Power Load calculation for Electric Welder

[DLachance]

Hi,

I am working on a new installation and sizing my feeders and panelboards.
My client requires a 240V 50A output for an electric welder.
This output must be connected to the emergency grid.

I can't get any more information about the actual welder.

How would you calculate the load for this output?

The load will probably have an impact on the size of the generator.

Thank you all,

 

[dpc]

Welders on emergency power? That doesn't make much sense to me. The welder load will generally be far less than the 50 A plug rating. Are you sure he doesn't have other plans for this outlet? The term "welding outlet" is generic - used for any large special-purpose receptacle.

Have him send you data on his welder if that what it is. You can find the max current requirements and use that if you want to be conservative. The continuous load can't be more than 40 A on a 50 A receptacle. The demand is hugely variable on a welder obviously.

 

[davidbeach]

They really need a engine driven welder. That's about the ugliest load you're likely to see and not what you'll typically want mixing it up with the other critical loads on the generator.

 

[DLachance]

You are both right dpc and davidbeach.
Welding outlet migt not make sense on emergency.
In this case, we are on a remote Diesel fuel power plant.

In case of an engine incident they might lose power and need in this case to use the electric welder to fix the engine.
The engine driven welder would be a good solution, I did propose it in similar buildings but never get any answers.


Dominic Lachance
Electical designer
Québec, Canada