12 replies to this topic

[Minimattvan]

Hi, lots of people reccomend the Clark 151 te welder.

I think this runs off a 15 amp plug instead of a standard 13 amp. Does this plug work in a normal 240 v socket ?

Thanks, would appreciate some help!

[sonikk4]

im surprised it says in the blurb it should be hard wired to be honest. Fit a 16amp blue plug with a stand alone power supply should be more than adequate.

[dyshipfakta]

The 135 is perfectly adequate for mini stuff. Haven't had any issues at all and runs off the mains it of the box. Cheaper too

[Ethel]

The advantage over 13 amp is no fuse to blow. You'd want a dedicated 16 amp supply with RCD though.

[Minimattvan]

Yeh, I wasn't expecting it to need a 15 amp plug- they don't seem to be used anywhere- at least I've never seen one until I googled it. The blue plugs are a lot more common so might order one of those for it. Weird that they sell you the welder but don't include a plug with it! Just leave a length of cable sticking out!

What is RCD ?

Does anyone else have the 151 te welder ? What plugs do you have on it ?

[sonikk4]

Residual current device.

In my workshop I have 2 stand alone circuits. One is for the compressor and the other is for a welder/spot welder. The one I have at home is fitted with a MCB due to the start up loads generated by my other compressor. Both the workshop circuits will have these installed very soon.

So basically this is what you will need to be safe otherwise all you will keep doing is blowing fuses or tripping a ring main CB.

[djdanmk]

A blue single phase 16A commando socket and plug is what you need. Depending on the age of your house your consumer unit may already have an rcd fitted or if your garage has its own consumer unit fitted this may have one.
It is best to wire a dedicated circuit in 4mm or 6mm cable for something like this but it all depends on length of runs.
If in dought get an electrician to have a look for you.

Rcds in consumer units look like this
http://www.screwfix....ma-dp-rcd/57083

[GraemeC]

I really wouldn't go down the 15A route - they are a weird beast, not used much and really not for this purpose.

As above, a blue single phase 16A IEC60309 commando socket and plug is what you need, with suitable gauge wiring

[hazpalmer14]

I've got a snap on welder i'll be selling shortly if you're after one?

[benm]

I have a clarke 160EN turbo its 150amp and im runing it of a standard 13a plug, used it many times on full power and haven't had any problems

[sonikk4]

Just to add to this thread, I bought a 100 Ltr 3 Hp Clarke compressor about six years ago.

Now that did not come with a 3 pin plug fitted and the technical details said it would be fine running a 13 amp socket. So got it home, plugged it in and boom fuse blew. Mmm thought it may have been an old one so changed it tried the compressor and it popped again.

Righto rang their tech services and they catagorically stated it should run on a 16amp socket as per the technical instructions. I did point out the error of their statement with an emailed copy of the instructions I had quite clearly stating a 13 amp 3 pin plug was fine.

No reply to that as it happened. When the compressor developed a fault and took it back to Machinemart even the manger said the instructions said it was a 16amp plug required. Showed him my instruction manual and pulled one off the shop floor for the same model, all said 13amp 3 pin. He accepted someone somewhere has failed. Bit late to admit that as it goes.

So a ******* up by Clarke. However when I fitted a 16amp RCD that kept blowing as well. It turned out that the compressor has a high start up load so a 32 amp MCB is needed.

Do check the instructions thoroughly.

[Batmini]

Yeh, I wasn't expecting it to need a 15 amp plug- they don't seem to be used anywhere- at least I've never seen one until I googled it. The blue plugs are a lot more common so might order one of those for it. Weird that they sell you the welder but don't include a plug with it! Just leave a length of cable sticking out!
What is RCD ?
Does anyone else have the 151 te welder ? What plugs do you have on it ?

I'm really surprised in this time of heightened health and safety and the free 'where there's a blame there's a claim' they still get away with this. I think they don't put a plug on it so that most people don't realise they're not really designed for domestic power. No one, as standard has a 16 amp socket in their shed or garage so they leave it off knowing that many will put a 'standard 13 amp' 3 pin plug on it. Absolving them of any blame should an accident happen

[Ethel]

Though, to be fair, the most likely outcome is a lot of blown fuses. The welder isn't the risk, it's the circuit you attach it to.