Brought a Paton 160 and need help please!

[Kevlincs]

Hi guys,

I brought a Paton 160 to have a go at Tig and improve my current mig and I was told it came with a 3 pin plug.

However taking out the box today it's a 2 pin 16.

What's my best course of action please? I won't be running at high power so is there an adaptor? Or what socket will I need to run in to the fuse box?

I'll be ringing the supplier on Monday but something to stop the Mrs moaning tonight and tomorrow would be hugely appreciated please.

 

[Richiew]

Stick a 13 amp plug on it and don't trouble the top end too much.

 

[Ubique]

Cut it off and put a standard 13A plug on it, adaptors can be a source of problems at high current.

 

[Kevlincs]

Stick a 13 amp plug on it and don't trouble the top end too much.

Thanks. Is it just the standard 3 wires inside? Is that likely to cause issues with the warranty?

I won't be going high so that's not a concern. The ear bending I'm getting is though

 

[Kevlincs]

Cut it off and put a standard 13A plug on it, adaptors can be a source of problems at high current.

Thanks. I won't be running high power so that's not a concern

 

[Richiew]

Should be fine. Inverters draw less current than transformer types so you should get away with it.

 

[Kevlincs]

Should be fine. Inverters draw less current than transformer types so you should get away with it.

Thanks. Much appreciated. Trying to get some peace so simple solutions are good.

Thanks for your help

 

[Ubique]

Thanks. I won't be running high power so that's not a concern

I'd still cut it off & replace with a 13A plug, it's one less set of connections to cause problems in the years ahead. Euro plugs (CEE 7/3, 7/5 & 7/7) are 16A by default so don't read too much into the plug rating, it also means the machine is locally fused rather than relying on the MCB for the circuit.

 

[Kevlincs]

I'd still cut it off & replace with a 13A plug, it's one less set of connections to cause problems in the years ahead. Euro plugs (CEE 7/3, 7/5 & 7/7) are 16A by default so don't read too much into the plug rating, it also means the machine is locally fused rather than relying on the MCB for the circuit.

Thanks. Hugely appreciated

 

[Richiew]

Just to be clear. I agree with Ubique. Remove the 2 pin euro plug and fit a 13 amp jobbie.

Full disclosure, I do still have my Sherman Tig running off a euro plug to 13 amp adaptor without any ill effects so far. I am too lazy. I should get a blue plug stuck on it.

 

[Onthespotwelding]

You Should be able to go full bore on your 160amp inverter welder from 13a supply

 

[Richiew]

It will be a three wire cable. My Paton 250 was. Metal cased welder so you need the earth.

 

[AKN]

Thanks. Is it just the standard 3 wires inside? Is that likely to cause issues with the warranty?

I’m assuming that you got it from a UK seller, I’m not sure on the law if not, but the law of the land states that it must have a 13A plug on it so any problems with warranty I’d threaten them with Trading Standards.

 

[GRW]

When my welder came from WSD it was the same. They were happy for me to just cut the moulded one off and fit a uk 3-pin.

 

[Jim Davey]

I’m assuming that you got it from a UK seller, I’m not sure on the law if not, but the law of the land states that it must have a 13A plug on it so any problems with warranty I’d threaten them with Trading Standards.

You could do with checking your facts. It was supplied (not by me I might add) with a 16 amp European plug from new. The supplier is not duty bound to fit a plug at all although many do. Some also supply a fused 13 amp adaptor which simply clips over the plug.
The machine is a class 1 product which requires an earth (which it will have in the supply cable) the two pins of the plug are for live and neural but there will also be a strip of metal on each side of the plug which are connected to the earth wire/machine casing/chassis and mate with sprung contacts in a 16 amp Euro socket.
Fitting a 13 amp plug is a relatively safe thing to do in theory, if the load exceeds the supply fuses rating of 13 amps it will simply blow the fuse.
Problems can arise when plug tops get worn, fuse holders get loose and then they can start to overheat.
The supplier fits a plug he/she is bound by law to fit the correct plug (by correct I mean a plug of equal or greater current carrying capacity to the maximum input current requirements of the set) if they fit a plug they are responsible for it and should carry out a BS EN IEC 60974-4 2016 electrical safety test and record the results for proof should it be required later.
As this step is time consuming and requires a competent person and some relatively expensive test equipment many dealers opt to sidestep this potentially risky area of the transaction by leaving the factory fit plug on, and leaving responsibly to the customer to arrange the fitting of the correct plug and wall outlet.
Customer beware is the oft touted phrase here.
Personally I don’t agree with that sentiment, I believe a good dealer will ask the relevant background questions about available supply, intended usage, and make the client aware )if the aren't already) of what will be required to install a machine and be able to use it to its full potential.
This often means a customer has to rethink their plans for what set to buy when it becomes clear they need a 32 amp supply to run a 250 amp MIG etc, but I’d rather loose a sale than have someone try and bring the machine back a day later as they only have a 13a outlet in their lockup and can’t run the set the way they planned.

In the OP’s case I’d say put the 13 amp plug on if you’re comfortable/competent to do so to get you going. In the meantime enquire as to the cost of getting a suitable wall socket fitted by a qualified electrician.
Post up a picture of the data plate if you want some help confiding exactly what the supply requirements are.

 

[AKN]

You could do with checking your facts. It was supplied (not by me I might add) with a 16 amp European plug from new. The supplier is not duty bound to fit a plug at all although many do. Some also supply a fused 13 amp adaptor which simply clips over the plug.
The machine is a class 1 product which requires an earth (which it will have in the supply cable) the two pins of the plug are for live and neural but there will also be a strip of metal on each side of the plug which are connected to the earth wire/machine casing/chassis and mate with sprung contacts in a 16 amp Euro socket.
Fitting a 13 amp plug is a relatively safe thing to do in theory, if the load exceeds the supply fuses rating of 13 amps it will simply blow the fuse.
Problems can arise when plug tops get worn, fuse holders get loose and then they can start to overheat.
The supplier fits a plug he/she is bound by law to fit the correct plug (by correct I mean a plug of equal or greater current carrying capacity to the maximum input current requirements of the set) if they fit a plug they are responsible for it and should carry out a BS EN IEC 60974-4 2016 electrical safety test and record the results for proof should it be required later.
As this step is time consuming and requires a competent person and some relatively expensive test equipment many dealers opt to sidestep this potentially risky area of the transaction by leaving the factory fit plug on, and leaving responsibly to the customer to arrange the fitting of the correct plug and wall outlet.
Customer beware is the oft touted phrase here.
Personally I don’t agree with that sentiment, I believe a good dealer will ask the relevant background questions about available supply, intended usage, and make the client aware )if the aren't already) of what will be required to install a machine and be able to use it to its full potential.
This often means a customer has to rethink their plans for what set to buy when it becomes clear they need a 32 amp supply to run a 250 amp MIG etc, but I’d rather loose a sale than have someone try and bring the machine back a day later as they only have a 13a outlet in their lockup and can’t run the set the way they planned.

In the OP’s case I’d say put the 13 amp plug on if you’re comfortable/competent to do so to get you going. In the meantime enquire as to the cost of getting a suitable wall socket fitted by a qualified electrician.
Post up a picture of the data plate if you want some help confiding exactly what the supply requirements are.

Facts duels checked:
Statutory Instrument 1994 No. 1768
The Plugs and Sockets etc. (Safety) Regulations 1994
requires all portable equipment to be fitted with a 13 A plug I would consider a <200A inverter welder porttabl.

I do agree with you that a good dealer would make sure the equipment was fit for use including the appropriate connections.

 

[Jim Davey]

It’s not a portable appliance. It’s a arc welding machine covered by an entirely different standard that I referred to. Just because you can pick it up and move it around doesn’t mean it follows that it is classed as a portable appliance.
And this is why many dealers want to sidestep this whole debate by leaving plug choice to be the client’s responsibility to decide.

 

[AKN]

It’s not a portable appliance. It’s a arc welding machine covered by an entirely different standard that I referred to. Just because you can pick it up and move it around doesn’t mean it follows that it is classed as a portable appliance.
And this is why many dealers want to sidestep this whole debate by leaving plug choice to be the client’s responsibility to decide.

If the welding equipment is fitted with a flexible power cord, is designed to operate on standard mains voltage and has a current consumption of less than 13 A then under Statutory Instrument 1994 No. 1768 it is required by law to be supplied with either a correctly fitted mains plug to BS1363 or, if fitted with a euro plug, an approved adapter which can only be removed with the use of a tool. There is no exemption for welding equipment in Statutory Instrument 1994 No. 1768.

 

[Richiew]

Yes but it draws more than 13 amps so it doesn't fall under it. You can get away with a 13 amp plug but the manual states it needs more.

 

[Richiew]

Rated supply on that welder is 19-21 amps. Bit higher than I expected.