How to Wire an Electric Welder to the Breaker Panels

Connecting your electric welder directly into the breaker panel provides a permanent power supply. This is the ideal arrangement if your welder never leaves the garage. Have an electrician install the correct size breaker and wire gauge in the electrical panel for the needs of your specific welder. You'll find this information in the owner's manual for your equipment. Connecting the welder's wires to source wires from the panel is simple once you understand where each one goes.

Noncontact voltage detector
Electrical box
Wire cutters
Wire stripper
Twist-on wire connectors
Screwdriver

Instructions

- 1
  Turn off the power for the dedicated circuit for the welder by opening the breaker. Confirm the power is off by touching a noncontact voltage detector to the wire's insulation.
- 2
  Insert the source wire through the side of the electrical box and pull in 6 to 8 inches of cable. Secure the wire to the box by tightening the compression mechanism with a screwdriver.
- 3
  Insert the power wire for the welder though another access hole in the side of the electrical box. Secure the wires to the box by tightening the compression mechanism.
- 4
  Strip 3/8 inch of insulation off all the wires in the box. Loosen the grounding screw in the back of the box. Wrap both of the green or bare wires around this screw and tighten it down.
- 5
  Twist together the two white wires with pliers and install a twist-on wire connector on top. Do the same for the black and red wires.
- 6
  Fold the wires back into the electrical box and install the cover with the two screws provided.
- 7
  Contact your local building authority to inspect your wiring before turning the power back on.

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