Vernon Tuck
Stainless
- Joined
- Oct 26, 2008
- Location
- Brenham, Texas
Howdy folks,
I am attempting to install a big industrial welder into our modest little machine shop. I've had the welder for some 12 years but only now do I have the place and the power to get it going.
It is a single phase welder. It is currently set for 460V but can easily be reconfigured to 230V by simply rearranging some jumpers.
In "balanced" condition the welder requires 200 amps in at 230V and full power. In "unbalanced" condition the required input is 300 amps at 230V.
I have only a 200 amp, 230V, single phase service. I have installed the electric distribution in a manner such that I can shut down all the power to the rest of the shop and deliver the full 200 amps to the welder.
As a practical matter, I cannot imagine this ever being necessary unless we undertake to weld up a cracked aluminum cylinder head or something similar.
What I'd like to know is this: IS THERE ANY COMPELLING ADVANTAGE TO BUYING A SINGLE PHASE 230V --> 460V TRANSFORMER AND PUTTING IT BETWEEN THE BREAKER PANEL AND THE WELDER?
The only advantage I can think of is that it would enable me to run smaller gauge wire. However, the run is so short that this is of scant concern.
The part I'm not clear on is: Although the welder would be pulling only 100 amps at full power does this mean that only 100 amps of 230V are required to feed the transformer?
Stated another way, would a transformer reduce the load on the feed side? Increase the load? Or make no difference?
Thanks for helping me understand.
Vernon
I am attempting to install a big industrial welder into our modest little machine shop. I've had the welder for some 12 years but only now do I have the place and the power to get it going.
It is a single phase welder. It is currently set for 460V but can easily be reconfigured to 230V by simply rearranging some jumpers.
In "balanced" condition the welder requires 200 amps in at 230V and full power. In "unbalanced" condition the required input is 300 amps at 230V.
I have only a 200 amp, 230V, single phase service. I have installed the electric distribution in a manner such that I can shut down all the power to the rest of the shop and deliver the full 200 amps to the welder.
As a practical matter, I cannot imagine this ever being necessary unless we undertake to weld up a cracked aluminum cylinder head or something similar.
What I'd like to know is this: IS THERE ANY COMPELLING ADVANTAGE TO BUYING A SINGLE PHASE 230V --> 460V TRANSFORMER AND PUTTING IT BETWEEN THE BREAKER PANEL AND THE WELDER?
The only advantage I can think of is that it would enable me to run smaller gauge wire. However, the run is so short that this is of scant concern.
The part I'm not clear on is: Although the welder would be pulling only 100 amps at full power does this mean that only 100 amps of 230V are required to feed the transformer?
Stated another way, would a transformer reduce the load on the feed side? Increase the load? Or make no difference?
Thanks for helping me understand.
Vernon