"Ignoramus18928" wrote in message
...
I am confused. The nameplate on my hobart cybertig says that at 230V,
it consumes 44 amps.

http://igor.chudov.com/projects/Weld...r/dscf0003.jpg

Absent the power factor number, that means roughly 220*44*sqrt(3) = 16
kW power consumption.

Yet, it is a 28V, 200A welder, which means approximately 6 kW power
output.

How can I reconcile these numbers? How can it take in 16 kW and yet
only produce 6 kW? That seems awfully wasteful.

I tried to estimate what it would take, assuming more reasonable power
efficiency.

It if produces 6 kW and wastes 2 kW as heat, then it would need 8 kW.
Estimating amps, 8 kW/220/sqrt(3) = 21 amp.

This is not an idle question for me. I have 3 phase cabling that is
capable of conducting 21 amps (combo of a 12 and 10 gauge cables). For
44 amps, I would need to spend big bucks to buy 4-6 flexible cable.

Also, I can easily support 8 kW power consumption after adding an
extra idler to my RPC. 16 kW is out of my realm of possibility due to
branch circuit capacity and common sense.

Some clarification would be appreciated.

I always thought the rated input current was the peak current (ie when you
initially strike an arc), with the rated output being the continuos current?