Clarke 160TM mig: how to connect power cable.

[tharriso]

Hello

I have the above welder and need to wire up the power cord, it has three wires brown, blue and yellow/green.

What kind of plug do I need to get to wire it into?
And does it then go into a normal household socket?

This is the manual:
http://www.clarkeservice.co.uk/manuals/mig_welders/mig160tm.pdf

I do not know how electric works so do not assume anything.

Screwfix is round the corner so links to what to buy off their site would be very helpful.

Thanks
Tony

 

[Nufkamp]

Have you really never fitted a 3 pin plug to an appliance?

 

[tharriso]

No, I do not know how electric works. What do I need to get?

 

[PTvor]

This

http://www.screwfix.com/p/tough-black-plug-13a/68744

But you'd be better with an old MK plug rescued from something.

These will be handy.

http://www.screwfix.com/p/13a-fuse-pack-of-10/62239


And here's a video showing how to do it.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yx64z6z1d5U

 

[rtbcomp]

An electrician?

Sorry mate, couldn't resist it, welcome to the forum.

It says in the manual that it needs a 16A supply, that means one of these on the wall

http://www.screwfix.com/p/mk-commando-interlocked-angled-socket-2p-e-16a-200-250v-ip44/40962

and one of these on the welder cord

http://www.screwfix.com/p/ced-240v-2-pin-earth-blue-plug/20201

The socket would most likely be have to be wired back to the consumer unit, which will need to be fitted with the correct circuit breakers - definitely a job for an electrician.

At a pinch you could fit a 13A plug on the cord, but you may not be able to get maximum welding current.

Buy a good quality mains plug with a 13A fuse fitted, it should have a card with it showing where the wires go, but the mains cord may be too thick to fit the cable grip.

If you've really never wired a plug before I would strongly recommend getting someone who can do it properly, this job is not for beginners.

 

[rtbcomp]

You could get an adaptor cable and a 16A plug, that would tide you over until you got a 16A socket installed.

http://www.towsure.com/product/Mains_Adapter_13_Amp_Plug_to_Caravan_Mains_Socket

but you will still be limited to the 13A max. current draw.

 

[Jim_gsxr1000]

Get somone that knows what they are doing to fit the plug...
lack of knowlage + electics = Hair standing on end !

Brown goes to the Fuse which will be to the right if you are looking in the back of a 13A plug, green/yellow will go to the top and blue will go to the left

This realy needs a 16A plug fitted!

 

[PTvor]

The way to connect it to the mains properly, boots and braces, is as rtbcomp and Clarke suggest with a 16 amp industrial style plug and socket which will require a dedicated connection to the consumer unit. If you haven't got one installed, and you probably haven't, it will cost quite a lot to have an electrician install one.

If you are using it on the lower settings for car body work etc, a 13 A plug should be fine. If you are using it on the highest settings, it will blow 13A fuses from time to time.

 

[defender dan]

I run my clarke 160tm welder from my sheds 13a socket no problem. It`s only when it`s on the max settings & doing quick tacks/short runs that I`ve blown the occasional fuse, but if your`re worried about it & are likely to use it on it`s max settings frequently then it`s best to get a dedicated 16a socket properly wired up.

Regard`s, Dan

 

[drjim]

My 160TM has a 13A plug on. Currently on third plug as it kept getting driven over, squashed, battered or otherwise broken. Never blown a fuse though.