A typical 240V welder (up to 250A output) draws about 40-50 amps from the wall. Smaller 120V welders can use a standard 20A outlet.
| Recommended wire | 6/2 with ground |
| Breaker | 50A double-pole |
| Voltage | 240V |
| Typical amperage | 40A |
| Circuit amperage | 50A |
| NEC reference | NEC 630 |
| Max recommended distance | 35 feet (without voltage drop concerns) |
Welders have a duty cycle rating. A welder rated at 200A/30% duty cycle draws maximum current only 30% of the time, which affects the NEC wire sizing calculation.