16 replies to this topic

[L.Hurst]

Just wondering if there is anyone who can give some advise, electrician or anyone?

Basically I have tried to start practicing welding in a shed, the shed has a 16v from the fuse box in the house. Reading the welding book, it said that is it ok to use the 13amp plugs for any welding under 65v. So I gave it a go on a low setting, nothing no spark nothing. turned it up alittle more, no sparks, little again nothin, but it blew the fuse box in the house. I know it wasnt over 65v on the welder. So was just wondering why it blew?

It is a arc welder 40 - 160, using the rods. and the metal is around 1.2mm.

Also I want to run the welder in the garage where my mini is (on the other side of the house from fuse box) as the electrics there are old and wont stand up to the job. So ideally I want to run new electrics into the garage, will I have to run the wire through the house, or is there a way of doing out doors from the fuse box?

I know I need a electrician to sort the connects out.

Anyway just thought id see if anyone can help or give any advise on this.
Or if anyone has the same problems.

Thanks

(Hope this is in right section)

[mini1.3]

a generator might help not sure what power they give out tho

[L.Hurst]

I did think about a generator for the welder.
No sure about what sort of power it will give the welder, does anyone else use a generator for welding?

Bit much money aswell really a generator.

[mini1.3]

im think thw power will go on the size of the generater but there not that expensive 50-100 quid my school picked one up for 50 brand new for there farm

[coopermpi]

how are you getting 16v from the fusebox, through a transformer?? England has 230v electric.
Are you sure your welder doesnt say 65 Kva or something??
What type of plug is on your welder, a normal 3pin plug or round type plug?

[Bean]

Hi,

To be honest, and without wishing to cause offence, I think you really need to talk to an electrcian now, nevermind wait til the 'connects' are sorted. You do not seem too familiar with electrics, given the terminology used.

There is alot of regulation around electrical installation, and with good reason.

Going to your original question, there are a couple of reasons for the fuse blowing. Probably incorrect size fitted, especially if the fuse is 'rewireable', that is where there is a piece of thin wire held in place with screws. But reasons can be varied, as can the choice of protective device... You cannot just go with what 'should' be fitted according to the fuse holder!

Please do be careful where electrics are concerned - consult an electrician

[coopermpi]

I am!!

[L.Hurst]

Yes I am going to speak to a friend soon about everything, Im not messing with anything, me and my dad are just in the planning of what to do. He is dealing with it and has experience, but I just thought Id post something on here and see what advise or comments people would suggest.

It is a normal square 13amp plug,

Also sorry got abit mixed up, obviously 230v coming from fuse box what i meant was that on the fuse box it is a 16amp fuse. sorry about that.

[Bean]

I am!!

The post was directed to the original poster.

[coopermpi]

Yes I am going to speak to a friend soon about everything, Im not messing with anything, me and my dad are just in the planning of what to do. He is dealing with it and has experience, but I just thought Id post something on here and see what advise or comments people would suggest.

It is a normal square 13amp plug,

Also sorry got abit mixed up, obviously 230v coming from fuse box what i meant was that on the fuse box it is a 16amp fuse. sorry about that.

I would say 16A is a bit close for comfort, even though its on a 13a plug top. You need to read the specifications on the welder. Are you sure the socket you are plugging it into is working? Try another appliance!
Check the fuse in the welder???
Maybe take it in the house/kitchen and try it in a socket you know is working correctly.
Failing that, you might have to get a local sparky to have a look, but make sure its not your welder at fault!!!

[L.Hurst]

Yes I was thinking that the 16A is abit close. The plug is fairly new so I would guess that is working, actually the light on the welder came on so must be ok. And the welder is brand new, so I hope that it is fine.

Yes I think I will have to find another socket with a bigger Amp coming from the sude box, kitchen near oven and cook Im guessing will have the higher AMP.

I thought I would of got some spark out of the welder but nothing o well.

Thanks for advise coopermpi

[Saxo-Fiesta-Mini]

if you got no spark could have been the earth for the welder not allowing enough flow of electrons so the power was surging all + charged and then the fuse said i have had enough bang lol

[Saxo-Fiesta-Mini]

if you got no spark could have been the earth for the welder not allowing enough flow of electrons so the power was surging all + charged and then the fuse said i have had enough bang lol

[Bungle]

i would guess the wire between your house and garage is too small and your getting a voltage drop

if the volts drop then the amps go up to compensate

with out seeing what you have i would say bigger wire between the house and garage should help

[dave21478]

im think thw power will go on the size of the generater but there not that expensive 50-100 quid my school picked one up for 50 brand new for there farm

A cheap generator will never run a welder. I have a 4kva generator (I think thats what it is?) which was not cheap when new, and it really struggles to run a welder and the resulting welds are noticeably poorer quality. I would guess 6kva would be a minimum output, although this will depend on the welders spec. You are unlikely to find a suitable generater of that rating for under £500 I would imagine.

As for the original post, you say the welder is brand new, yet the plg is "fairly new". did you fit the plug yourself? If so, read the instructions to see if its even designed to be fitted to a normal 13a socket.
As for running new wiring yourself, you need to google "part p regulations". you are not allowed to do this kind of work yourself anymoe. Either it needs to be done entirely by a qualified electrician, or you need to apply for a permit to do the work yourself, have the installation inspected, then have it signed off when finished.