On Sat, 11 Aug 2007 19:31:08 -0400, Bob Engelhardt
wrote:

As the others have said, or referenced, the welder will require 50A *at
its maximum output* (225A). I don't think in 20 years that I have ever
run mine at more than 125A. So if I were adding an outlet in the
garage, say, I would run a 30A circuit just because I could use 10 ga
wire iso 6(?) ga. Cheaper and much easier to handle.

Wire is cheap if you only have to do it once - the cost difference
for a short run of #6 vs. #10 is negligible. It costs more to build
it once, rip it out, throw it on the scrap pile, and start over.

If it's a long run between the garage/workshop and the main service
panel, you run a 100A or 125A line and put a sub-panel in the garage.

Then the leads to the 50A 240V welder receptacle and your other
power tools are nice and short, and you can run the 5 HP air
compressor (30A 240V circuit) at the same time. If you ever plan to
get a plasma cutter you need air and weld power at the same time.

-- Bruce --