Hi everyone - I'm new to this forum although have browsed as a guest in the past. I have a very early Sealey Supermig 150 which is OK for the work around the farm I've needed to do so far. However, I am just finishing building a car workshop inside a large barn and have 3 phase available as this fed milking equipment (chillers, pumps and vacuum) adjacent to the barn. I'm looking at getting a better welder and someone suggested utilising the 3 phase supply. So, my question is: do 3 phase welders require 3 power phases plus a neutral plus the cpc (earth) or do they work on only the three phases with the erath on the 'star' point as all the farm/milking equipment does? My 3 phase installation doen't have a neutral - all cable runs, whether singles or SWA armoured are 4 core i.e. L1,L2,L3 plus earth only. I have single phase which of course has it's neutral but that is on another circuit altogether. If 3 phase welders do require a neutral plus the earth, I'll stop looking and buy the best single phase I can afford.
Sorry for length of post - Peter
Sorry for length of post - Peter