running a 15 amp welder of a 10 amp socket ???

[Snarba]

Hi there I know this is not advisable but out of desperation can you run a 15 amp mig ( obviously low current, I only want to patch an exaust pipe and maybe a bit of panel repair) from a 10 amp outlet. Now I know its a different sized earth pin but will it cope with small jobs like this? I figure the fuse will go if its too much load but thought I'd ask first.....thanx

[scorched]

Yup i do with no probs.

Wires are rated to over 15amps anyway.

[DAZZA-LUX]

If you use a 15 amp mig in a 10 amp plug, you will have to grind down the earth pin. The better option is to make an adapter with a 15 amp female to 10 amp male. This way your warranty (if applicable) will still be valid since you have not actually modified the plug. If you have a safety switch, it will trip if your current is too high.

[BIg StEvE]

Haha speak to an actual sparky!

[Aerenandmel]

I have a short extention lead with a 10amp one end and a 15amp plug the other, I wouldnt want to void the warranty on my welder by modifying the plug on it. works well

[tommyk]

im a sparky, and im currently in the process of putting a welding circuit in my garage, but for the moment i just cut off the 15 amp plug and put a 10 amp one on it, hasnt tripped the breaker yet.

[striker99]

Yeah if you plug 15 amp draw into 10 amp socket your very likely to just trip circuit breaker

[Shadow]

Yeah if you plug 15 amp draw into 10 amp socket your very likely to just trip circuit breaker

Generally power circuits are 16amp, so your not going to trip the breaker unless youve got something else drawing alot of power on the same circuit, or there is a 10amp breaker fitted for some reason (pretty much every house being built the sparky uses 10 amp temporary breakers which is farking annoying when your trying to weld 15mm pfc's and can only run your welder at 100amp.)

With the welder I use at work, I origonally cut the pin down to fit the 10amp outlet, but the guy that tags and tests our equipment replaced the plug with a 10amp one when he saw it which im told is just as norty, but at least it stops us having to grind the pin down every 3 months.

[ofr57]

If you use a 15 amp mig in a 10 amp plug, you will have to grind down the earth pin. The better option is to make an adapter with a 15 amp female to 10 amp male. This way your warranty (if applicable) will still be valid since you have not actually modified the plug. If you have a safety switch, it will trip if your current is too high.

i got this atm ... untill we got the big cable going to the shed
i found it cuts out abit since it cant draw enough power an some times it welds bad .... but yes its possible

[Guy]

Hi there I know this is not advisable but out of desperation can you run a 15 amp mig ( obviously low current, I only want to patch an exaust pipe and maybe a bit of panel repair) from a 10 amp outlet. Now I know its a different sized earth pin but will it cope with small jobs like this? I figure the fuse will go if its too much load but thought I'd ask first.....thanx

For jobs like those, no problems at all

[chook05]

Yeah if you plug 15 amp draw into 10 amp socket your very likely to just trip circuit breaker

I`ve been runing a 15amp welder on 10 amp plug for 10 years never had a circuit braker trip. on site or at home.

[Snarba]

thanx all, I kinda thought it would be ok but better to ask people who have actually done it... yeah I'll make up an adaptor rather than butcher the 15 amp plug on the mig. I'm living in the bush with no mains power ( good solar) and all my mates only have standard 10 amp outs in there houses so thats why I can't get a 15 amp outlet installed at home....thanx again

[Vineboy]

I have a short extention lead with a 10amp one end and a 15amp plug the other, I wouldnt want to void the warranty on my welder by modifying the plug on it. works well

X2

[ISUZUROVER]

I have a short extention lead with a 10amp one end and a 15amp plug the other, I wouldnt want to void the warranty on my welder by modifying the plug on it. works well

X2

x3 - except I have a standard 10A extension lead - most are soft enough to allow a 15A plug to squeeze in.

When I used to use the welder at my parents' place, I would turn everything else on the circuit off, but would often STILL TRIP THE BREAKER regularly, if I was welding for more than a few seconds continuously. The last time I did it, the breaker didn't trip, but a fuse blew!!! I don't know how that could happen - maybe the fuse was dodgy...

[KiwiBacon]

Yes, I've done it.

But I was careful enough to use a clamp meter to measure the current on a test weld before I ripped in.

It had a short 12amp spike at start of welding, then dropped to about 6amps while running a steady bead.
After that I was perfectly happy running it in a 10amp socket.

Your results will probably vary.

[Shadow]

I have a short extention lead with a 10amp one end and a 15amp plug the other, I wouldnt want to void the warranty on my welder by modifying the plug on it. works well

X2

x3 - except I have a standard 10A extension lead - most are soft enough to allow a 15A plug to squeeze in.

When I used to use the welder at my parents' place, I would turn everything else on the circuit off, but would often STILL TRIP THE BREAKER regularly, if I was welding for more than a few seconds continuously. The last time I did it, the breaker didn't trip, but a fuse blew!!! I don't know how that could happen - maybe the fuse was dodgy...

was it triping a beaker or an earth leakage switch? (confused because you mention breakers and fuses, unless you mean the fuse in the wlelder?)

Could be that your parents had a 10amp breaker installed (was it a plugin one?)

[Shadow]

Yeah if you plug 15 amp draw into 10 amp socket your very likely to just trip circuit breaker

I`ve been runing a 15amp welder on 10 amp plug for 10 years never had a circuit braker trip. on site or at home.

what sort of sites? cause every site(housing) i go to has god-damn 10amp breakers installed which wont let me run my little CIG stick inverter at more than 100amp.

Most of the commercial sites tend to have phat breakers installed so thats never a problem

[striker99]

"10amp breaker fitted for some reason (pretty much every house being built the sparky uses 10 amp temporary breakers which is farking annoying when your trying to weld 15mm pfc's and can only run your welder at 100amp.)
"

My point exactly

[Shadow]

"10amp breaker fitted for some reason (pretty much every house being built the sparky uses 10 amp temporary breakers which is farking annoying when your trying to weld 15mm pfc's and can only run your welder at 100amp.)
"

My point exactly

yeh, except when a house is completed, the power circuits are fitted with 16amp breakers. You can draw 16amps from a single powerpoint, just nothing else can be using that circuit at the same time.

Infact, its quite legal to fit a 15amp powerpoint in place of an existing 10amp powerpoint.

The reason a sparky will suggest a dedicated line, is to allow the user the flexibility to draw the full 15amps all the time if needed, without having to worry abvout other devices on the circuit.

Many commercial settings such as shops and the like will have a 15amp PO fitted in place of a 10amp PO if something requires the 15amp point, and in the sparky's opinion other devices on the circuit are not going to trip the breaker.

[built4thrashing]

yes it can be done and it works but if someone gets hurt ok injured then ya can find yourself in that famous creek without a paddle

[cloughy]

It should be fine, Just because it has a 15A plug, doesn't mean it will instantly be drawing 15A, just like your telly, fridge etc. doesn't draw 10 A

Just try it and see what happens Famous last words

[striker99]

"Infact, its quite legal to fit a 15amp powerpoint in place of an existing 10amp powerpoint."

Just pointing out its not recomended if your not a sparky your not meant to do any wiring yourself.

[Shadow]

"Infact, its quite legal to fit a 15amp powerpoint in place of an existing 10amp powerpoint."

Just pointing out its not recomended if your not a sparky your not meant to do any wiring yourself.

Its not recomended? Everything has its purpose. Sure, in many circumstances its not practicle, but in some it is, and its easier/cheaper to boot.

[familybus]

i just bought a Migomag 260 with a remote feed and did the pin grind job and no probs this way and i was told by a welder repair jointto do it as a second opinion to my own boss who actually sells wedlders and welding equipment!

[CV Smasher]

"10amp breaker fitted for some reason (pretty much every house being built the sparky uses 10 amp temporary breakers which is farking annoying when your trying to weld 15mm pfc's and can only run your welder at 100amp.)
"

My point exactly

yeh, except when a house is completed, the power circuits are fitted with 16amp breakers. You can draw 16amps from a single powerpoint, just nothing else can be using that circuit at the same time.

Infact, its quite legal to fit a 15amp powerpoint in place of an existing 10amp powerpoint.

The reason a sparky will suggest a dedicated line, is to allow the user the flexibility to draw the full 15amps all the time if needed, without having to worry abvout other devices on the circuit.

Many commercial settings such as shops and the like will have a 15amp PO fitted in place of a 10amp PO if something requires the 15amp point, and in the sparky's opinion other devices on the circuit are not going to trip the breaker.

I think you should check the AS3000 rule book again if you think what you are stating is legal.
I am a sparky and do not believe it is in anyones best interest to take electrical advice from people not trained to give it especially on a forum. A good sparky will not tell you it is ok to file down an earth pin. You should only rely on advice from professional.
ELECTRICITY IS DANGEROUS!

Try and explian to your insurance company and family why your house burnt to the ground............. is it worth saving a few dollars by cutting corners?????

[KiwiBacon]

I think you should check the AS3000 rule book again if you think what you are stating is legal.

Rules are for the "other people".

But should only be bent by people who know exactly what they're doing.

[shortie]

Yes changing a power point from a 10 amp to a 15 amp may be legal providing the breaker and the wiring can handle to current. However changing the plug or using an adapter is a differnet kettle of fish.

The issue here is you can potentially melt the 10amp rated powerpoint or the plug top. These are rated 10 amps regardless of what the rest of the circuit is capable of carrying. IT is not legal to do so.

Heres a scenario. You change the plug top on your welder, you do not weld at full power therefor you never have any potential problems.

You brother borrows your welder, is unaware of any modifications you made. Welds flat out, everythjing gets hot his house burns down.

Safety first. Spend a dollar get your circuit looked at by an electrician to see if its possible to change the powerpoint to a 15A. Do not change plugs, grind pins or use adapters.

[shortie]

If you use a 15 amp mig in a 10 amp plug, you will have to grind down the earth pin. The better option is to make an adapter with a 15 amp female to 10 amp male. This way your warranty (if applicable) will still be valid since you have not actually modified the plug. If you have a safety switch, it will trip if your current is too high.

SAFETY switched will not trip if current is to high. Safety switch measures a differental measurment . What is going in is a what is coming back out. If these measuremnts differ safety switch will trip.

[ISUZUROVER]

I have a short extention lead with a 10amp one end and a 15amp plug the other, I wouldnt want to void the warranty on my welder by modifying the plug on it. works well

X2

x3 - except I have a standard 10A extension lead - most are soft enough to allow a 15A plug to squeeze in.

When I used to use the welder at my parents' place, I would turn everything else on the circuit off, but would often STILL TRIP THE BREAKER regularly, if I was welding for more than a few seconds continuously. The last time I did it, the breaker didn't trip, but a fuse blew!!! I don't know how that could happen - maybe the fuse was dodgy...

was it triping a beaker or an earth leakage switch? (confused because you mention breakers and fuses, unless you mean the fuse in the wlelder?)

Could be that your parents had a 10amp breaker installed (was it a plugin one?)

Sorry, should have said "safety switch", not breaker. House has fuses for each circuit, and a safety switch. Usually the safety switch trips, but one time the powerpoint circuit fuse blew without tripping the SC.

[Shadow]

"10amp breaker fitted for some reason (pretty much every house being built the sparky uses 10 amp temporary breakers which is farking annoying when your trying to weld 15mm pfc's and can only run your welder at 100amp.)
"

My point exactly

yeh, except when a house is completed, the power circuits are fitted with 16amp breakers. You can draw 16amps from a single powerpoint, just nothing else can be using that circuit at the same time.

Infact, its quite legal to fit a 15amp powerpoint in place of an existing 10amp powerpoint.

The reason a sparky will suggest a dedicated line, is to allow the user the flexibility to draw the full 15amps all the time if needed, without having to worry abvout other devices on the circuit.

Many commercial settings such as shops and the like will have a 15amp PO fitted in place of a 10amp PO if something requires the 15amp point, and in the sparky's opinion other devices on the circuit are not going to trip the breaker.

I think you should check the AS3000 rule book again if you think what you are stating is legal.
I am a sparky and do not believe it is in anyones best interest to take electrical advice from people not trained to give it especially on a forum. A good sparky will not tell you it is ok to file down an earth pin. You should only rely on advice from professional.
ELECTRICITY IS DANGEROUS!

Try and explian to your insurance company and family why your house burnt to the ground............. is it worth saving a few dollars by cutting corners?????

I think you should read my post again, and then take your foot out of your mouth.