30 amp breaker for PM205

[www]

Getting close to ordering a PM 205. I have purchased my argon tank and I am wanting to make sure my 30 amp 220 outlet is going to be ok.
I don't plan on ever going over 5/16" of thickness for plasma cut or welding with this unit. Hope to use for both mild steel and aluminum. I have a 50 ft extention cord that will plug in from my receptical to the unit itself. Is this too long and is the 30 amp eneough? ....thanks wayne

[performance]

That is just enough, actually a little under, but I think,(maybe a electrician can weigh in) that the breaker is still within acceptable limits.

Now the extension cord is another matter. What gauge do you have? It would need to be a minimum of 8 gauge wire for that distance run.

[Tallguy64]

It wouldnt be hard to chage the 30 to a 40 amp breaker but the only concern would be come what is the gauge of wire and how far does it run to the plug.

Is this plug put in for the welder or other 220 shop equipment or is it something like a dryer plug?

[retusaf99]

It wouldnt be hard to chage the 30 to a 40 amp breaker but the only concern would be come what is the gauge of wire and how far does it run to the plug.

I'm not an electrician, but PLEASE don't even think about changing to a larger breaker unless you know exactly what you are doing, and are taking into consideration the wiring that runs from the breaker to the outlet. The breaker is there to protect the wiring (as in keep it from melting and causing a fire.)

As far as I've been able to tell, welders are a special case in the electrical codes. Because welders have a limited duty cycle (say 40% or 60%), a higher amperage may be OK compared to something like a dryer.

Remember the power cord on a PM 205 is only 12 gauge. That does NOT mean you can run a 12 ga extension cord to it. Running an undersized extension cord will result in a voltage drop that will damage the electronics in the welder,

I hope someone with better credentials can step in to make recommendations.

Doug in Vancouver

[www]

thanks so far folks.....to answer a few questions to your responses the extention cord is 12/4 90 c cable. I have 30 amp plugs on it and I could shorten the length to 25' if this will help for keeping my welder in good condition. I realize that the thickness of this cable is not idea but I am thinking I will not be running the welder under load for long periods of time but not really sure if I should spend the money on an extra length of thicker cable. I have this cable allready as it is something I have use for going from my generator which has a 30 amp type plug receptical but it only outputs I think 20 amps. I was hoping to use the same cable for both applications but if I need to shorten it or buy thicker cable I will. If I buy thicker cable How thick and how long?.....iI would like it to be atleast 25 feet to go from my receptical to outside of my workshop. ....wayne

[performance]

You'll need 10 gauge to go 25 feet. 12 gauge is only good for 20 amps at 25 feet.

[www]

Ten gauge it is then.....thank you Mark

[www]

Mark is there any chance of ordering the unit with a 20 foot 10 gauge cord? If I can get the unit with a 20 foot cord I wont have to worry about an extension cord and I think 20 feet will do the trick......thanks wayne

[Ray]

SO much controversy over power cords.
Here's what I ended up doing..

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00..._luc_sbs_02_02

Switch over (everything)to the NEMA 6-50 plugs, what’s commonly referred to as a NEMA welder plug, (it's what the Big M puts on there’s) here's a link to 25' 8/3 cord with molded on 6-50p and 6-50r lighted ends, rated at 50A for pretty cheep. ($66)The male ends can be found on Amazon as well for about $12. the L14-30 plugs are commonly used on generators if you go that route but they are only 'rated' at 30A. If you want over 50A it's a big step to something like a Hubble 4100 (100A) like a couple hundred bucks for the connectors.

Just MHO. Take it or leave it.

Ray

[Ray]

Woha, here's another for only $50 with a right angle connector on the wall end.

http://www.amazon.com/Century%C2%AE-...ref=pd_cp_hi_2

Ray

[performance]

Wayne,

No, there is no option. Power cords on units are configured for amps and voltage with certain lengths and duty cycles. This is part of CSA and CE standards. It has a considerable length on the cord now. A lot of name brand units do not have the length we have.

The best solution, is the more expensive one and the safest. Install additional outlets within the proximity of where the machine will be used the most.

[everlastsupport]

SO much controversy over power cords.
Here's what I ended up doing..

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00..._luc_sbs_02_02

Switch over (everything)to the NEMA 6-50 plugs, what’s commonly referred to as a NEMA welder plug, (it's what the Big M puts on there’s) here's a link to 25' 8/3 cord with molded on 6-50p and 6-50r lighted ends, rated at 50A for pretty cheep. ($66)The male ends can be found on Amazon as well for about $12. the L14-30 plugs are commonly used on generators if you go that route but they are only 'rated' at 30A. If you want over 50A it's a big step to something like a Hubble 4100 (100A) like a couple hundred bucks for the connectors.

Just MHO. Take it or leave it.

Ray

That will be my next step. The old plugs I use are hard to get anymore. I like the price on the extension cord, so I think I will do they same. I have about 7 50 amp plugs at $22 each. Ouch.

[performance]

A regular 6-50 plug should be in the neighborhood of 15-22 bucks locally. The receptacle may actually be cheaper for some reason where I am.