Biggest welding set i can run from home

[WorkshopChris]

There are a few factors to consider, Your incoming supply fuse size, Any large loads in the house to be considered, the most important is the size and type of incoming supply to the property and how your loading will affect any neighbours.

Just looking into it ,a guy i know gets hold of lots of 2nd hand machines in good nick but i dont know what size i can run

As hood said probably around 180/200 amp secondhand not many 400 amp machines around used as normally built to order.

 

[daleyd]

If your having electrics put in have a word with the sparky doing the job and ask him to put in the biggest supply possible. He’ll know the spare capacity in the fuseboard and work out the cable sizes etc for you.

Ive got a 40a supply to my garage, feeding a separate board for sockets, lights and a separate 32a socket.

 

[Ashley Burton]

On single phase? What was the fuse for in the fuse board

Yeah single phase, 40 amp fuse in the main consumer unit to the garage.

4mm armoured cable from the house to the garage

 

[D.wilson94]

If your having electrics put in have a word with the sparky doing the job and ask him to put in the biggest supply possible. He’ll know the spare capacity in the fuseboard and work out the cable sizes etc for you.

Ive got a 40a supply to my garage, feeding a separate board for sockets, lights and a separate 32a socket.

Thankyou

 

[brightspark]

[

Yeah single phase, 40 amp fuse in the main consumer unit to the garage.

4mm armoured cable from the house to the garage

4.0mm should be rated to 32 amp

 

[Ashley Burton]

[
4.0mm should be rated to 32 amp

I'm never going to exceed 32 amp with my usage, Not got any heavy machinery like most other people on here!

 

[brightspark]

I'm never going to exceed 32 amp with my usage, Not got any heavy machinery like most other people on here!

no problem just saying 4mm should be from a 32 amp mcb not 42

 

[Ashley Burton]

no problem just saying should be fed from a 32 amp mcb not 42

I know exactly what your say

 

[Hood]

[
4.0mm should be rated to 32 amp

I was sure the 4mm² SWA I put out to the plasma shed was rated 42Amps, will have to check.

 

[Hood]

Yes says 42Amp non metalic surface and 44 cable bridge (whatever that means ) the higher rating may of course be because it is SWA?

 

[Ashley Burton]

Yes says 42Amp non metalic surface and 44 cable bridge (whatever that means ) the higher rating may of course be because it is SWA?


View attachment 153564

Thing is your Plasma really going to be running flat out?

 

[Hood]

Thing is your Plasma really going to be running flat out?

No, well yes it is running at full whack on the dial but No it is not drawing 42Amps, I have either a 16 or 32 Amp breaker in, can't remember, but was just curious at the cable ratings.

 

[brightspark]

flat twin and earth buried in walls or in conduit

 

[Hood]

flat twin and earth buried in walls or in conduit

Ah ok, thought it may be something like that.

 

[brightspark]

it varies with cable type and installation and length . go to tlc cable calculator .type in your details and installation and cable type and load and it will tell you what you require

 

[Hood]

it varies with cable type and installation and length

Like everything else I suppose there are so many variables. I do know a lot of the marine cables have a very thin insulation on them but they are higher current rated than the older type insulation and I think the SWA nowadays is similar.

 

[Maker]

Probably the biggest you can get at home;

500 Amp tig from a single phase supply.

You'll probably want 30mm^2 cable in the wall to supply it with the 170 amps it'll draw on a 230v.


You want one? I know a guy.

 

[brightspark]

Like everything else I suppose there are so many variables. I do know a lot of the marine cables have a very thin insulation on them but they are higher current rated than the older type insulation and I think the SWA nowadays is similar.

yes xlpe cable has a higher current rating than the old pvc armoured cable the insulation is a lot thinner on the new stuff

 

[Rig Pig]

Thankyou

Another useful thought is what you intend to do with the welder, massive industrial machines don't always go low enough for car bodywork or other thin metal.

 

[D.wilson94]

Probably the biggest you can get at home;
View attachment 153575
500 Amp tig from a single phase supply.

You'll probably want 30mm^2 cable in the wall to supply it with the 170 amps it'll draw on a 230v.


You want one? I know a guy.

Yeah i do how much