Shop Setup for Miller Syncrowave 200

[GWallace]

I have read the "Electrical" forum and it seems I have scared myself into asking questions...This is a good thing.

I have a 100 amp Main Breaker box with a subpanel installed specifically for the welder. Right now I have a 30 amp breaker running in the subpanel for the dryer. The dryer will be permenently disconnected and the welder will use this circuit.

I will need to replace the breaker with a 50 AMP. Right?

What is the best wire size to run about 25' to the outlet?

I have wire running now but want to make sure I have the right size installed.

Also should I expect any dimming of the house lights if I am using a subpanel running only this circuit?

Thanks!

[gixrman]

I will buying the same TIG and wiring up my garage for the same distance. I was going to stop at Lowes or HD today and see if they can give me any insight. If you can keep me updated I will do the same.

[GWallace]

Gixrman,
Will do. Let me know what you find. I think I'll be okay just swaping the breaker. I sure would feel alot better if someone here told me what i needed versus the guy at the Home depot. They do have a wire size/run/amp chart but I want to be sure.

[MAY POP]

For 50 amps use #8 #10 ground. Why dont you add a recpt below the panel and make up an ext. cord. Ron

[GWallace]

I have had a eureka moment after a few beers and some time in the shop. I think I can double my shop space and add an overhead door if I rearange the basement. If I do that then I'll add a new box in the shop and do exactly what you say. Tommorrow I'll pull the insulation down out of the ceiling and run my lights. This way i can have my shop and my wife can have the unfinished basement (Thats what she wants). I'll take your advice on the wire size.

Just to be sure you are saying #8 for the line and #10 for the ground?

[o.c.d.]

I was over at home depot yesterday looking to connect this Econotig, it's rated at 52 Amps on 208 single phase, the man there told me that I would need 8 guage for it. After sticker shock I decided that I would probably never use 100% power and opted for the 10/2 romex instead. When I do a perminent installation (behind the walls) I'll probably go with the #8 for piece of mind.

[GWallace]

It aint cheap is it? After deciding to move my shop to the other side of the basement I think I will still come out ahead since the side I will be moving to is already finished out. I will need the run to be about 40 feet now but thats okay i guess.

[gixrman]

I found this which seemed to be helpful as far as choosing wire size.
http://www.lowes.com/lowes/lkn?action=howTo&p=Improve/220outlet.html

[RoosterBoy]

i put my Syncrowave 300 wire in 2 inch emt because i will run other house wire in it also. but the welder is about 30 ft wire length to the panel and i run it on a 100 amp breaker and used 1awg wire :cool2: id check but i think you may need #6 wire to be on the safe side i don't know your welder spec's but what you could do is try and google search a wire chart and see what it says.

but what ever you do don't go cheep it's cheaper to do it right the first time.
id go #6 :-) but check a chart my brother is a electrician i will see him tomorrow and ask him for you.

thanks
Jason

[Aceman]

Straight from Millers manual they recommend min #8 with a #8 grounding conductor and a 60 amp breaker for the rated input of 54 amps. I think a #10 ground would be sufficient as this is the standard size for this circuits ampacity. There's 2 ways to do this, in pipe or romex. I didn't take the time to read the whole manual so I don't know if it's recommended to run pipe to shield from EMF or if romex would be okay?

If using Romex the MINIMUM is 6-2 NM-B with a 60 amp 2 pole breaker.

If using EMT(pipe) you need #6 THHN wire(2 hots) and a #10 THHN ground also on a 60 amp 2 pole breaker. EMT would be 3/4".

[gixrman]

Thanks guys, Thats the route I was going to go. I just did'nt know if I was going to need 6-3 or 6-2 wire. I was also going to run it in electrical PVC. When I was over at HD today pricing everything out 6-2 ROMEX was $340/ft.:realmad:

[GWallace]

I hope you mean 3.40/foot.......:laugh:

[RoosterBoy]

Thanks guys, Thats the route I was going to go. I just did'nt know if I was going to need 6-3 or 6-2 wire. I was also going to run it in electrical PVC. When I was over at HD today pricing everything out 6-2 ROMEX was $340/ft.:realmad:

if i were you id try an electrical supply house they can cut the wire to your needs and it may be cheaper. and i don't think you can run it in electrical pvc that stuff is made for underground and outside work.

but check your code. just to be safe if it were me id run it in emt no questions asked. :jester:

good luck :waving:
Jason

[GWallace]

Hey Rooster,
Does the emt need to be exposed? I dont know the code here but it seems like I always see it rinning outside the wals versus inside. My whole shop plan was thrown out the window last night after a few beers and It looks like as well as doubling shop space I will be able to set the unfinished side up for an In-Law suite... One bedroom/One bath/One kitchenette. So My wire will now need to run in the soffet area near the AC Ducts. I'll put up some photos in a minute.

Should I expect any Flicker in the house lights if I have this 220 Dedicated from a 100AMP Source line through a 60AMP Breaker running now about 50 Feet.

The other option was to run it outside from the box around the back of the house (Underground) to the shop wall and just punch it through to a new Panel and Outlet.

Money is a constraint but safety is paramount.

Thanks Guys!

[GWallace]

Here is my Panel the way it is now. subpanel is a 220 with a 30Amp breaker. I have some room in that panel. Would you run from that panel with the emt all the way to the other side of the basement (50 feet)? Main box breaker is 100Amp.

Sorry The image tag isn't working for me. I'll try to post it later

[Scott_95482]

It is ok to put emt conduit in walls. But any LB or "T" type conduit bodies or Junction boxes should be kept accessible.

[ralphiejantz]

dont get wire from home depot its beyond overpriced
I just recently installed my miller syncrowave 300 tig machine in my garage
and I have a 200amp main box that I ran a 100 amp breaker out of it to a 125 amp box and used #4 wire for that
then out of the sub panel I ran another 100 amp breaker into a 100 amp safety disconnect box and used #4 wire as well
I also have my compressor, plasma cutter and all the shop lights and and all the standard wall outlets each on their own breaker and I get absolutely no light dimming at all when I have that big machine on
so if you keep the welder on its own line you should not get that problem with the lights
also I would use #6 wire if your using a 50 amp breaker and dont skimp out on the wire becuase its not worth burning your house down becuase you didnt want to spend a few extra dollars and do it the right way
Also definately go to an electrical supply house
Home Depot by me want the same price for their #8 wire and the supply house did for the #4 wire I bought per foot I dont know why but Ive talked to a few people and it seems the supply houses are way cheaper than home depot as far as wire and breakers and boxes go

[GWallace]

Thanks for the advice on our setup. I'll check for the supplies at a local electrical shop.

[gixrman]

I finally received my TIG yesterday and thanks to the shipping company it needs to be repaired already :gunsfirin . But thankfully Indiana Oxygen is making it all better.

Anyway after talking to a local electrian I wired it up with 6 gauge wire and 8 guage ground inside metal conduit with a 60amp breaker at the panel. Also added a lockout box where the welded is sitting. As soon as my replacement parts arrive I can start TIG'N!!

[GWallace]

Sweet. Good Luck & Send some pics