Can I swap plugs?

[F.J.]

Hi all,

Apologies if this is in the wrong section and also if this seems to be a daft question.

I have a Lincoln Electric 350 Compact which has the large three phase plug on it. I may have to take it to one of my customers workshops only they have the smaller three phase socket!

Is it possible to buy an adaptor from big to small or will I have to change plugs?

This is where it may seem to be a silly question, why are there two sizes?

Thanks
Dean

 

[madkayaker]

Different current ratings. You could make up an adaptor but there is a chance of overloading there wiring. How big is this mig as the only mig I've seen with a 32 amp three phase plug was really a single phase that kept melting 13amp plugs

 

[amron]

There are 3 sizes of plugs. 16A, 32A and 63A. they all have 5 pins (3phase,n and gnd) they are according to the Din standards and I guess you are using the same. from my experience, only the heavy high current machines, ca. 400A and more, are equipped with the 63A plug. (you can see the current consumption on the machine's plate. 200 to 400A are equipped with 32A plugs and the small machines have 16A plugs. I suggest that you'll look up the machine's plate or Lincoln's site in order to find out how much current your machine draws. maybe that the socket that you want to connect to not able to supply you the desired current.

 

[madkayaker]

Need to add to that 125a plugs and bigger! Also they come in 4 pin configuration with 3ph and earth

 

[armalites]

Answer to this is going to lie with the site configuration.

If there breakers are correctly matched to the outlet sizes and wiring then it shouldn't be an issue.

You can make an adapter to step down the plug size.

If you machine machine goes above the rating the it should trip the breaker, no harm done.

Cables and plugs have a continuous rating but generally have short term peak ratings too.

Modern breakers are very good(assuming they have them). I have to sets of sockets in my workshop, One on a 32A and one on a 16A.

If I forget and use the 16A the pressure washer,plasma can all trip the breaker even though they have are on standard 3 pin(molded factoryy plug)

 

[Robotstar5]

Need to add to that 125a plugs and bigger! Also they come in 4 pin configuration with 3ph and earth

We even had some 6 pole 16A plugs/sockets at one place I worked, never found out what they were used for though.

 

[madkayaker]

We even had some 6 pole 16A plugs/sockets at one place I worked, never found out what they were used for though.

Pilot pin?

 

[F.J.]

Cheers guys,

I'll check on my welder to see what current it draws. However, the work I will be doing isn't continuous so I don't think ill be tripping any switches.

I had a feeling the bigger plugs would have something to do with the size of machine, come to think of it where I used to work had a 215 Cebora mig (the smallest in the shop) up to a Lincoln CV (if memory serves me right) 450 amp mig and they had one three phase extension lead made with a small socket for the cebora and a big plug on the other end to plug into the mains.

 

[Wedg1e]

Need to add to that 125a plugs and bigger! Also they come in 4 pin configuration with 3ph and earth

Too right, I installed a mag. particle inspection bench at Martin-Baker (the ejector seat people) last year, that uses a 125A Commando plug.

 

[madkayaker]

Cheers guys,

I'll check on my welder to see what current it draws. However, the work I will be doing isn't continuous so I don't think ill be tripping any switches.

I had a feeling the bigger plugs would have something to do with the size of machine, come to think of it where I used to work had a 215 Cebora mig (the smallest in the shop) up to a Lincoln CV (if memory serves me right) 450 amp mig and they had one three phase extension lead made with a small socket for the cebora and a big plug on the other end to plug into the mains.

often the plug size is a case of whats laying around or a guess from cable size as often machine will come without a plug

 

[F.J.]

often the plug size is a case of whats laying around or a guess from cable size as often machine will come without a plug

Too true, which could mean my welder my well in fact have the wrong plug on?

 

[madkayaker]

The data plate needs looking at. As a personal choice if it was say 18 amps I would stick in on 16 if that's a common size you use. Same as my 9inch grinder that came with a 32A on it but transformer and all the rest of my 110v is 16amp it has never caused an issue