I recently purchased a Lincoln Precision TIG 375 welder(here) at a business liquidation auction. It came with huge pin type connectors (shudda been a hint). After I got it home and read the manual, I discovered it requires a 175 amp breaker when used to it's max capability. I have 200 amp service and if I can get that size breaker for my panel or a replacement panel, can this be done or would 400 amp service be best? I figure it is unlikely that I would ever be welding up an aircraft carrier at the same time I'm drying laundry and cooking dinner.

I really doubt you will be able to find a 175 amp breaker that will fit and is listed for any manufacturer's 200 amp panelboard. The largest will be 100 or 125 amp at the most.

Before you upgrade to 400 amp, and the Nimitz pulls up, you can try using the largest size breaker that will fit in your panel. The welder may be rated to require a 175 amp feeder, but that rating is for when the welder will be used for welding large materials.

If your only going to be doing .25" or .5" materials, a 100 amp feeder will be fine. If you end up needing more power due to the type or size materials you work with, then you can upgrade to a 400 amp.

I hope you got the female mate to the Pin & Sleeve male connector. If not be prepared to spend $150.00-$250.00 for the mate, depending on the amp size, voltage rating, and manufacturer.

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Originally Posted by tkrussell

I hope you got the female mate to the Pin & Sleeve male connector...

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Yep, I annoyed the electrician that was unhooking everything after the sale as his opinion was that the female connector went with the building. Speaking of which, the connectors are Pass & Seymour PS3100P7-W (Male) & PS3100C7-W (Female). The sticker on the connector reads 100 A 480VAC 2P 3W Watertight. Does the lack of specific 230V info mean they are not rated for 200+ A / 230VAC single phase use? The specs at http://www.passandseymour.com/pdf/U089.pdf seem to indicate that they use a different color coded connector for 250V.

Since the connector is rated for 480 volts, it will handle 230 volts. If it was the other way around, then no, a 260 volt unit cannot handle 480 volts. You may want to try to find one from a surplus dealer on the net, as these are very expensive connectors.

You may be able to connect your welder hardwired, with flexible conduit, as long as a disconnect switch is close by.