welder - IMPAX IM MMA 1400 -power requirements

[Tigercubrider]

Ok
so a mate has acquired a brand new (four years old) welder. It doesn't have a plug on it.
AFAIk you can run it on a 13A supply but to run at full power need to fit a 16A connector.

He has a 16 or 32 connector not too far away.

how acceptable is it to fit a 16A connector, then make a 13A to 16A adaptor for use on normal sockets ( which apparently people do) and then make or buy a 16A extension lead to supply full power on the odd occasion?

https://www.screwfix.com/p/impax-im...0v/17498#product_additional_details_container

thanks

 

[flameport]

Adaptors between almost anything can be made, but if it requires more than 13A, the fuse in the plug will blow on a regular basis. That is when people decide to replace the fuse with other things, damage occurs to wiring and fires start.

It is not acceptable to connect something which requires more than 13A to a 13A outlet, regardless of how the connection is made.

As for how much current it requires -
The Screwfix site states 'max input current 19.5A' which if true would mean a 32A connection would be required.
The instructions downloaded from the Screwfix site state 9.8A implying it would have a 13A plug already fitted.
The website for the manufacturer as stated in the instructions is 'under construction' and has been since 2014.

Might as well use one of these to get answers:

Crystal ball

• flameport
• 1 Mar 2009
• 2

However a welder with a 140A output is not likely to have an input current below 13A, or even anywhere near that.
If it did, that would require a ratio of at least 10:1, with a resulting output voltage of only about 20 volts, which would be unusable for arc welding.