Extension leads

[Pipe Dreamer]

(Nood question.)
Is there any issue running a standard mains extension lead to a welder?
Mine new welder has a very heavy duty mains cable, relative to everything else I have in The Shed, and considerably thicker than a standard domestic/garage/shed mains extension lead.

 

[123hotchef]

depends on length of lead don't ever leaved them reeled up either when in use

 

[Robotstar5]

You can use a standard extension cable but the welder may not work properly or pop the fuse in the plug. The first thing to check is what current does the welder draw?, (should be on a data plate on the welder) then we can advise on extension lead sizes.

 

[Pipe Dreamer]

I wondered about induction and heat with a lead on a reel. Good to have that confirmed.

The machine is rated at 16A input and 200A output. I'm not anticipating going anywhere nead 200A so I'm assuming it won't draw anywhere near 16A either.

 

[Robotstar5]

Make yourself an extension lead with 2.5mm² blue arctic cable, should do the job. Example (electrical wholesalers could be cheaper and may sell cut lengths)

 

[Pipe Dreamer]

Make yourself an extension lead with 2.5mm² blue arctic cable ...

Presumably there's no issue using (robust) "domestic" mains plugs?

 

[gaz1]

the thicker black extension i have works really well but the thin wire extension i wouldnt use

if possible could you use the blue plugs with a new 16 amp fuse for consumer unit would be best but not always an option

 

[Robotstar5]

Presumably there's no issue using (robust) "domestic" mains plugs?

The lead will be limited by the 13A fuse fitted, 2.5mm² is the max you can get into a 13A plug top. Might be worth considering Commando type plugs/sockets and a proper outlet for them?.

 

[chunkolini]

I have run my Butters 180amp welder for years on a 13amp extension lead with no problems. I rarely ru it at full whack but it does run for long periods in the mid range with no problems

 

[Pipe Dreamer]

Thanks all!

... blue plugs with a new 16 amp fuse for consumer unit would be best ...

The consumer unit in The Shed has 16A anyway, and that's piggy backed of a 32A in the house. The mains plug is the weakest link at the moment.

... Might be worth considering Commando type plugs/sockets and a proper outlet for them?.

A possibility in a few months when The Shed gets rebuilt.

Silly question are blue / Commando plugs fused?

I have run my Butters 180amp welder for years on a 13amp extension lead with no problems.

I hoped someone would pipe up with something like that.

 

[Lufbramatt]

I made one that I only use for the welder when I need to run it off a 13a socket

H07rnf 2.5mm rubber cable, MK Toughplug on one end and an MK commando socket on the other, works a treat.

 

[Country Joe]

Silly question are blue / Commando plugs fused?

No.

 

[rtbcomp]

I wondered about induction and heat with a lead on a reel. Good to have that confirmed.

...

Induction isn't a problem but resistance is. The heat generated will be the same if the lead is extended or reeled, but in the latter case the heat is concentrated in the reel, this causes a temperature rise and the cable will melt.

 

[Pipe Dreamer]

Induction isn't a problem but resistance is.

My bad. I meant impedance. I think. It's a quater of a century since I studied electrical theory.

 

[Richard.]

Obviously the leccys on here will be able to give you the accurate info you need but I would say it very much depends on your machine. Some are a lot better on supplies than others even equally matched ones on there input/out put rating.
All 3 of my tig sets are rated to over 200 amps and want a minimum of 16amps input to do it yet I've maxed them all out on a 13 amp plug in the wall. I've ran them 15-20mtrs of 1.5mm2 extension leads when I've needed to and it's not been a problem for me. That said I've had 200 amp machines round at mine on my tuition sessions, again rated to 16 amps that have Tripp the mains on strike up. Try it out and see how yours goes.
Use a decent cable, use the minimum length needed and always unwind it fully. After that you can only try.

 

[Kent]

Best thing besides a 16amp hook up it a commando 13amp plug on the shortest bit of the heaviest cable with a 16 amp female on the end. Put a bigger artic blue on your extention lead and a 16amp male, 16 amp female the other and a 16 male on the welder cable.
It's not just popping 13amp fuses (I carry a load of them on such jobs) it's welder fade! 2.5mm rods will be fine, 3.2 will pop a few fuses and 4mm I shouldn't bother.

 

[addjunkie]

[QUOTE="Richard., post: 957611, member
All 3 of my tig sets are rated to over 200 amps[/QUOTE]

Intriuged.....why three you only have one pair of hands!

 

[Richard.]

I have had an Esab origo 200 hf dc for about 5 years. It's a gorgeous little welder for dc travel jobs.
I have the mw2200 which I bought because it was right price at right time and I always wanted a 2200 since owning the excellent 2000.
I have a tweco arcmaster 2200 ac dc which I had no intention of buying and no need to own it but it was one of those very rare moments where something is pretty much given away and left me no choice but to take it.
So I have 3 but in reality the mw2200 is the only one I need and the one that gets the most use.

 

[Pipe Dreamer]

Best thing besides a 16amp hook up it a commando 13amp plug on the shortest bit of the heaviest cable with a 16 amp female on the end. Put a bigger artic blue on your extention lead and a 16amp male, 16 amp female the other and a 16 male on the welder cable.
It's not just popping 13amp fuses (I carry a load of them on such jobs) it's welder fade! 2.5mm rods will be fine, 3.2 will pop a few fuses and 4mm I shouldn't bother.

Just to clarify …
16A plug = commando? Right?
and you're suggesting …
[13A domestic plug][heavy duty cable][commamdo inline socket] and then a commando plug on the lead hardwired to the welder?

Is arctic blue resistant to anything other than cold? And how is it different to arctic yellow?
(I think that makes sense, from what I've read.)

 

[Robotstar5]

Just to clarify …
16A plug = commando? Right? correct
and you're suggesting …
[13A domestic plug][heavy duty cable][commamdo inline socket] and then a commando plug on the lead hardwired to the welder?

Is arctic blue resistant to anything other than cold? And how is it different to arctic yellow?
(I think that makes sense, from what I've read.)

Arctic blue is "rough service" cable and blue denotes 230V, yellow is used for 110V