[TheForge] temporary welder setup

[John Allen]

If you get cable rated for 30 amps, it will be enough. 30 amps is more of a
max setting then normal welding amps. I just did a job using my little
maxstar 150 that has a 20 amp plug. I was connected into a 15 amp outlet
that is GFI protected. If you have ever done this then you know that GFI's
and welders DO NOT get along. The initial amp jumop from the arc start trips
the breaker 75% of the time. I was welding 66 feet away at 75 amps. 50' 10
ga cord, 10' 20 amp to 15 amp adapter cord (12 ga), then the 6 foot welder
cord (14 ga). I was only welding small pieces together but the GFI never
tripped as long as I was the only one using it. Once someone turned on a
light I would trip the GFI.

anyways, the reason why you need a thick cord is due to the distance NOT the
amps. I do not know what kind of welding you are going to do but I am
assuming you are going to weld about 3/16 material. The further you are away
from the outlet the more resistance the electricity is going to recieve
(Ohms). By going bigger in wire size eliminates this.

I have done this many of times and I know you would be fine, but I am not
you and you need to use your own judgement.


If you are asking about amps through your wire, you only have to do it by
half. If 10 ga wire can handle 20 amps (which it does) then 220 volts on 10
ga handles 40 amps which is well sufficent for your 30 amp welder.