Hi guys,
Picked up a portamig 171 ac/dc 160amp tig yesterday and need to get it wired up in the garage.
What size cable do I need to run this sucker from or should I say what can I get away with for small runs?
Thanks,
Its got a 32amp plug on it and I can wire up the correct 32amp socket but I'm interested in the total draw at max amps as I have about 3mm thick wiring going into the garage. I would not have anything else on at the same time just a light and the welder.
I'm looking at the data plate and am I right in thinking it draws 22amp at 240v on max load??
thanks guys, alot of people are running 16amp welders on 13amp supplies, do you think I'll be ok running this on 3mm cable. 2.5mm is good for 20amp so 3mm should be a bit more.
What sort of thickness can this welder achive with good penitration on 135amp? About max 4mm steel / aluminium?
Its a rented house and garage is separated so just laying a new cable under patio is a bit difficult cos its not my place.
Cable is sized in CSA (cross section area) not diameter e.g. 2.5mm² and in standard sizes, 1.5, 2.5, 4.0mm² etc.
The current you can draw is dependant on the size, length and how it is run amongst other things, so a bit of measuring is needed before we can give advice.
I think that I don't need to bother its got 2.5mm2 cabling into the garage and I know I can't run 32 amps through that only 20amp total including lights. However for the TIG welding I want to do, I think I’ll be fine as a probably won't weld over 80amp and that only draws 13amp from 240v.
No point in worrying about draw on max power, when I'll never use it on max power. If I need the full 160amp, I'll lay a 6mm2 armoured cable from the main fuse box in the house.
Thanks all.