Power Supply Requirements...

[Buggerlugs]

At the moment, I'm using welders that can easily be run on 240V 13A plugs and sockets.

If I ever decide to run something heavier that requires a 16 Amp plug and socket, am I correct in thinking I need the following?

A 16 amp industrial socket and plug, 32 Amp isolator switch, 4mm or 6mm twin and earth cable, plus a 32 Amp RCD type C?

 

[Erie Fred]

what are your plans of welding ?

 

[hotponyshoes]

I'm no electrician but I'd think you'd want a 16a breaker for a 16a socket.

 

[Buggerlugs]

what are your plans of welding ?

4mm rods MMA or MIG at 160 amps or so.

 

[Buggerlugs]

I'm no electrician but I'd think you'd want a 16a breaker for a 16a socket.

I'm trust trying to remember what I had set up 17 years ago for welding 4mm E6013s, etc
That was for a 160Amp AC buzz box, but I'd run something more modern like an inverter, etc.

 

[Robotstar5]

2.5mm T&E fed from a 16A RCD would supply a 16A socket

 

[hotponyshoes]

I'm trust trying to remember what I had set up 17 years ago for welding 4mm E6013s, etc
That was for a 160Amp AC buzz box, but I'd run something more modern like an inverter, etc.

Most modern stuff upto 200a output or so will run from a 16a socket.
In your first post you said a 16a socket and 32a rcd.
I think the rcd needs to be the same (or lower) rating as the socket (so 16a rcd)

However, there are plenty of machines (not just welders) that can pull 20a+ (even modern inverters) so personally, for the little extra cost involved I'd fit a 32a socket.
Having said that, it's wasting money if you never need the extra power and it's not exactly impossible to upgrade again if you ever do..

 

[Buggerlugs]

Most modern stuff upto 200a output or so will run from a 16a socket.
In your first post you said a 16a socket and 32a rcd.
I think the rcd needs to be the same (or lower) rating as the socket (so 16a rcd)

However, there are plenty of machines (not just welders) that can pull 20a+ (even modern inverters) so personally, for the little extra cost involved I'd fit a 32a socket.
Having said that, it's wasting money if you never need the extra power and it's not exactly impossible to upgrade again if you ever do..

Would it definitely need to still be a type C or would a modern type B do?

This is the type that's installed at the moment, for sockets, etc. Obviously, I'd get a separate one.

 

[Dave-sparks]

A 16 amp industrial socket and plug, 32 Amp isolator switch, 4mm or 6mm twin and earth cable, plus a 32 Amp RCD type C?

You need 16A protection for a 16A sockets, a 16A RCBO would be best although you could use separate MCB and RCD if necessary.
As far as tripping curve goes a C type would be better if the circuit has a low enough Zs for it.

 

[Buggerlugs]

You need 16A protection for a 16A sockets, a 16A RCBO would be best although you could use separate MCB and RCD if necessary.
As far as tripping curve goes a C type would be better if the circuit has a low enough Zs for it.

That makes far more sense. My brain cells and memory must be dying off.

 

[brightspark]

2.5mm T&E fed from a 16A RCD would supply a 16A socket

yep well enough 2.5 is rated to 28 amps 1.5mm will take 16

 

[zzr1200]

If your going to fit a 240 Volt Blue Socket, I'd recommend spending a little bit more and upgrade to a full 32 amp circuit, that way if you ever decide to buy a larger welder mig, tig, or 50(+) amp plasma cutter or compressor, you'll already have the wiring installed. There's no law that says you can't run a 16 amp welder of off a 32 amp supply socket the breaker will still detect any problem.

 

[brightspark]

If your going to fit a 240 Volt Blue Socket, I'd recommend spending a little bit more and upgrade to a full 32 amp circuit, that way if you ever decide to buy a larger welder mig, tig, or 50(+) amp plasma cutter or compressor, you'll already have the wiring installed. There's no law that says you can't run a 16 amp welder of off a 32 amp supply socket the breaker will still detect any problem.

thats all verry well as long as you fit a 16 amp mcb in and not a 32 amp as the welder will only have 2,5mm flex on it and if the welder develops a fault inside it wont do it any favours being double its rating

 

[hotponyshoes]

If your going to fit a 240 Volt Blue Socket, I'd recommend spending a little bit more and upgrade to a full 32 amp circuit, that way if you ever decide to buy a larger welder mig, tig, or 50(+) amp plasma cutter or compressor, you'll already have the wiring installed. There's no law that says you can't run a 16 amp welder of off a 32 amp supply socket the breaker will still detect any problem.

I don't know about the regulations for home use. And that'd what i do in my own place.
I only have 32a and 13a sockets.
Then I have a large selection of adapters that let me connect pretty much anything to anything.

One thing to point out though, If a machine comes fitted with 1.5mm cable and you stick a 32a plug on the end then there is a potential risk of that cable catching fire if the cable or machine get damaged.

I'm quite happy to do my own risk assessment on the setup I use when I'm working alone in an isolated area.
Might assess it differently if I was working in a double garage attached to the house my kids slept in..

 

[hotponyshoes]

thats all verry well as long as you fit a 16 amp mcb in and not a 32 amp as the welder will only have 2,5mm flex on it and if the welder develops a fault inside it wont do it any favours being double its rating

Brightspark posted this while I was typing.
That would be the best solution, 32a socket with a 16a breaker (but buy a 32a breaker at rhe same time incase your board is obsolete when you want to run a bigger machine from it!)

I'm not sure if there is any way to properly cover all bases. For example, I have mig welders that pull 22-25a (so will trip a 16a) but come factory fitted with 2.5mm cable.
No practical way of increasing the cable size without butchering the casework.

I suppose good workshop practice is a good idea, make sure machines are well fixed onto sturdy carts that can't be pulled over.
Don't drag a sheet of metal over an extension lead and so on..

 

[Dave-sparks]

I'm not sure if there is any way to properly cover all bases. For example, I have mig welders that pull 22-25a (so will trip a 16a) but come factory fitted with 2.5mm cable.
No practical way of increasing the cable size without butchering the casework.

You shouldn't need to change the cable size, a 32A MCB should protect a 2.5mm flex against fault. It is only overload that it won't protect against and protection against that should be within the machine.