What amperage should I use for welder/compressor? (HMT electricians)
06-14-2006, 10:29 PM
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What amperage should I use for welder/compressor? (HMT electricians)
I've got an air compressor and a 120v MIG welder, both of which draw 15 amps.
I'm running them a pre-existing 15 amp circuit, whcih also controls a few rooms in the house. Unless I turn off all the lights, the welder/compressor tend to trip the breaker really fast (no ----, huh?), and if I do have a light on, it tends to dim it very badly. I've decided to run a dedicated line from my breaker box, which should be an easy shot.
I don't plan on running both of these at the same time, so I'm thinking 20 amp. There may be a time in which the compressor motor would be on and I would be needing to use an electric grinder or sander or something, so would you guys opt for 20 amp service, or should I just upgrade for a 30 amp service and just not ---- with it ever again? I'll be running 12/2 if I go 20 amp, or 10/2 if I run 30 amp. Will this wire be sufficient for what I'm doing? Thanks guys.
I'm running them a pre-existing 15 amp circuit, whcih also controls a few rooms in the house. Unless I turn off all the lights, the welder/compressor tend to trip the breaker really fast (no ----, huh?), and if I do have a light on, it tends to dim it very badly. I've decided to run a dedicated line from my breaker box, which should be an easy shot.
I don't plan on running both of these at the same time, so I'm thinking 20 amp. There may be a time in which the compressor motor would be on and I would be needing to use an electric grinder or sander or something, so would you guys opt for 20 amp service, or should I just upgrade for a 30 amp service and just not ---- with it ever again? I'll be running 12/2 if I go 20 amp, or 10/2 if I run 30 amp. Will this wire be sufficient for what I'm doing? Thanks guys.
06-14-2006, 10:45 PM
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Re: What amperage should I use for welder/compressor? (HMT electricians)
20 amp breaker should be fine
just remember to check the ga of the wire.
you cant just up the size of the breaker without rewiring the outlets with a bigger ga wire.
just remember to check the ga of the wire.
you cant just up the size of the breaker without rewiring the outlets with a bigger ga wire.
06-14-2006, 10:50 PM
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Re: What amperage should I use for welder/compressor? (HMT electricians)
Originally Posted by hotrex
why not just go apeshit, run a 50a breaker and some 8ga wire.
u can run your neighors tools too.
u can run your neighors tools too.
Yeah, I think I'll go 30 amp. It's more than I need, but ---- it, I don't want to have any issues. Will 12/2 be cool on a 30 amp breaker, or will I have to run some 10/2?
06-14-2006, 11:39 PM
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Re: What amperage should I use for welder/compressor? (HMT electricians)
10-2 for 30amp, although at that rate you might have issues with your tools if they ever have a problem(tool shorts out and doesn't trip the breaker). 
I would just use 12-2 and a 20a breaker. It's safer and I highly doubt you'll have any issues since it will be it's own dedicated circuit.
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I would just use 12-2 and a 20a breaker. It's safer and I highly doubt you'll have any issues since it will be it's own dedicated circuit.
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06-14-2006, 11:48 PM
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Re: What amperage should I use for welder/compressor? (HMT electricians)
Originally Posted by Dr.Boost
10-2 for 30amp, although at that rate you might have issues with your tools if they ever have a problem(tool shorts out and doesn't trip the breaker).
I would just use 12-2 and a 20a breaker. It's safer and I highly doubt you'll have any issues since it will be it's own dedicated circuit.
I would just use 12-2 and a 20a breaker. It's safer and I highly doubt you'll have any issues since it will be it's own dedicated circuit.
06-15-2006, 10:34 AM
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Re: What amperage should I use for welder/compressor? (HMT electricians)
i believe thats what it is in my house right now. Compressor never trips the breaker. Although i had this one instance where it kept tripping when i was trying to plug my light in. Turns out the bulb was shorted 
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