240v Electrical Cable Thickness?

[John_D4]

My 15amp welder said in the user manual not to use extension cords. I need one tho!

Is 20m 15amp 3 core 1.5mm2 thick enough to account for voltage drop or should I be looking for some 5 core and use 2 wires for active & 2 for neutral? I need prob about 15m of extension cord in total. I don't mind putting in a 20amp point if needed. As my existing 15amp point is near the metre box so it’d be easy to add a 20amp if needed.

[trout1105]

Ideally you shouldn't use extension cords with welders But I have done it on countless occasions and all I have had to do is crank the amps up a bit[thumbsupbig]

[John_D4]

A friend suggested 4mm flex but we weren’t sure if the plugs would fit or I needed bigger plugs

[trout1105]

Just get yourself a standard 15m 15a extension cord and don't try to overthink this[thumbsupbig]

[W&KO]

We run extension leads all the time as there is never an outlet where you need it onsite. Sometimes trips, most of the time we don’t trip.

What rods to you need to burn?

I recently had to do a heap of welding on my garden edging at home, ran 30m ext. lead burning 2.5mm rods with out issue.

[Homestar]

Over 20 meters in 1.5mm is fine - simple voltage drop calculator says just over 4%, and that’s assuming you have the welder cranked up and drawing 15 amps.

[John_D4]

I have a 135amp mig/arc. I need to weld brackets onto my 120mm retaining wall posts so I can attach my 3m x 90mm carport posts. Building a carport in the easement that’s having 1 side attached to my existing concrete retaining wall. I’m going to buy the mig torch/gas/gauges so this job will be my 1st mig welding job.

I’ve run extension cords for my old arc without s problem

[goingbush]

You can buy 15 Amp 2.5mm extension cords.

[John_D4]

So a 2-4% voltage drop is ok?

[Homestar]

Yep, no problems at all.

[John_D4]

Cool. Thanks everyone

[John_D4]

I can’t seem to find any links for 15amp 2.5mm extension cords. Where can I get one?

[Homestar]

A standard 1.5mm 15 amp lead will be fine but 2.5mm leads are about - 15A Extension Lead With 2.5 Mm Conductors (https://weldingstore.tokentools.com.au/15a-extension-lead-with-2.5-mm-conductors/) but as you can see - a 20 meter lead is very expensive - these guys only have an earth shielded 20 meter lead which is just shy of $300

[trout1105]

I can’t seem to find any links for 15amp 2.5mm extension cords. Where can I get one?

Try Bunnings or any caravan accessory store or even BCF.

[Homestar]

Try Bunnings or any caravan accessory store or even BCF.

None of those guys carry the 2.5mm leads - they are pretty specialised. Tool stores or welding supplies would be be the best bet.

[Vern]

Or go to any electrical wholesalers and buy 20m of 2.5mm2 3 core flex, and a 15amp plug top and extension socket with the large opening for larger cable. Probably about $40 in bits though.

[Toxic_Avenger]

I bought a heap of 15A extension leads for a field day welding demonstration.
Had a local electrician make them up.
They have the cable, and the crimper to install the moulded 15A plugs.

Your limiting factor will be the circuit it's connected to, and the voltage tolerance of the machine (should be on the data plate on the machine- something like 240V +/- 15%.
If voltage drop exceeds 240-15%, machine won't be happy.

[Toxic_Avenger]

I should also mention... you can buy the orange, modular IP rated 15A plugs which will fit on a large range of cable sizes (10A pictured, but same thing essentially).

https://www.voltexelectrical.com.au/images/product/large/C66P310_aDEC2017.jpg

[John_D4]

Thanks. I was thinking of going to an electrical wholesaler and buying some 2.5mm flex and a plug & socket.

[Vern]

Captive sockets are to expensive for domestic use, just get moulded plug and socket.

[goingbush]

Im not home ATM to take a photo of mine, but I got my 15A Orange 2.5mm extension cord with regular moulded plug and socket on the end from Middys for $75.00 , purchased for my EV Landy incase I cant get close enough to my 15A power point.

[John_D4]

Im not home ATM to take a photo of mine, but I got my 15A Orange 2.5mm extension cord with regular moulded plug and socket on the end from Middys for $75.00 , purchased for my EV Landy incase I cant get close enough to my 15A power point.

Is this what you bought?https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20190608/d3d7619903e8328560ed995faf94e361.jpg

[goingbush]

Is this what you bought?

I don't remember the brand but looks identical as far as the colour and type of moulded plug . I specifically asked for 2.5mm over the counter, and confirmed by the embossed lettering on the outside off the cable every meter or so along the length.