Max amps from UK socket

[damunk]

I have been told I can use a 30Amp welder from a normal UK socket.

But I have seen numerous posts that say 13amp is max from single socket and 20AMP is max from double socket:

I must be missing a trick. Some internet postings below.

"Double sockets are rated for 20A draw, over this long term will burn the socket out, so 2 x 13A long term and you might have problems."

From google main page:
Most modern residential circuits are 15 or 20 amps, so we're looking at a max load of either (15A x 120V =) 1800 watts or (20A x 120V =) 2400 watts before the breaker trips. The breaker will be labeled either 15 or 20.

Each socket (presumably for flat pin plugs) is designed to deliver a maximum of 13 amps - hence the 13 amp fuse you find in new plugs. Thus a double socket can supply no more than 26 amps.

Another direct link: IET Forums - 13 amp twin socket outlet - http://www.------.org/forums/forum/messageview.cfm?catid=205&threadid=33787

 

[RWJ]

fit a second cable and plug top to the welder. then plug each of the 2 plugs into separate sockets on different circuits. this will then split the current between circuits.

N.B. DO NOT TRY THIS AT HOME, I'S A JOKE..

I know a "welder" that did just that and made them for his mates!!!

 

[telectrix]

so that puts welders just below plumbers for intelligence.

 

[David M]

From the ebay seller that is selling the unit:

"No this welder will not run on full power from a 13amp supply it would require 16amps. So it will not be able to run from a domestic 13 amp plug supply."

Is the seller a welding supply specialist?
Because welders have what's called a "duty cycle" this means that you should only operate the welder at full power for a certain time ratio. This ratio depends on the power setting of the welder.

Below is the spec sheet for the welder you have posted about, note that the rating of the input supply fuse is 13A. The duty cycle ratio is quite low at under full power @ 15% this means that for 9 minutes welding there should be a down time of 51 minutes. I doubt you would need to hard wire this machine unless you intend to do lots of welding within a short time at full power. If so I would say that this machine is not suitable for your requirements anyway.

230V 50Hz 1Ph


Fuse Rating 13Amps

Current Range 30-150A

Max. Metal Thickness 3-5mm

Welding Wire Sizes 0.6-0.9mm

Duty Cycle*

15% - 130A

60% 62A

100% 48A

Dimensions 700X320X580mm


Weight 25kg

 

[telectrix]

sod all that techo crap. can you come and weld me up my rear sill what some woman driver kindly bent for me?

 

[damunk]

At David M. I am only welding 3mm and its is just a small project. Building a frame out of box section thats all. 3mm box.

 

[Strima]

Get plenty of flap discs for your grinder, I have similar and they spread spatter like mad!!!

 

[Dave OCD]

Why the 3 vac motors, trying to invent the mother of all Hoovers ?

 

[mickfred]

The Clarke are ok welders .top setting will blow your 13a fuses after a few minutes , but to weld 3mm not a problem . Spend a few quid and get it converted to a eurotouch, as the torch it comes with is not the best

 

[David M]

sod all that techo crap. can you come and weld me up my rear sill what some woman driver kindly bent for me?

Done a fair bit of car patching up in my time, its a bloody sh** job! get some other mug to do it for you

 

[David M]

At David M. I am only welding 3mm and its is just a small project. Building a frame out of box section thats all. 3mm box.

In my opinion you will be fine using this welder the socket circuit for this job then. Gas less mig welding isn't as neat as using argon. But if you intend to dress up the welds after you should be just fine.

 

[David M]

The Clarke are ok welders .top setting will blow your 13a fuses after a few minutes , but to weld 3mm not a problem . Spend a few quid and get it converted to a eurotouch, as the torch it comes with is not the best

I agree, I have a 180amp mig that popped fuses if I used it for too long a period of time. I've now hard wired it on its own dedicated circuit rated on a 16mcb and its been no trouble since. The standard touches are rubbish! the euro ones are definitely worth investing in.

 

[David M]

Why the 3 vac motors, trying to invent the mother of all Hoovers ?

Maybe he intends to give Dyson a run for his money, he's gonna weld 3 hoovers together.

 

[damunk]

Right. Thanks for the help on the welder.

The three motors are for a air flow bench i've built. They are all wired up to one motor controller unit.

From the motor controller unit, one cable to the wall outlet.

The motors are 240V 5amp. Will this be okay?Or I need to separate the feed into three so to use three sockets?

 

[mickfred]

This is a guess . Do the motors pull 5amps , if not good but if switched on at the same time the peaks may do . You could fit overloads to protect each motor and a stop start circuit for each motor to be able to delay the start of each motor from each other (you could design a timer to start motor 1 then motor 2 etc and just use one stop start ) . Fit estop transformer contractor etc. ) . Before even thinking about this amp test the motors