OT: 230v welder wiring, using a dryer circuit Options

[bondo]

I just got a millermatic 175 welder. 230v, 19.5 amps. I'm going to make an extension cord for it and was wondering what guage wire I should use. Is 12ga enough? (going about 30 feet, just enough to get all the way around the garage, and into the driveway a bit)


Also, the dryer outlet is neutral grounded. Should I use it as is or add a second outlet with a real ground?

[Twystd1]

Note: Ground and Neutral are NOT the same thing.

Yes they both end up in the same place. Yet they can sometimes be exclusive of each other in a circuit. This has to do with impendence mismatch. Too long of a story to get into...

Simply put.
Use a four wire system NOT THREE WIRES...!!!!!!

This is the safest way to wire your welder. Also you will need to use the appropriate sized breakers.

A safe way to choose your breakers is have at least 20% overhead for your breaker. I.E. A 20 amp draw would use a 25 amp breaker. breakers come in increments of 5 amps.

By the way, assuming that you have a total of about 20 amps draw across TWO hot leads.. Then 12 gauge would be ok. The book calls out a maximum of 25 amps on a typical 12 gauge solid core wire under 90 degrees constant if my memory serves me right.
(Your using stranded)

I would use 10 gauge.. This simply puts a little headroom in your construct.

And yes.. Some idiot in Sacremento gave me a Electrical Contractors license. So supposedly I am supposed to know what I am talking about. (IMG:http://www.914world.com/bbs2/html/emoticons/wacko.gif)

Cheers,
Twystd1