How to wire a 50 Amp breaker and plug for a welder

I'm getting my work shop ready to do some welding and fabricating. One of the first things you need to have in a welding shop is a welder properly wired and grounded. Why pay someone when you can do it yourself DIY. Please be safe and don't do ANYTHING your not 100% SURE!!!

[@n8sbug]

Plus, I looked up your welder's manual, 10AWG is acceptable, and the MAX recommend circuit breaker is 40A. A 50 A breaker would not be recommended per the manufacturer, so aside from the 50A breaker, the manufacturer is on your side. Very good video, thanks for being brave enough to share. I only came across your videos because I'm doing a welder outlet right now,...

[@Warrwench]

Thank you! I did some further research and discovered that I can make my own 40 amp crossover extension cord with #8 wire and can use my welding unit, just not to its full potential. But I also found out this welding unit is for building ships and steel buildings and heavy machinery parts. Way too large for my wants, so I ended up scoring a 120v Lincoln wirefeed mig unit off Craigslist and that completely takes the guess work out for me. :) Thank you again!!!

[@FrustratedBaboon]

I bought #6 wire and 50AMP plug and socket. I googled this video and gave me courage to connect it. His wires seem to be thinner than mine. Hopefully the welder will not pull 30+ Amps.

[@anthonysigman6138]

Even though I completely agree that it should be #6 wire you could make this situation safe by using a 30 amp breaker even though it's a 50 amp receptacle. This will at least guarantee that you truly aren't exceeding the wires capabilities. At $2.79/foot on 6-3 awg I think I would have played it safe on that 4-5ft span of wire.

[@HelmickArt]

I use a cat to test for voltage...if they explode you know u r on 240 volts..(I have alot of cats)..

[@BigBADArt89]

i had to do the same for my millermatic 252 at home, i went with a 50 amp breaker and plug, and went with Romex 6 gauge on both hots and 8 gauge on the ground.

[@dragonlips2005]

You did it the right way. I just wired my 50A outlet and ran Romex 6 gauge too. The wire size matches the breaker size so if by chance someone says "hey, here's a 50A outlet I can plug my 50A crap into" you don't burn down the house!!!

[@mrEnergy511]

Cool! It cost a lot of money to hire an electrician to do a job that you colud do yourself. Good on you!!!

[@KatAdair]

OMG...this cracked me up. Thank you for sharing the info...definitely not on a big production budget, but hey! This is KZbin. I've paid a couple of times to wire in a kiln, so this made me realize it's not outside of my abilities (just replaced an oven control board a few days ago). Put a bandaid on that, man! And thank you again!

[@evilcowboy]

This is the way to do electrical in a house if you want to burn it down and make it look like it was an accident. He is using 10AWG wire on a circuit that requires 6AWG (the lower the number the thicker the wire is like earring gauges). Heat is the reason you want thick wire when amperage has the potential to reach that high you want it to be capable of handling the load. Otherwise you got heating elements in your wall. While most of what he did was decent his use of 10AWG wire was an enormous error. So don't install that same thickness of wire install 6AWG wire. Burning to death is a horrible way to figure out the error.

[@mrEnergy511]

Cool! Good to know people are doing some welding and fabricating and not just youtubing!!! Thanks for the comment!

[@weld3871]

Nice Welder. Just bought a welding machine for the house. Looks like a trip to the Ace Hardware is in order. I will be getting the #6 wire like James below here says is rated for 55 amps. My in 3 in 1 machine is an Inverter type. It may not ever pull that much. Just trying to be safe. Good luck with your fab shop.

[@pauldietrich478]

Should use #6 wire for a 50 amp. service...

[@danmeredith6354]

Isnt #10 wire rated for only 30amps? I'm thinking #8 or #6 would be a better choice.

[@fabio40]

Code is 6 gauge where I live.

[@dumping2988]

IM NOT 100% IN TO THE NEC BUT IF NOT FACTOR CORRECTION FOR TEMPERATURE OR OTHER FACTOR,FIRST WHAT TYPE OF WIRE WLL BE USED NOT ALL OF THEM HAVE THE SAME AMPACITY,AT DIFFERENT TEMPERATURES,COPPER OR ALUM..BUT 8 AWG AT 75 DGREES TYPE(RHW,THW, THWN ,)50 AMPS ,GO GOOGLE 310,16 NEC TABLE

[@wheels.and.wrenches]

Should use 6

[@n8sbug]

I've worked in marine electrical design (where cable heat is a huge concern), and there is a lot of emphasis on using the right cable for the load. I'm sure you've settled this by now, but, all that matters is that the breaker is sized less than, or equal to, the ampacity of the wire. Inadequate sized wire causes thermal stress on the insulator, which, when it fails, produces a high resistance short (ie fire hazard). Insulator failure can take years. For 10 AWG you should use a 30 A breaker.

[@lewandlo]

HAHA, .That welder you have has got to be the most expensive voltage tester I have ever seen .. Haha. You just plug it in and a couple of Hail Marys and turn it on?? Wow.

[@riehl36]

Thanks for the video. It helped me out wiring my lincoln welder.

[@jimmyvan6996]

knowing or should i say not knowing,amperage ratings is a dangerous thing interior folks awg 6/2 nm will handle 55 amps....in this example although the wiring is correct,just know the circuit itself is wrong 50 amp breaker with 10 awg....is unsafe the breaker must always be the weaker,in this case an over current situation will burn the wire in the wall before the breaker even knows what is going on....please be careful..wire gauge and wire type need to be honored 14 awg 15 amp, 12 20 amp, 10 30 amp, 8 40 amp and 6 50amp but there many variations where amperage could go up and down dependant upon wire type.

[@Troymatti]

miller the best welder

[@carultch]

You can use #8 copper wire for 50 amps, if your wire insulation (look for the h's in the identifier) and terminals are all rated for 75C. It is the industry norm that most terminals are rated for 75C, but you do need to check.

[@bernie10315]

I agree with some others who doubt the 50 amp/#10 wire. A 50 amp circuit should be at least # 8. The wire gauge should be designated on the 50 amp recepticle.

[@EquipmentDude]

I think you did a kick ass job!!

[@SuperKwame1]

Thanks for the video , a bit helpful. I'm learning to weld.

[@mrEnergy511]

Welding is a good trade! Thanks for comment.

[@tylerlalonde2966]

Very helpfull thanks !! Just wired up my welder today

[@carultch]

#10 Cu ground, is good for circuits all the way up to a 60A fuse/breaker size, as long as the run isn't long enough to need wire upsized for voltage drop. #6 Cu ground, is for the 110A to 200A range. A corresponding wire size might be in "the oughts", for such a circuit.

[@UKwildcatfan1985]

You are good with #10 wire on a 3' run. Especially on a low setting.

[@mrEnergy511]

right or wrong it works no problems... and it is the same size wire comming out of the welder stright from Miller! So I guess "Miller" is wrong too!

[@c.w.6125]

terrible info, 50 amp breaker on a #10 wire. definitely not right.

[@imbrandon16]

I'm a half ass 1.5yr elec.apprentice, and i'm pretty sure if i remember right 10ga is only good for up to 30A

[@SuperDdy]

@@imbrandon16 Yep it's all wrong none of us should be here...

[@joshuanelson6718]

@@imbrandon16 ding ding ding. if that welder only runs 24a he would be ok. people read 50 and think it runs at a full 50, lower end welders only need 30amp and 10gauge, then 20%loss down to 24a

[@huckstirred7112]

@@joshuanelson6718 nothing less than 6 for a welder . In 100 degree heat in July asking for problems

[@pixnstix]

@@huckstirred7112 Sounds good. Better to spend a few extra bucks now on larger gauge wire and be safe. 6 gauge it is.

[@TomKaren94]

I thought the same thing. But, the manual for a Lincoln AC225 MIG says "connect receptacle NEMA 6-50R Type to the power lines at the fuse box. Three #10 or larger copper wires are required if conduit is used. For runs over 100', #8 or larger wire in conduit is needed to prevent voltage drops. Fuse the two hot lines with 50 amp super lag type fuses. If a separate disconnect switch is used, it should have two hots and both should be fused for 50 amp." What do you think of this?

[@amswanson1256]

I agree 100% 10Awg isn't rated for 50 amps max rating is around 30 amps, you need to upgrade that to 8Awg but 6Awg would be better. Even though it's a short run its still too small for the current you want to draw, it will create alot of heat buildup and cause voltage drop witch could result in fire or damaged equipment. it may also be called a brownout situation witch is of course an excessive drop in voltage.

[@Kiddro22]

Andy Swanson if I'm doing a 240v outlet with a dual pole 30A with 8Awg wiring is that enough or should I bump it up to dual pole 40A

[@hairburger62]

Should have use 6-2 Romex wire. White (120V) phase 1 and Black phase 2 (120V) are hot=220V and bare Copper is ground for this type of breaker(50Amp) and wiring.! For those of you wondering, there is no neutral used for this type of installation. Not the best instructional video. Although with the short distance and a low duty cycle welder, it works but no need to mark the White wire with Red tape if the white is showing and on hot, black on hot and green on ground in this case unless for his own preference. Better to be safe than sorry with wire size and marking. Red and Black are hot on a 10-4 or 10-3 wire, White being neutral, Green or bare copper are ground depending on which type of wire you have..etc.

[@JKaiserable]

Anyone watching this video be careful...That #10 wire is going to heat up sir...even on a short duty cycle.

[@nickngaopraseut6717]

I'am sure the owners of this rental would love it if you kept using that wooden table to weld on :D

[@chrisfegelein6096]

How to completely void and ignore city regulation codes!

[@cabcorner1]

When you over fuse your wire, your wire becomes the weak link and your breaker is pointless . Miller puts 50 amp plugs on their welders because they are commonly found in welding shops . I have a similar set up for my welder but it's protected by a 30 amp breaker .

[@MrTaco-kn1cx]

50 amp breaker protected with # 10 AWG

[@ALRNUTN]

Don't have to worry about it tripping (:

[@geek49203]

I am not an electrician, but what I'm seeing is that in many places there are special rules for MIG welders. I think that this is 'cause the welders have duty cycles that protect the wiring to some extent. Some 110/220 welders are also "only" single phase. I've seen comments that these circuits are then marked "welder only". However, I have to wonder how much more expensive #6 wiring is than the #10 or even #8 -- and so why skimp and limit yourself? And wondering if the stick welders pull more current?

[@MukYJ]

Not a good idea - the breaker is designed to protect the wiring, and if you only have 40 amp wiring you don't want to drop in a 50 amp breaker. You could possibly overload the wiring and start a fire without ever tripping the breaker.

[@schrankm]

He has installed a breaker too large for his wire but really he only needs a 30 amp circuit for that welder. The wire is fine, the breaker is not.

[@megandizon492]

for safety before you turn on the breaker better check it with tester for short wire and correct voltage before you plug the load. Also wear leather gloves.

[@lifeingeneral9111]

you may want to reconsider your wire size and bump it tip to #8 thhn. I know loads will say #6 but new codes you can go with #8 thhn

[@SUCKME925]

do a vid on theoretically how to do it...you could save lives cuz people gonna do it anyway

[@BigWesLawns]

there seems to be unsureness about wire rating. so the #6 is good up to 60a. You can max out a lincoln buzzbox at 50a on that circuit. I cut the neutral wire off short in the box, then cap it off not tape(code) I think I may use romex... whatev you grab it at home depot or anywhere its 4 wire and you cut off the neutral. Peace!

[@Hopsheads]

awesome video!

[@ureasmith3049]

Nice Welder.

[@fabio40]

I don't know what the code is where you live, but 10 gauge is not enough for 220v/50amps where I live. Although you would probably be fine with 8 gauge, 6 gauge is code.

[@2012whatthehell]

fabio40 i used 6/2 romex with my 50 amp receptacle just to be safe as well

[@bluekeet]

fabio40 if my welder needs 230v input, what shoulf i use for a connection?

[@schrankm]

I should have said "In my opinion, Homeline breakers are less than desirable". To be honest, I do not know where Homeline breakers are normally used but, I do know they aren't as high quality as QO breakers. I use only QO breakers in all my panels but that doesn't mean Homeline breakers are not good. After all, they do protect circuits just as they are meant to do. I feel that more than anything, it's a preference.

[@gurjindersingh199]

#10 is only rated for 30A

[@breker19er]

Thanks for posting!

[@carultch]

Is that due to the ittermittancy of the welding equipment (since it doesn't operate for 3+ hours continuous)? I'd go by the 75C column of NEC310-16, unless otherwise I find an exception. And it is dedicated to the equipment having that exception. Don't want unrelated 50A eqpt plugged in it, which doesn't have that exception. I'm aware of the 60C default for 100A and less, but practically most terminals are rated at 75C. This tells me that #8Cu would be needed for a 50A breaker.

[@jimmipat]

Great post. Thanks.

[@mrEnergy511]

over 4 months now and no fire??? Thanks again for your concern.

[@Kaarpie]

That welder should only require a 40 amp (40x80%=32) and the machine needs 28 and 32 respectively so the #10 should be fine since you wont use 100% duty cycles anyways. But as always check with the manufacturers before tearing anything out since they are glad to help and not have a home fire on their name..

[@carultch]

I'd use #8 Cu, and check that all relevant terminals are 75C rated.

[@schrankm]

Additionally, it's a one time expense when installing a panel. So, why would a person not go with the better of the two panel and breaker configurations? I really think the major difference is the quality of each. They both work and are normally forgotten about anyhow.

[@joshuanelson6718]

Read into this welder, he only really needs a 30amp breaker for this welder, running a 50amp is INCORRECT with 10gauge wire, BUT this welder only pulls out 27.2A with flux, 22.5 with tig and 31A doing stick welding@220/240 . the wires will be fine for this application ONLY, AGAIN 10 gauge is incorrect for 50 amps, BUT not incorrect for the range of amperage tolerated for SOLID core wire and this welders demands.

[@carultch]

What is usually the application of Homeline breakers? I'm familiar with the QO/QOB series for 225A panels and less, and the I-line types for 400A panels and more. What bothers me most about the I-lines, is that you cannot reconfigure the phase in the field.

[@mrEnergy511]

Your welcome! Be safe welding and fabricate something to make your life better!

[@AvgJoe0007]

Mr Energy, what happens when you sell your house 20 years from now? When some poor sucker, buys it, trusts you, hooks up his real he-man 100% duty cycle 50a welder to your 50a labeled receptacle/breaker, and burns down your old house along with his wife and his 3.2 kids, cat, dog & goldfish? His lawyers are gonna be looking for this video to show a judge. That's what. Also, someone else may take your video example, say to themselves, Mr Energy says months later that his setup still works great on underrated wire, and follow you and start their own fire. You need to either fix this video or delete it! And you need to either downgrade your breaker or upgrade your wire. How about if we let KZbin be a place for folks to make helpful videos showing how to do it right not wrong?

[@coltraindontworryboutit9990]

Joe Sternhagen hey fuckass. The dude said it was a rental and that when he moved he was going to take it out and fix everything. Plus those millers don’t pull more that 30 so #10 is fine. He’s using a 50 amp c so it doesn’t trip

[@w3vjp568]

@@coltraindontworryboutit9990 what happens if OP has a stroke tomorrow. Or is hit by a bus. Months later, someone else moves in, plugs a welder, or an EV, or an RV, into that 50 amp outlet and starts sucking 50 amps through it on a hot summer day. OP isn't going to be around to say "don't do that".

[@pappaclutch3266]

Wouldn’t the breaker trip and prevent a fire? Lol

[@sickdawg22]

in your hypothetical situation the he-man would have murdered his family through criminal negligence, because that's a fully legal install brother. running #12 wire would be legal too technically the fact of the matter is that it is on the user of the welder (he-man) to ensure that the wire feeding it is sufficient. otherwise there would be no legal way to install it, or hot tubs, furnaces, stoves, ovens, or any other device that has a less-than-100% duty rating.

[@sickdawg22]

there's a reason things like welders come with install instructions. if he-man neglects to read them then that's on him.

[@MrCinimod93]

holy shit that would never fly around here total fire wating to happen # 10 is only rated at 30 amps YOU NEED A # 6 wire your going to cook the insulation on the wire over time and make a fire

[@1jesssar]

You are 100 percent right. I was thinking the same thing.

[@MrRoyalblunts]

10 is rated for 40a and 8 for 60a in my code. And considering that's like a 3ft run of wire it can handle it no problem. Clearly you were trained to install but not trained in the properties of electricity and equipment.

[@SOLDOZER]

Collin Huebler True, but larger 6awg wire would not hurt any. Not sure why he did not do it unless he just had 10 laying around and was being lazy.

[@JoeCnNd]

John Rambo I gotta 10 laying around but I mean a 3 feet strand won't be too much. I'll get a 6.

[@winnielessin169]

You made a good decision with 6. Better to go with the 6. I went with the proper gauge wire for my everlast welder when I got things wired up.

[@mrEnergy511]

even on a 3' run? I'm no pro but I and a certified welder and General contractor and I hire guys like you all the time. I like to ask questions about how things work. So tell me how many amps is my welder pulling when the setting is on low? You don't know do you. Thank you for your comment!

[@carlcap14911]

I didn't notice any main breaker for a total disconnect for the panel. You should have a main breaker for a quick disconnect.

[@victormartinez6959]

Why doesn't my cable have a green wire only red black white and solid copper

[@robviolin1]

Great vid, thanks. May I ask: what size gauge wire do you use with a 50 amp plug?

[@mrEnergy511]

I'm using # 10 thats the same size wire Miller has on their welder.

[@RedDelPaPa]

That doesn't mean someone some day, maybe even you, won't plug something into that outlet that exceeds the current capacity of the 10ga wire and sets the place on fire. You have turned the wire in that circuit into a fuse. You have no circuit breaker protection. The circuit breaker is supposed to be the weakest link in the circuit. In your case, the 10 ga wire feeding the outlet is your fuse. Get that 50amp breaker out of there and install a 30. You dodo!

[@mrEnergy511]

I think I will. Thank you!

[@carultch]

Practically, most terminals are rated 75C, even though the default is 60C for 100A and less. Get wire with "h's" in its identifier for the 75C wire rating, and then you're good to go with #8Cu. I do agree that it's better just to install the thicker wire that intuitively makes sense to use, than to cause a fire. Welding equipment has a special exception for size reduction. If it were up to me, before using a smaller wire, I'd require a dedicated circuit, not useable for anything else.

[@paskracing77]

you should be changing that wire to #6 good for 55amps can't tell from the video but even if it is #8 its only good for 40amps #10 is 30amps but thats just my 2 cents chaging 5ft of wire is cheaper then replacing everything after a fire no?

[@SUCKME925]

How do you do what you just did but before the electric analog meter without getting killed?

[@UpcomingJedi]

You are so determined to start a fire, aren't you? If its not with overloaded wiring, it will be by welding on a wood table.

[@MrRoyalblunts]

Nope

[@FrustratedBaboon]

He also seem to have only 60 AMP coming into the panel. I have 200Amps coming in.

[@Bluezkat1]

That was a great vid man. I'm about to do the same exact thing (except mg welder is stick/Tig). I'll probably refer back to this. Again, awesome job man

[@AdamMargie4ever]

Great video bro. Keep up the good work.

[@clidelivingston]

will that hook up work for a harbor freight 240v welder? if not how do you?

[@dexter1993]

please see a code book. in my country, the supply conductor shall not be less than the effective primary current. for over current protection it shall not be greater than 200% of the maximum primary current.

[@patrickr3589]

Is this Bill Paxton making this video... Because it sure sounds like Bill Paxton

[@gncc1]

use #6 wire, and you had a R.S. cover there... use it

[@ACrewDawg]

Should the ground be 6 gauge too?

[@johnkosheluk1041]

I thought u were going 2 show us how 2 wire it all u did is talk about it u didn't show how to wire the plug run wires 2 the box and wire the breaker

[@fernado2005b]

hi guys I used a 40 amps breaker with I belibe 8 3 wire now I wanna weld outside .. can I used a 10 3 50 feet wire tthese will cuz a fire..and my welder is 210 hobbart handler i dont know if what welder draws matter

[@jimmytate7587]

Interestingly enough, a circuit for a welder must not be used for anything else, and the wire used does not have to be as large as it would need to be for a continous use circuit. According to nec welders are generallly short duty cycle and #8 wire will suffice and I am told by a licensed contractor that 10 is acceptable. I would never use stranded wire in any case.

[@jimmyvan6996]

#8 thwn or thhn yes 60 amps......#8 nm only 40 amps

[@2000buellm2cyclone]

Dude please stop and call a Electrician. I have seen people burn there house down, by overloading there electrical drop. The wire starts burning on the side of your house, it's really cool to see. I cost me $1600 to replace my 60 amp drop and panel to 200amp. Your color coding is not for a car. 10 gauge wire your foolish. I wouldn't want your junk welder when it dies, which will be soon. Your starving it of amps. Like when you or your neighbor use the brown extension cord from the living room floor lamp. To power your power tools and can't figure out why all your tools keep Quiting after only an hour of use. Great Jobs showing everyone what not to do.

[@mrEnergy511]

Ham raido and you work for a temp... OK well 8 months and no fire! Did you ever work for UL? O, They don't hire temps!!!

[@rholl285]

thanks

[@BrodyProductions3]

I just bought a lincoln ac 225 and the install said 50 amp breaker with #10 wire. I used #6 anyways just wondering why they say that?

[@dexter1993]

the effective primary current maybe less than 30 amp. and the 50 amp breaker is less than 200% of the maximum primary current. pls update sir. tnx

[@HealthMinuteMagazine]

Does the third plug wire go to the white neutral or the ground bar? Thx.

[@exotoguy]

+HealthMinuteMagazine It goes to the breaker, the standard neutral on a 120v becomes a hot wire on 220v

[@FrAuSkY125901]

SIze of conductor and breaker all depends on demand load of the welder does it not?

[@1jesssar]

No, you got to match the conductor to the breaker.

[@MrRoyalblunts]

Jess Sar Match the breaker to the conductor and match the conductor according to the load.

[@BigDogsHunt100]

6:42... I think I went blind. No warning or anything?! come on man, how about a "going hot" before the sparks! I think I boiled my retina. :p

[@frankhernandez672]

BigDogsHunt100 teally?... maybe you need sunglasses when looking at a picture of the sun

[@carultch]

The breaker has to be the weak link. Weaker than wire at conditions of use, and weaker than terminals. A 50A breaker needs a minimum size of #8Cu, if wire and terminals on both sides are rated for 75C (which most terminals are). A 40A breaker also requires #8Cu as a minimum size, since #10Cu at is only good for 35A at terminals. Therefore, if the wire is good on a 40A breaker, it is also good on a 50A bkr. Complete coincidence. DO CHECK the terminals on both sides, for a 75C rating.

[@smokey29520]

mrEnergy, your setup is fine. These other idiots know nothing about duty cycle of welders. Now if you were running a large air compressor I might say you need to step it up to a #8 if the run of wire was going to be much more than 20ft. Good vid.

[@MrRoyalblunts]

What? Someone who know what they are talking about? Rare.

[@gbleasdell]

+aboat29520 Some welders do have low duty cycles, like 20%, that you could get away with 10awg wiring but some welders are continuous duty cycle and for those you would need to go to 6awg. In any event if you are gong to use smaller than 6awg wire the outlet should be clearly marked for WELDER ONLY.

[@mycvil]

All fun and games until he sells this garage and the next owner doesn't notice the problem until the wall is smoking...

[@jimmyvan6996]

really, heat is amps, connect an amp probe strike an arc. potential is there to exceed the 10 awg ratings

[@jjsd250]

are the red and black wires interchangeable since they are both hot?

[@HillbillyRednecking]

jjsd250 yes when you wire 240v connections it makes absolutely no difference which one is which, unlike 120v connections which must use a neutral and they must be connected to their perspective counterparts

[@russudvp]

It was funny

[@johnr6809]

Russell Wahrman

[@kd5inm]

10 guage is rated at 30 amps not 50 amps, you need number 6 wire for 50 amps

[@amswanson1256]

if you're actually using a 50 amp plug then you need to be using at least 8 gauge wire that is rated at 90 C

[@cantinerosvp]

Andy Swanson wire WILL get hot

[@mrEnergy511]

I was a dumb ass and gouged the shit out of my hand with a screw driver.

[@rholl285]

where did the neutral go?

[@henny4360]

+ryan hollendonner For a 220, the white wire goes into 1 phase and the black goes into another phase. They are both going to be hot, so wrap a strip of black tape around it at the end for identification. You are combining 2 single phases, so there won't be a neutral. Of course the green will be your earth ground.

[@ericbaldon8566]

that welder only draws 27 amps, I have one. so 10 is fine

[@Galgamoth]

10 IS Illegal on a 50 amp breaker, regardless of draw, the breaker has to be the weakest link in the circuit not the wire

[@666Pete379]

I agree, even tho the MM210 only draws 27 amps at full load, the wire should be a #6 or the breaker should be a 30 amp... Wiring a machine to a higher amp circuit than what is needed to make it function properly is NOT a good idea... The machine can possibly destroy something within itself prior to tripping an over-rated circuit breaker..

[@schrankm]

Homeline breakers are less than desirable.

[@erict4676]

What I am sort of up against in doing it right, my understanding is that anything in a garage must be gfci protected, unless it is hardwired. A two pole 50 amp GFCI is a $100 breaker that I'll do without for now.

[@SkilledEddie]

I stand corrected on my original comment. He is good with #10 because it matters about the duty cycle rating of the welder. Article 630 of the NEC. I was wrong but not wrong in a way that a fire would start or anything dangerous. I just wasted the guys money on overkill wire lol.

[@AllInOneHomeRepairs]

Wire has to be # 6 AWG for a 50 Amp Breaker. Its a short run so you really don't save that much in the cost of buy a 10 ft of # 6 wire. This is probably ok for you but you have to put a video on youtube showing another people how careless man you are. Please delete this video.

[@drmibew351]

National Electric Code Article 630-Welders Duty rating. You can put 12 awg on 50 amp breaker for dedicated NON-motor welder with a duty cycle of 20%

[@henny4360]

+drmibew351 I am looking at the code right now. I am struggling to wrap my head around 630.11(a). Am I supposed to run a 90 amp breaker for my machine? I was just going to go with a 6/3 conductor and 50 amp breaker/outlet but now i'm not sure. Here are the specs for my machine. Non-motor 23 volts 150 amps Duty Cycle 60% Max OCV 33 Amp range of 30 - 185

[@googleuser5482]

Average internet experts don't know about the difference for welders & their so called in rush or start up draw

[@SkilledEddie]

Proud of yourself? haha Hope you have a fire extinguisher near by because #10 wire is good for only 30 amps. If you have a true 50 amp welder you need #6 wire. I'm an electrician i know what i'm doing. It may work now but slowly that wire is getting hotter and hotter inside the wall and will eventually catch fire. Do yourself a favor leave the electric work to the pros.