Fabricators/Electricians - I have a welder wiring question.

[colbystephens]

So last year I moved into this house and wired up the garage for 220V for my welder. The welder has the potential to draw 31 amps on its highest settings. I know that I never use it that high, nor will I have a need to - so I used the appropriate breaker, wire, and socket.

Today we had an electrician come out to address some other issues at the house. I was not home. My wife called and told me that he removed my welder circuit because our house can't handle such a load and that something bad could happen if it were to be used. So, wtf? We can run a 220V oven, a 220V dryer, a 220V water heater, but we can't run a welder? What's the difference? Been using it for months with no problems...

I did the job safely and correctly, but aesthetically it didn't look too good because I had it stapled along the bottom of the wall as it ran out to the garage. It was orange wire and pretty noticeable. I'm wondering if he just pulled it so that I would pay someone to reinstall it in nice-looking conduit or something?

 

[4X4HIGH]

I'm no electrician but most homes are supplied with a 100 amp service. As long as the wiring you installed is capable of handling the 31 amp draw over the length of the wiring and you're not running other 220V stuff at the same time that would overcome the amperage of the circuit you're using I don't see where there is a problem.

 

[frankin5]

your breaker in a sub-panel or off the main panel to the house.

 

[fallguy]

i've been doing elect. work a long time & we have never removed someones existing wiring without permission. if he didnt like it he should of informed you & put it in writing that he did not install it. the correct way to handle that load would be to setup a sub panel in the garage fed from your main panel in the house. then feed the welder from the sub panel. obviously make sure all wiring is done correctly, i know around here you have to have a liscense to do any elec. work.

 

[chosen(1)]

First thing, I have been an electrician for a little over 11 years now and I've never removed something that wasn't blatantly unsafe (read "eminent danger of your house burning down") without permission from the owner. I'm sure your house has more than a 30 amp service, I'm assuming you installed a 30 amp circuit since you said the wire was orange, so the "your house can't handle the load" is just simply B.S.

Second thing, I know you said you installed it "correctly" but stapling romex along the bottom of a wall is not the correct way to do it, but it is not a reason for an electrician to remove it. Conduit is not only so it is "nice looking" it is to protect the wire from physical damage which could cause a fire hazard.
Also, you really should have a 40 amp circuit and #8 awg wire run to it. I know you said you never use it on it's highest setting, but a 30 amp circuit will only handle a sustained load of 24 amps.

In my opinion you should call the contractor and demand something in writing as to why he removed it, and go from there.

 

[colbystephens]

So, if y'all were me, would you just hook it back up? I just looked, he just unplugged my wire from my breaker and left the breaker in the box.

 

[fallguy]

maybe re-route the wire as said above out of harms way, like in the attic & then drop down the wall. it would be better with a sub panel close so that you would have a way to turn it off closely. you really need to go bigger if you do that route.

 

[colbystephens]

it's only a short distance from the welder - essentially on the opposite side of the wall as the plug. I should put it in conduit, but given how I use the room the panel is in - I know it's in no danger and I'll remove it when I move out.

 

[chevydan3]

First thing, I have been an electrician for a little over 11 years now and I've never removed something that wasn't blatantly unsafe (read "eminent danger of your house burning down") without permission from the owner. I'm sure your house has more than a 30 amp service, I'm assuming you installed a 30 amp circuit since you said the wire was orange, so the "your house can't handle the load" is just simply B.S.

Second thing, I know you said you installed it "correctly" but stapling romex along the bottom of a wall is not the correct way to do it, but it is not a reason for an electrician to remove it. Conduit is not only so it is "nice looking" it is to protect the wire from physical damage which could cause a fire hazard.
Also, you really should have a 40 amp circuit and #8 awg wire run to it. I know you said you never use it on it's highest setting, but a 30 amp circuit will only handle a sustained load of 24 amps.

In my opinion you should call the contractor and demand something in writing as to why he removed it, and go from there.

x2

I have been an electrician for about 5 years. I would call and complain, he should have at least explained what he was doing. I think that the reason he removed the circuit is because it could, not will but could, cause a problem if your dryer, oven, and welder all going at the same time. The total load calculations on the house probably exceed 100a with the welder included. As for the right way to reinstall it: 40 amp breaker, #8 wire w/#10 ground, in conduit.

 

[colbystephens]

I think that the reason he removed the circuit is because it could, not will but could, cause a problem if your dryer, oven, and welder all going at the same time. The total load calculations on the house probably exceed 100a with the welder included.

that reasoning makes sense. Thanks guys!

 

[Adventurous 4x4]

I used a 40 amp braker in the box and ran my cord directly to it. I am running a 100 foot cord with a twist lock plug. My braker box is in my garage now so it makes it easier but when I lived in my old house in Gettysburg I had to run it from the box in my basement out to the driveway.

 

[miniwally]

x2

I have been an electrician for about 5 years. I would call and complain, he should have at least explained what he was doing. I think that the reason he removed the circuit is because it could, not will but could, cause a problem if your dryer, oven, and welder all going at the same time. The total load calculations on the house probably exceed 100a with the welder included. As for the right way to reinstall it: 40 amp breaker, #8 wire w/#10 ground, in conduit.

Back in the garage days for my family we had to disconnect the range to use the welder. Since it was only occasional use it was fine. When ORD started up in the garage they installed a sub panel so they could weld and cook food at the same time

I think the load calc part is the most correct thing here. If I was doing this I would hook everything backup and just shut off the breaker to something else during welding operations.

 

[Doc Feel Good]

If you do not want to use EMT, 'Smurf Tube' is a alternative for protection.

Anywho, as stated #8 40A (2pole) #10 ground in a protected environment.

In California you must be state licensed to do electrical work.

 

[chosen(1)]

well, the load calc thing is possible I guess, but I've never done or even heard of an electrician doing a load calc for a house in the field, and I can't imagine why anyone would do one if he weren't doing a service upgrade.

 

[chevydan3]

well, the load calc thing is possible I guess, but I've never done or even heard of an electrician doing a load calc for a house in the field, and I can't imagine why anyone would do one if he weren't doing a service upgrade.

Yeah, I thought of that, but it was the only logical explaination that I could come up with.

Also, please please please never ever ever use smurf tube for anything. That crap should have never been invented, there are better ways to do things.

 

[colbystephens]

In California you must be state licensed to do electrical work.

Last I heard, you had to be licensed to eat dinner in California too... Good thing I live 14 miles north of California - though this city is on its way down the crapper with over legislation too. In Ashland it is technically illegal to stand on a sidewalk because you might be in someone's way. Ofcourse, they are only going to enforce this on the homeless and anyone else who isn't promoting gentrification... Fockers.

 

[Fordum]

You know, I learn something new in this place every day. I figured 4X4HIGH just mistyped. But then a couple of other folks chimed in with the same thing, so I guess its a regional thing.

Down here in Fl. I cannot remember the last time I saw a house built in the last 40 years or so that was not 200 amp.
The farmhouse I am living in now was a 60 amp before we remodeled it, but it was close to a hundred years old.
Its 200 amp now.
Even most of the mobile homes are 200.

As for the welder, mine is out in my barn with the genset. I have a sub-panel out there to supply power to the barn, and I ran a 40 amp breaker with (3) 8 ga wires inside seal-tight flexible conduit. The one with the steel inside and rubber outside, not the all plastic type.
Rats, you know.

Never had any problems with the electrical inspector.
Of course, he would have to climb a 7 foot chain link fence with 4 strands of barbed wire, sneak past my camera system, and outfight my Red Jungle Fowl attack chickens.

J.

 

[bp71k5]

In California you must be state licensed to do electrical work.

You can legally do your own electrical work if you own the home you're working on and have the proper inspections. I've done a lot of my own work and received compliments on it from the inspector.