Blue commando socket

[Hellmooth]

Hi I have a commando socket to fit in my work unit to supply a gas welder, am I right in saying these come in 16 and 32 amps? What size of breaker would be best, I can't seem to find the right info on the welder for working out the max load?

thanks

craig

 

[Marvo]

Commando sockets come in many sizes some over 100A but 16 and 32A are common sizes for small commercial applications. Blue usually denotes it's 3-pin suitable for single phase.

You need to find out the load for the welder first and work from there

 

[Hellmooth]

Yeah blue is for 230v I believe.............I've asked the welder he doesn't have a clue he just uses it the info on the welder ranges from 120a to 200 odd, which clearly isn't correct! I tried it on a 16a type c which was spare on the board, kept tripping so tried it on a 32a and it worked fine, want to make sure first tho before I put it on its own breaker.

 

[Geordie Spark]

If you're employing a welder to do your welding, why not employ an electrician to supply & fit your socket??

 

[Octopus]

Yeah blue is for 230v I believe.............I've asked the welder he doesn't have a clue he just uses it the info on the welder ranges from 120a to 200 odd, which clearly isn't correct! I tried it on a 16a type c which was spare on the board, kept tripping so tried it on a 32a and it worked fine, want to make sure first tho before I put it on its own breaker.

So at first you don't succeed....

Not the best approach is it?

 

[ChrisElectrical88]

Little info again. What size cable have you got supplying it?

 

[Hellmooth]

I am an electrician Geordie just have limited experience in this cheers. It's a 4mm swa spinks. And probably not Murdoch.

 

[ChrisElectrical88]

Right, get it working on the 32 A socket to start with then get a amp meter on it? Make sure you get it on at maximum working load though!

 

[44ALLAN]

Check the Primary fuses in the set they'll give you a clue if you can't get the info off the nameplate

 

[telectrix]

probably find a type C will be required.

 

[Hellmooth]

Thanks, yes it was a type c I tried it on temporarily tel.

 

[iamelectric]

maybe even a D type , we fit D types for all welder sockets as the starting current is enormous

 

[Hellmooth]

What sort of start up currents you talking iam? What do they draw under normal conditions?

 

[iamelectric]

not to sure on the numbers , but the company that supply's them always specs D type as the initial draw usually trips b and c types

 

[iamelectric]

need to watch your zs values tho

 

[huddsy]

Yep type D for welders as stated but watch the Zs values comply before you do !

 

[ChrisElectrical88]

I f you get it working temp then you will be able to work out the start up current as well mate, then just look at your MCB curves and work it out from there. Like iamelectric said, with a D type you need to be careful with your Zs values as these are 1/4 the maximum values of a B type and 1/2 of a C type. Plus if you are testing the circuit cold i would check out the permissable values in the back of your GN3 for such a piece of equipment.

 

[Hellmooth]

Cheers guys info is brilliant and the reason I wanted to ask before putting circuit into service.

 

[Geordie Spark]

I am an electrician Geordie just have limited experience in this cheers. It's a 4mm swa spinks. And probably not Murdoch.

Champion!

 

[telectrix]

the wonder horse, or a spark plug?