Wire and breaker size needed for a new outlet for the 200DX

[geezer]

Never go on the cheap if you have an attached garage or workshop, you could get by with less but go 50 amp and no 8 wire for that short run. That makes it a real welding plug..if you are gonna do it you may as well do it right, no 8 is basically a stove or dryer wire size , no point in having anything smaller for a welder. Check out this site: http://www.gorhamschaffler.com/wire_...alculator.html

[sportbike]

According to that calculator, you could use 14 gauge wire for it. I wouldn't use 14 gauge wire, but 10 gauge is plenty. The welder pulls less than 30 amps, as you have demonstrated by using it on your current dryer outlet, which is probably a 30 amp circuit.

Just wire in another 30 amp circuit and you will be fine.

if you have any intent of miving to a larger welder in the future, then go bigger. if you are just a hobbyist, you'll be fine with 30A

[Joe from NY]

i am going with 12 gauge wire and a 20 amp breaker. the run of wire is short, and from the location of my welder about 6 feet line of sight to the breaker box, i can see the wire up the wall and along the beams the whole short run. if the breaker trips with the 20, i will move it over to the 30 breaker.

if the wire started to smoke, i would see it. And anyway, i always stay active in the basement workshop screwing around for at least 1/2 hour after finishing welding just in case there are any smoldering nuggets nestled somewhere that could ignite later.

[steveprichar]

I would run #8 with a 40 amp breaker.

[67cudafb]

Joe as others have said you can get by 10 awg and 30 amp breaker but if you step up to larger unit it may be to small. Do it once and do it right I would go with 8 awg or 6 awg and 60 amp breaker and sub panel where you can drop a welder plug maybe plugs for plasma, grinders small compresser. Just try to plan ahead.

[Joe from NY]

Joe, your 200DX can draw up to 27A when operating towards its maximum rating, so you may want to consider a 10 AWG, 30A branch.

That is what I did. The stiff wire was a bit harder to snake around, but i finally got it hooked up. Thanks