Wiring Question 200dx

[Rus T1]

I just received my new 200dx this past week and it looks great. I haven't used it yet because I still have to wire in a
240v outlet. Everlast told me I would need a 40 amp breaker. A 40 amp breaker requires a 8-2ga. wire.
What I don't understand is that the plug wire coming out of the welding machine is only a 12-2ga. wire.
I am not an electrician, but this just doesn't make sense to me. Will someone please give me some input on this concern?

[zoama]

I just received my new 200dx this past week and it looks great. I haven't used it yet because I still have to wire in a
240v outlet. Everlast told me I would need a 40 amp breaker. A 40 amp breaker requires a 8-2ga. wire.
What I don't understand is that the plug wire coming out of the welding machine is only a 12-2ga. wire.
I am not an electrician, but this just doesn't make sense to me. Will someone please give me some input on this concern?

Read the online manual http://www.everlastgenerators.com/do...200-DX-NEW.pdf

The machine only uses 26 amps at full power on a 60% duty cycle with less than 31 amps inrush... in spec for 12ga wire.

[performance]

Additionally you can use this NEC table to determine actual requirement. The multiplying factor is multiplied by the max rated amps ( running amps not inrush). Wire diameter requirement is derated according to duty cycle.

[Rus T1]

[QUOTE=zoama585;48761]Read the online manual http://www.everlastgenerators.com/do...200-DX-NEW.pdf

Zoama,
I see where the machine only uses 26 amps at full power on a 60% duty cycle with less than 31 amps inrush.
I don't see the spects for the 12ga wire. I thought 12ga was good up to 20 amps. and 10ga up to 30amps.

Mark,
I am showing my ignorance here, but I don't understand the wiring size from the Chart I am looking at.

Sportsbike,
I am not hard wiring the welder directly into the circuit. But if I understand you correctly, I don't need the 40amp
breaker,but could use a 30amp and 10ga instead? I already have the 10-2ga wire available . But if I use the 40amp breaker I will need to buy the 8-2ga wire. Is that correct?

Again Guys , I am not an electrician. Please bare with me.

[Rambozo]

Yes, if you wire a 30 amp circuit you can usually use 10 ga. Check your local code for the specifics on what is required in your area.
Yes, if you want a 40 amp breaker, you will need 8 ga. minimum.
The chart posted was the NEC section on derating wire for welders with limited duty cycles. It only applies to extension and input cords, not building wiring, as Sportbike mentioned. That chart is why the machine only has a 12 ga. input cord, even though it can draw 31 amps. Basically you size the wire to control heat. In a nutshell, because welders can't run at full power constantly, they give the wire time to cool off, so a smaller wire can be used. What it means for you is that you can use slightly smaller extension cords than the amp draw, and distance, would normally dictate.

[Rus T1]

Yes, if you wire a 30 amp circuit you can usually use 10 ga. Check your local code for the specifics on what is required in your area.
Yes, if you want a 40 amp breaker, you will need 8 ga. minimum.
The chart posted was the NEC section on derating wire for welders with limited duty cycles. It only applies to extension and input cords, not building wiring, as Sportbike mentioned. That chart is why the machine only has a 12 ga. input cord, even though it can draw 31 amps. Basically you size the wire to control heat. In a nutshell, because welders can't run at full power constantly, they give the wire time to cool off, so a smaller wire can be used. What it means for you is that you can use slightly smaller extension cords than the amp draw, and distance, would normally dictate.

Thanks Rambozo, I think I understand a little better now. I guess I will buy some 8ga. and use the 40 amp breaker
just for the added safety factor. Will the 10ga. work for an extension cord?

[Rambozo]

Thanks Rambozo, I think I understand a little better now. I guess I will buy some 8ga. and use the 40 amp breaker
just for the added safety factor. Will the 10ga. work for an extension cord?

That will work fine.

[sportbike]

Thanks Rambozo, I think I understand a little better now. I guess I will buy some 8ga. and use the 40 amp breaker
just for the added safety factor. Will the 10ga. work for an extension cord?

Plugging the welder into a 40A outlet doesn't really make things any "safer". If all you are going to use is the welder ont eh circuit, and as Rambozo noted, local requirements allow it, the 30A circuit should work just fine using the 10awg you have on hand.

Actually, one could argue that using the 10awg extension cord on a 40A circuit is less safe than on a 30A circuit. If the welder were to pull 40A for some reason, the hard wiring would be protected, but the extension would overheat.

[sportbike]

If you are going to put in a 40A circuit with a receptacle, you need to be sure the wiring will handle the full current capacity of the circuit and not derate it for a welder duty cycle. If you are hard wiring the welder, which I highly out you are, then you could derate the installation. De-rating with a receptacle is asking for trouble if you or anyone else plugs in something else.

A 30A circuit is adequate to operate a 200DX at full power, at least the previous version.

I use mine at full power connected to a ~110ft or so 10awg extension cord made from soow cord , plugged into my 30A 240V dryer outlet.

As for the 12 ga cord on the machine, the insulation is rated for high temperature and is adequate for protection of the cord, especially with current de-rating as Mark noted. It does make it a bit difficult to attach some plug strain relief's though as most of the plugs aren't intended for 12ga use.

John