Category
Power & Circuits
Whether a welder will run in your garage: breaker size, input current, wire gauge, extension cords and generators, from each maker's manual.
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Running a welder on a generator: what the makers actually say
Only two makers we checked publish generator guidance for their machines. What Lincoln and Hypertherm require, and what to ask when your manual says nothing.
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Welding amps chart: what each rod, wire and tungsten needs, from the makers
Published amperage ranges for 6010, 6011, 6013 and 7018 rods, mig wire and tig tungsten, and how to check them against your welder's rated output.
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Plasma cutter air requirements: what size compressor you need
Published air needs for LOTOS, PrimeWeld, Hypertherm and other plasma cutters, in CFM at a stated pressure, and how to read a compressor label against them.
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110v vs 220v welder: what each outlet can deliver
A 120 volt outlet tops out near 2,400 watts, and a welder cannot put out more than it takes in. What 240 volts changes, and how to choose for a home garage.
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Can my electrical panel handle a welder?
A 100 amp panel can often run a home welder, but it depends on what else the panel feeds. What to check yourself and what to hand an electrician.
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Dual voltage welders: one machine, two sets of specs
A dual voltage welder runs on 120 or 240 volts, but its output, duty cycle and breaker change with the plug. Read both ratings before you buy.
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Welder amp draw: what a welder pulls from the wall
Output amps and input amps are different numbers. Published input draw for three common welders, and why the figure in the manual can look too low.
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Welder duty cycle, explained as minutes of arc per ten
Duty cycle is the share of a ten minute window a welder can run before it must cool. How to turn the percentage on the badge into minutes of arc you can use.
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Welder extension cord size: use the manual's table
What gauge extension cord a welder needs and how long it can be, from the manufacturer's published table. Why a thin cord costs you arc performance.
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What size breaker does a welder need? Read it from the manual, not the badge
A welder's output amps do not tell you its breaker. Where the manufacturer publishes input amps, breaker and wire size, and what to take to your electrician.