"Tom Gardner" wrote in message ...
How far is the new outlet from the main service entrance panel? When in
doubt, you can't use wire that's too heavy.
50 amps at 50' = 6ga. 100 amps = 4ga.
50 amps at 100' = 4 ga. 100 amps = 1ga.
50 amps at 150' = 2 ga. 100 amps = 00ga.

I'm sure that better electrical people will respond. Is the garage
attached? Are you running wire overhead? Is the outlet the only load you're
questioning or is the whole garage on it's own circuit?

The garage is unattached. It has it's own 60 amp subpanel (I tried to
talk to the electrician about a larger one, but he convinced me I
would never need more than 60 amps). The welder outlet will be about
4 feet from the subpanel, using probably 6 feet of wire.

So 6 ga. would be ok for a 50 amp outlet, and maybe even 8 ga if my
local code allows it for a welder.

Thanks for the tips.

-Ryan