Welding Tips and Tricks

I am new to the forum and wanting to significantly upgrade my mig welding capabilities. I want a machine that I won't regret or outgrow. I have decided to get the Lincoln Power Mig 360 MP. I've had folks tell me this machine will run on a 50 amp 230 volt circuit but note that it is a hybrid inverter/transformer machine. I am thinking I may need something more like a 90 or 100 amp circuit? Do any of you have the 350/360 machines? If so, what size breaker does it take?

If the machine requires 90/100 amps to get the full name plate rating, do I need to hard wire it to my box?

Not sure I've ever seen a receptacle for 90 amps, so may need advice on where to find that type receptacle, if they are made.

I want to be able to fabricate 3/8 to 3/4" plate on various projects and don't want buyer's remorse by buying a machine that doesn't have the duty cycle to routinely handle 1/2" or larger plate. Hoping others have a Lincoln Power Mig 350 or 360 MP and can advise on the circuit size they are using. I think I saw in a video that Jody has the 350 MP. I will have an electrician run my circuit so I don't burn my house down. Thanks in advance!

The duty cycle is what permits derating of conductors as per the NEC. You can use the I1eff rating of the machine. So long as it is 60A or lower, you could use a 14-60 receptacle plug and 4awg wire. Larger than 60 it might be cheaper to hardwire into a box that has a physical disconnect handle, as connectors/receptacles rated for 70A+ are quite expensive.

I had to buy a plug for a site I do some work at, that was rated, https://www.gordonelectricsupply.com/p/ ... gJLGfD_BwE
Basically one of these. Only 60 amps but about $300 just for the male one I needed.

Thanks guys. I am slow on the uptake so please forgive: sounds like I can plan to hard wire or buy a very expensive plug. This said, should my breaker be a 90 amp rating. Curious how others with 350 to 360 rated machines that are hybrid transformer/inverter wired their circuits.

If you are going to pay an elechicken, isn't that what they do? Please wire my shed for this machine, and make sure it can handle maximum angry pixies. The end.

I had a PowerMIG 300 for a while (same internals as the PM 350) and ran it on a 50A breaker with no problems at all.

weldin mike 27 wrote:If you are going to pay an elechicken, isn't that what they do? Please wire my shed for this machine, and make sure it can handle maximum angry pixies. The end.

Yup then it will be to code, that has allowances for it being a welder circuit.