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220 welder extension cord

jentzschman

jentzschman

Well-Known Member
Location
Sandy, Utah
Why do people so to get a 10 gauge cord when the wire on the actual power cord of the welder is like 14 gauge?

Does the 10 gauge really help at all? The book says to use 14 gauge and bigger.
 
iamsparticus

iamsparticus

Take your Rig to the Edge
Location
Ogden,Ut
the bigger the cable the lower resistance, ergo the high current or amps it may carry. when you make a cable longer the resistance goes up so the longer the cord the larger it needs to counter act it. I would use 10 gauge if i were u i did on a 225 amp stick welder with a 80 foot cord it worked well
 
MikeGyver

MikeGyver

UtahWeld.com
Location
Arem
jentzschman said:
Does the 10 gauge really help at all?
Click to expand...

In a word, no.

If you had a 100ft extension and were to measure the input voltage at the welder while welding at full power you may notice that 10volts or so (of the 240v) are dropping in the resistance of the wiring. If you're using an inverter welder this won't effect welder output but it will require a bit more input current. With 10awg the voltage drop might be more like 5v. Not a big deal either way unless you're going >100ft. Don't spend alot on 10awg, 12awg is plenty.

My extension cord for my Millermatic 175 is just a 40' length of 3 strand 12awg Romex... never had any issues and it was ~$30.
 
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jentzschman

jentzschman

Well-Known Member
Location
Sandy, Utah
One more noob question:

When connecting the adapters/connectors, does it matter how they are connected to the wire? (hope that makes sense)
 
iamsparticus

iamsparticus

Take your Rig to the Edge
Location
Ogden,Ut
yes it does they must have a strong mechanical connection meaning smashed by a metal piece or bolt or soder but the connectors should just have screws that hold the wire in
 
iamsparticus

iamsparticus

Take your Rig to the Edge
Location
Ogden,Ut
oh i see and the answer is yes. You have a ground and a hot and a second ground. I dont know what your wires are colored btu usually the ground and second ground is green and white and power is black or red, get a Volt meter out and find out which ones ground and wich is power and then the plug ends you bought should be labeled inside the case
 
jentzschman

jentzschman

Well-Known Member
Location
Sandy, Utah
sparticus19 said:
oh i see and the answer is yes. You have a ground and a hot and a second ground. I dont know what your wires are colored btu usually the ground and second ground is green and white and power is black or red, get a Volt meter out and find out which ones ground and wich is power and then the plug ends you bought should be labeled inside the case
Click to expand...

Cool, thanks for the help!

Oh, how do I know which is hot in the welder plug?
 
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bobmed

bobmed

- - - -
Location
sugarliberty
Like BCGPER said, with 220 you will have two hots and a ground.
Usually a cord made for 220 will have a black hot, red hot and green ground wire. The red to black will be 220 and black or red to ground will be 110.
It can also be 230 and 115 or 240 and 120
 
gijohn40

gijohn40

too poor to wheel... :(
Location
Layton, Utah
sparticus19 said:
You have a ground and a hot and a second ground.
Click to expand...

This is the advise that usually gets people killed or the house burnt to the ground... if your not sure maybe you should not give the advise... let a qualified person give the advise...

Todays standard is a 4 wire system where you will have a black, red white and green wire... the black and red will be the hots and the white is a neutral with the green being the ground. The old standard is with just the 3 wires of black, red, and green. The reason for the change is that more and more 220 products are putting things like motors that run off 110/120 so with the neutral wire in there you will get 110/120 running on the correct wiring. This will save lives and houses from being damaged or destroyed.

I am an electrician and could probably help you out on this as I have stated in previous posts... pm me if you need help.
 
jentzschman

jentzschman

Well-Known Member
Location
Sandy, Utah
gijohn40 said:
This is the advise that usually gets people killed or the house burnt to the ground... if your not sure maybe you should not give the advise... let a qualified person give the advise...

Todays standard is a 4 wire system where you will have a black, red white and green wire... the black and red will be the hots and the white is a neutral with the green being the ground. The old standard is with just the 3 wires of black, red, and green. The reason for the change is that more and more 220 products are putting things like motors that run off 110/120 so with the neutral wire in there you will get 110/120 running on the correct wiring. This will save lives and houses from being damaged or destroyed.

I am an electrician and could probably help you out on this as I have stated in previous posts... pm me if you need help.
Click to expand...

Thank you.

When I get my cord and connectors, I will hit you up.
 
jentzschman

jentzschman

Well-Known Member
Location
Sandy, Utah
Well, got the cord and one plug on. Got the wrong style for the welder end. I needed a female, and grabbed the male version by mistake.

I should be up and welding this weekend.
 
iamsparticus

iamsparticus

Take your Rig to the Edge
Location
Ogden,Ut
gijohn40 said:
This is the advise that usually gets people killed or the house burnt to the ground... if your not sure maybe you should not give the advise... let a qualified person give the advise...

Todays standard is a 4 wire system where you will have a black, red white and green wire... the black and red will be the hots and the white is a neutral with the green being the ground. The old standard is with just the 3 wires of black, red, and green. The reason for the change is that more and more 220 products are putting things like motors that run off 110/120 so with the neutral wire in there you will get 110/120 running on the correct wiring. This will save lives and houses from being damaged or destroyed.

I am an electrician and could probably help you out on this as I have stated in previous posts... pm me if you need help.
Click to expand...


My bad i meant two hots and a ground, i didnt check what i wrote in a hurry, i was thinking of my lincoln stick welder that wired a new plug on too it was the old standard, thanks for the correct info i guess i should of checked the info before posting i hope you got help in wiring it i had my dad help me to get it right i glad i did, im nno electrician thats for sure so im glad gijohn40 chimed in
 
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