single phase

[The Buddah]

Hello,

I need pointing in the right direction when it comes to phases as i intend to purchase a potamig 185 but the specification states single phase.

Is a single phase the type of electric suply you get from your socket in your house, if so why do some welder specifications say you need single phase and others say runs on 13a suply in order to run the welder?

Thanks.

Mike.

 

[FranV8]

Mike,.there are two types of power, 3 phase (uses 3 different live wires and is industrial power), or single phase that is what we all have in the home.

Beware though, although 13a sockets are a type of single.phase, as you get more powerful welding equipment, you quickly need a more powerful supply, which means special sockets potentially wired direct from your fusebox.

For example, if I'd gone bigger than my 160 amp TIG it would have needed a bigger special single phase supply, say 16a or 23a.

Some people do have 3 phase at home, but it's rare and expensive to add.

Hth

Francis.

 

[James325]

Single phase is what you find in your house. It's the type of supply, 240v ac and the 13amp plug refers to the fact you can use it at home. 3-phase electrics are normally found in factorys and workshops, 415V ac

Although my portamig 185 would pop a 13amp fuse when set to full power! So I now have a 16amp dedicated supply.

In other words, It will be fine!

 

[madkayaker]

some houses do have three phase as it years gone back the electricity boards was very lazy with houses that were out in the sticks a bit and would run a three phase head so that any future houses could be tapped off that instead of a new cable most of the continuant have 3ph in there homes but alot lower than our 100A. if you start running big single phase kit be careful that you don't over load the system especially with electric cookers and shower. it can be a silly price to get three phase have seen quotes in the excess of £30K

 

[The Buddah]

ok,

Thank you all, but im still not sure about the power because if the portamig is 185a and i want to weld 2 x 3mm steal together with a lap joint its like welding 6mm.....so will my house hold suply be sufficient to do the job.
If not does this mean that i can olny weld thin peices of steel at home.

Mike

 

[madkayaker]

on a 16A socket that would be fine and the house would manage that no bother. its when you start asking for 45A or more that things get dicey

 

[chunkolini]

I have been running my welder, a Butters 180amp model for 5 years on a 13amp fused extension lead, never tripped a fuse. I always have the lead unrolled.
I dont often use it at full power, but have never had a problem. I often use it on mid power for long periods, like 15 minutes none stop which is quite serious usage.

My advice would be suck it and see.

Chunko'.

 

[The Buddah]

aaaw,

Sorry but where does 16a come into it, i thought house suply is 13a.

Mike.

 

[brightspark]

aaaw,

Sorry but where does 16a come into it, i thought house suply is 13a.

Mike.

13 amp is the max power from a 13amp 3pin plug. anything bigger can be fed direct from the mains consumer unit up to a 50 amp max mcb . anything bigger than that can be wired in to either 60 amp or a 80 amp switch fuse . most houses have 60 to 80 amp supply and some later ones 100 amp. the rating is stamped on the electricity board main cutout fuse holder