Electical question

What sort of input would this be?

It's attached to this:

Dryer or stove plug. A regular 'welders plug' is a nema 6-50p but what you have will work (assuming you have the receptacle to match).

Home depot/Lowes etc will have either.

if only you knew how many different plugs there are out there

Well, I don't have a receptical anywhere close to this in the garage, but I do have a sub-breaker box.

How should it be wired? Is this 220/20amp? 40amp?

Amp draw may be stamped on plug, I'm guessing 30 amp.YMMV.

Here's a chart showing various NEMA plug and receptacle styles. I think that's a 50 amp but you'll have to confirm.

http://www.generatorjoe.net/html/web/outlet/nemaspecs.gif

stuart in mn wrote: Here's a chart showing various NEMA plug and receptacle styles. I think that's a 50 amp but you'll have to confirm. http://www.generatorjoe.net/html/web/outlet/nemaspecs.gif

Looks like a 10-50 to me. Standard stove stuff.

Just for good measure I'd check the "nameplate" rating on the welder. Should be a sticker on it somewhere.

220v 50amp the 30 amp has a 90 deg bend in the ground prong make it look like an L

In reply to Grtechguy:

You'll need a 10-50R receptacle connected to a 50A, 2-pole breaker in the panel. Check the feeder breaker feeding this sub-panel before continuing. It's not uncommon for a panel to be labeled at a higher rating than what it is fed with.

Thanks, I'll take a look. I'm thinking I only have 40 amp feeding it.

So, here's another question, If I'm not running this thing anywhere near full potential, does it pull the high amperage? I can't see myself ever welding anything over 1/4" (and that would be a stretch)

A 20 amp 220V circuit might be enough. 40 would be fine. If you don't have it cranked all the way up, it doesn't draw as much current. That's how Physics works. For 1/4" plate, I would SWAG that at 80 amps at the work, maybe 20 Volts? 1600 Watts = 7 amps at the plug. SWAG it at 10 or 15 Amps.

Trace the prongs on a piece of paper and bring that to Lowes, then match up your trace on the plugs available. That's what I do. It is amazing how many of those plugs are out there and look very similar.

Came in expecting some sort of ethics question involving electrocuting people running for election.

Going away highly disappointed...