Welding Circuit Sizing Calculator
Screen individual welder circuit conductor and overcurrent-device values using nameplate current and user-entered rule factors.
Enter nameplate and rule inputs
Entered sizing check
About this calculator
Compare a welder circuit conductor’s adjusted ampacity and selected overcurrent-device rating with limits calculated from nameplate current and factors entered by the user.
The inputs are deliberately explicit because applicable sizing rules vary by welder type, operating duty, and installation.
Method and assumptions
Calculated conductor minimum = nameplate current × duty-cycle factor × conductor factor. Calculated maximum protection = nameplate current × duty-cycle factor × protection factor.
This limited arithmetic does not include all NEC conditions, group installations, conductor adjustment/correction, equipment instructions, or other loads.
FAQs
Which current should I use?
Use the welder rated primary current and the nameplate markings required by the applicable rule for the exact welder type.
Are the default factors universally applicable?
No. Verify conductor and protection factors for welder type, duty cycle, installation, group conditions, and adopted NEC edition.
Sources
Verify all markings, sizing factors, conductor conditions, and overcurrent rules against the applicable adopted NEC edition and welder manufacturer documentation.
