• From: Iowa
  • Registered: 2010-04-20
  • Posts: 1,398

Topic: What amp service on 220 to power welder on new garage build?

Building a house.  I currently do not weld, nor own a welder.  I want to run 220 to the garage.  I will already have it there for a natural gas garage heater, but I also want an outlet
in case I want to run a welder, etc in the future.  The garage will have a lift, etc...

The electrician wants to know what amp service I will need so he runs the right gauge of wire, etc.  I'm only going to want to do this once and do it right.  Suggestions?

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  • RobL
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Re: What amp service on 220 to power welder on new garage build?

50 amp.

I did this upgrade to my garage. 

My welders have the NEMA 6-50R plugs so that is what I had wired in.

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  • From: Detroit, MI
  • Registered: 2009-05-16
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Re: What amp service on 220 to power welder on new garage build?

Yep, I did mine as well and added a 50amp sub panel in the garage.  I believe I ran one 10 gauge and two 8 gauge wires in a conduit underground between the house and garage.

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  • fiasco
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Re: What amp service on 220 to power welder on new garage build?

Don't forget an outlet for a 220 volt compressor, as well. I inherited an old Craftsman compressor, and had to rig an adapter to my dryer plug to run it...kind of a PITA, but I don't have much space for more circuits...

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  • From: Choctaw, Oklahoma
  • Registered: 2009-11-12
  • Posts: 1,867

Re: What amp service on 220 to power welder on new garage build?

Check the requirements on your welder. My arc welder requires 80 amp service.

  • From: East Meadow, NY
  • Registered: 2009-08-06
  • Posts: 76

Re: What amp service on 220 to power welder on new garage build?

fiasco wrote:

Don't forget an outlet for a 220 volt compressor, as well. I inherited an old Craftsman compressor, and had to rig an adapter to my dryer plug to run it...kind of a PITA, but I don't have much space for more circuits...

/agree

  • From: Iowa
  • Registered: 2010-04-20
  • Posts: 1,398

Re: What amp service on 220 to power welder on new garage build?

Thanks for info. I'm not too smart with this stuff. If I have 200 amp service to the house, is a 100 amp sub panel stupid/over kill?

I hope to have a 220 outlet for a lift and one for a welder.  It's very unlikely I would ever run the welder while lifting a car, but if my garage heater is running off 220 I may use the lift or welder.  I would guess running everything off the same sub panel may provide some safety for the rest of the house?

I know I can ask my electrician some of theses things, but I thought I'd ask the question from a consumer perspective to those who've done it.

LemonAid - Changing kids lives one lap at a time.
  • Registered: 2009-10-06
  • Posts: 550

Re: What amp service on 220 to power welder on new garage build?

TeamLemon-aid wrote:

Thanks for info. I'm not too smart with this stuff. If I have 200 amp service to the house, is a 100 amp sub panel stupid/over kill?

I hope to have a 220 outlet for a lift and one for a welder.  It's very unlikely I would ever run the welder while lifting a car, but if my garage heater is running off 220 I may use the lift or welder.  I would guess running everything off the same sub panel may provide some safety for the rest of the house?

I know I can ask my electrician some of theses things, but I thought I'd ask the question from a consumer perspective to those who've done it.

I just ran 100 amp service to my barn.  The cost of the panel and main breaker should be the same, you just need heavier gauge wire.  Copper ain't cheap, but if you only want to do it once, then it's worth at least asking for the cost difference between 50 and 100 amp service.  It really all depends on how far away your garage is from your house.  Mine was 350 feet away, so it wasn't cheap!

bs

  • From: Iowa
  • Registered: 2010-04-20
  • Posts: 1,398

Re: What amp service on 220 to power welder on new garage build?

Garage is attached.  Main panel is on opposite side of the house. Probably 80 ft at most from garage outlets. Thanks.

LemonAid - Changing kids lives one lap at a time.
  • From: Los Angeles
  • Registered: 2010-08-22
  • Posts: 1,253

Re: What amp service on 220 to power welder on new garage build?

TeamLemon-aid wrote:

If I have 200 amp service to the house, is a 100 amp sub panel stupid/over kill?

Better to have and not need, than to need and not have.

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  • FJ40Jim
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Re: What amp service on 220 to power welder on new garage build?

You'll need 230V for the plazma cutter and 230V for the compressor (simultaneously).  And the 230V furnace might be running at the same time...

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12 Reply by NSF

  • NSF
  • NSF
  • Coppa di Bondo
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  • From: Cocoa, FL
  • Registered: 2010-06-26
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Re: What amp service on 220 to power welder on new garage build?

Don't forget the 52 inch plasma TV after your wife kicks you out.

This space for rent.