Welding socket needed for 17th edition board?

[JohnW2]

I read it as saying that single-phase welders >5kVA will not even be considered.

So did I - and that those ≤5kW will be at least considered, but with no certainty of their being 'approved'.

Kind Regards, John

 

[westie101]

ban-all-sheds wrote:
I read it as saying that single-phase welders >5kVA will not even be considered.

So did I - and that those ≤5kW will be at least considered, but with no certainty of their being 'approved'.

Absolutely correct

 

[skotl]

In reality, though... does anyone actually do this?

I know literally dozens of people who have welders (4x4 club with lots of rust) and I'd never heard of asking permission from their DNO to run them.

I'm hoping not to get into a "you must follow ze rules" debate, just an honest answer about whether the amateur-welder-in-the-street actually does this...

((as an aside, Aldi are selling 2.7KW arc welders right now for less than £35 - how many of these customers will be requesting permission?))

 

[JohnW2]

In reality, though... does anyone actually do this? I know literally dozens of people who have welders (4x4 club with lots of rust) and I'd never heard of asking permission from their DNO to run them

Quite so. I know dozens as well, and I don't think any of them are even aware of the requirement to 'ask permission from the DNO', let alone done it. As I wrote:

If permission is sought (which I imagine that it rarely is) to use a plug-in DIY welder ...

Kind Regards, John

 

[Ruggers]

Thanks guys.I will have to ask my mate and see if his lights are altered by it, his is a 130A. The one I have seen is here http://toolstoday.co.uk/shop.php?sec=prod&prod=54029&cat=53&gclid=CJOd4p7F38ECFaHMtAodbzoAWA

You say it would be fine on the wiring but would it not heat up and affect the insulation over time or years?

 

[ban-all-sheds]

You say it would be fine on the wiring but would it not heat up and affect the insulation over time or years?

No - nobody has said that.

The welders I'm looking at normally say they draw around 16amp max

Then it will be necessary to have a dedicated circuit and suitable socket and plug.

 

[333rocky333]

Model No: MIGHTYMIG150
Maximum Current: 150A
Wire Capacity: 0.9kg
Duty Cycle: 100% @ 30A, 15% @ 105A
Cooling System: Forced Air
Gas Type: CO2, Argon, CO2/Argon Mix
Torch: Non-Live
Power Input: 230V - 1ph
Absorbed Power: 4.5kW
Case Size: Compact
Weight: 26kg

 

[bernardgreen]

A chap near here was advised to cease using a large saw table after lights in nearby houses dipped when they heard the thing starting. He ignored this advice until a visit from "the electricity people" ( the DNO ? ) The table saw was never heard again.

 

[westie101]

Thanks guys.I will have to ask my mate and see if his lights are altered by it, his is a 130A

That could only work if you know he is fed from the same source as you, if so is he closer or further from the substation.
If fed from a different source what ia the cable length and type to compare between the two and of course the transformer size.

At the end of the day, yes folk are buying and connecting these welders without obtaining permission (motor loads as well, like compressors) all is fine until they start affecting the supply to others and they lose money when the use of them gets prohibited by the DNO.
For the NIL cost of making an enquiry I fail to see what the issue is!

 

[ban-all-sheds]

The issue is that there are people in this world who simply will not accept that they cannot do anything they like in their own homes.

 

[ban-all-sheds]

Power Input: 230V - 1ph
Absorbed Power: 4.5kW

So does that mean it needs a 20A supply?

 

[JohnW2]

The issue is that there are people in this world who simply will not accept that they cannot do anything they like in their own homes.

There are, indeed, such people. However, in the case we're discussing, I think a bigger issue is that very few members of the general public are even aware of the requirement to obtain permission to use things like welders and very big motors in their homes - AFAICS it is an issue that has had almost zero publicity.

Kind Regards, John

 

[Ruggers]

Westie how do you go about making the enquiry and what does it involve them doing? I think each house is supplied a feed from the road it then goes into one house and then back out into the neighbours from when I done some building, so 2 houses fed from each main cable.

 

[westie101]

Westie how do you go about making the enquiry and what does it involve them doing?

Just ring 0800 195 4141, you will need details of the welder or just ask them to send a form.

All that will happen is an office based calculation that will result in a yes/no answer and possibly an estimate of costs if any work is required.
If you do not wish to have the work done, no problem just don't connect.
Cost up to this point is NIL.

If as you say the set up is a supply to one house then a loop to the next. there is a risk of causing flicker on this master & loop set up.
But if you don't ask you'll never know

 

[JohnW2]

All that will happen is an office based calculation that will result in a yes/no answer ...

That calculation obviously must be based on a maximum permissible voltage change at the "point of common coupling" resulting from use (basically inrush current) of the welder (or whatever). Are you able to tell us what that limit is, or would you then have to be shot?

Kind Regards, John