The handbook says for a 2 % voltage drop over 200 ft. to use #4. So your electrician is about right
with his suggestion of #6.

Bob Swinney
"SteveB" wrote in message ...
FACTS:

I need to run about 190' from breaker box to my shop. I have a double pole
breaker on a 200 (+ or -) v. that says 30 on each leg.

In the shop, I will be running a SP175+ 220v MIG Lincoln welder rated at 22
amps, but that only when cranked fully open. Most of the stuff is half
that. I will be running about four shop lights, radio, and a power tool or
two at any given time. My electrician buddy has suggested IIRC a #6 wire.

Does this sound adequate? Do I get the bundled wire, or use the separate
strands? How much voltage drop on that far? Is #6 marginal, or should I
slightly oversize?

Mike (my electrician) will put the right thing, but I just wanted to start
shopping and getting prices together. BTW, does anyone know what #6 copper
solid strand goes for now? There would be just about a 200' run.

I did get about 800' of 2.5" underground conduit for free, so that helped.

Steve