Hi, I have built a garage and want to use my welder which is 180amps/max 4ml rod. What size of consumer unit will I need?
Garage consumer unit
- Thread starter DavieG
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Most welding sets have a 25 volt output plus 1 volt per 25 amp so a 180A welding sets output voltage would likely be 32 volt so around the 6Kw mark. Allowing for inrush a transformer type welding set of 180A will require at least a D25 MCB to power it.
However the switch mode inverter type welding set is far better and likely would run OK with a B type MCB and be more around the 20A load.
Using smaller rods so less current with a transformer type does not really reduce the inrush so still needs D32 however the 13A fuse will take a far inrush and it will likely hold even where a B25 MCB trips and sometimes the standard B32 MCB used with ring mains will hold.
The switched mode is again much better and with the smaller rods a B16 MCB and a 13A plug will often allow trouble free welding. Auto power down with a stuck rod of course is an advantage.
So to work with most 180A welding sets one would be looking at the biggest supply you could get from a consumer unit at either 45A or 50A MCB and this would likely need a 16mm supply cable to reduce volt drop to minimum when striking the arc. A 32A socket seems only real option so in garage consumer unit it will need to be a 32A max MCB. As to which Type B, C, or D this would largely depend on the earth loop impedance and would be the highest permissible with the reading taken.
The RCD will likely be type A rather than type AC if supplying an inverter but as already said there are so many 180A welding sets really need more information.
Semi-automatic welders (MIG) and (TIG) tend to use less current although with a MIG wire feed more constant so you can find sets that will run from 16 amp supply with an inverter a B16 MCB will often be enough.
However the switch mode inverter type welding set is far better and likely would run OK with a B type MCB and be more around the 20A load.
Using smaller rods so less current with a transformer type does not really reduce the inrush so still needs D32 however the 13A fuse will take a far inrush and it will likely hold even where a B25 MCB trips and sometimes the standard B32 MCB used with ring mains will hold.
The switched mode is again much better and with the smaller rods a B16 MCB and a 13A plug will often allow trouble free welding. Auto power down with a stuck rod of course is an advantage.
So to work with most 180A welding sets one would be looking at the biggest supply you could get from a consumer unit at either 45A or 50A MCB and this would likely need a 16mm supply cable to reduce volt drop to minimum when striking the arc. A 32A socket seems only real option so in garage consumer unit it will need to be a 32A max MCB. As to which Type B, C, or D this would largely depend on the earth loop impedance and would be the highest permissible with the reading taken.
The RCD will likely be type A rather than type AC if supplying an inverter but as already said there are so many 180A welding sets really need more information.
Semi-automatic welders (MIG) and (TIG) tend to use less current although with a MIG wire feed more constant so you can find sets that will run from 16 amp supply with an inverter a B16 MCB will often be enough.
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