STANDARDS & APPROVALS: Welders should look for key industry standards and approvals, ensuring quality and performance while protecting against substandard manufacturing. Superior flexibility, durability, and resistance properties are also vital to a welding cable’s ability to perform in a range of demanding applications and environments. An improper gauge size will not carry the anticipated current, which can cause excessive heat absorption (melting and fire hazard), failure, and damage to equipment.ĬONSTRUCTION: Welding cable construction uses a multi-stranded single conductor insulated (or jacketed) by a single layer of EPDM or neoprene thermoset with a temperature rating of -50☌ (-58☏) to 105☌ (221☏). If a longer cable is needed, the user should consider thicker gauge sizes. A longer, thinner welding cable will carry lower ampacity. GAUGE SIZE: It is critical to select the proper gauge size for the given welding application. It is essential to keep in mind (1) ampacity ratings decrease as length increases due to additional resistance, and (2) welding cable should be spread apart to allow heat to dissipate during use. LENGTH: Welding cables should be long enough to provide the user with adequate length to reach all work areas-without becoming a hazard. Specifications that should be considered when selecting welding cable include:ĪMPACITY: Welding cable ampacity (also known as current-carrying capacity or current rating) refers to the maximum amount of current (in amperes) that a cable conductor can continuously and safely carry without exceeding the operating temperature rating. This information is for reference only, and it is highly recommended the user consult a licensed electrical engineer for a particular welding application.įor welding applications, using the proper cable gauge size is critical to ensure high-quality welds and protect the user and their welding equipment. Once there, click on their link to free access to the 2020 NEC ® edition of NFPA 70.Direct Wire’s welding cable ampacity chart intends to support and guide welding professionals toward the proper cable gauge and length. See the actual NEC ® text at NFPA.ORG for the complete code section. See code language below.īelow is a preview of the NEC ®. In addition, the notes under the table have been reworded for usability and the title of the table has been shortened up significantly. In the 2020 NEC ®, with the restructuring that occurred from moving the medium voltage conductor requirements from Article 310 to new Article 311, ampacity Table 310.15(B)(16) has been given its old title back and is now, once again, Table 310.16. Table 310.16 was so well known before the 2011 code change that every code cycle since, including the 2017 NEC ®, there has been the following reminder at the top of the table: “Table 310.15(B)(16) (formerly Table 310.16) ”. With restructuring that occurred in the 2011 NEC ®, Table 310.16 was retitled “Table 310.15(B)(16)”. Back in the 2008 NEC ® and before, the most commonly used ampacity table was Table 310.16. Code Change Summary: Restructuring of Article 310 results in restoring the most commonly used ampacity table’s beloved title.įor 9 years now the electrical community has had a mouthful every time the most commonly used ampacity table was mentioned in conversation or spoken of during a seminar.
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