H07RNF Cable

[simplysimon]

Hi

can I use H07RNF single core cable for the earth and electrode on my old oxford rt180 ?

its only ever going to get used on 240v and I need to replace my existing set, I like the flexibility of this type of cable as opposed to the PVC stuff that comes on most asian machines.

this company does it by the meter, I was thinking of around 8M each at 25mm2 £4.41 +vat per meter

http://www.shop.solar-wind.co.uk/acatalog/cable_ho7rnf_rubber.html

any thoughts

 

[BrokenBiker]

welding cable and single core cables are not the same thing. Afaik welding cable is insulated with different materials and normal cable is designed for higher voltages than amperage, welding cable is the opposite really

 

[Premiershipman]

What about SY cable ?

I used this for my welding extension cable.

http://www.tlc-direct.co.uk/Main_Index/Cable_Index/Multi-Flex/index.html

 

[GrahamGKD]

You can get rubber insulated welding cable for around the same sort of money?

Have a look here - I think Weldequip will do it as well but I can't see it listed.

.... or TLC?

 

[Robotstar5]

Welding cable will have a lot more (finer) strands than an equivalent size H07RNF cable which gives it more flexibility and longer life before the strands start breaking.

 

[wheresmejumper]

Got some 25mm from local welding supplies lately for €3 per meter, about half of what you quote

 

[BrokenBiker]

Cromwell do welding cable at around 5 quid a metre iirc

 

[PTvor]

I'd be inclined to get cable sold as welding cable by a welding supplier, then you know it's the right stuff.

Like this for instance.

http://www.rapidwelding.com/dynamic/DisplayItem.aspx?c=A2F025L100&zl=1

But ask round your local welding suppliers and you may be pleasantly surprised.

The H07RNF cable doesn't seem any cheaper, and if it's not quite right for some reason, it's a lot of money to waste.

 

[Rig Pig]

I have some second hand heavy earth cable that I use for extending the welding leads, I have fitted Dinz plugs on short leads to the Oxford so I can swap them over easily, however the stiff wire would be horrible to work with so I just plug the 3mtr torch stinger in the end of the extension lead. If you can find some cheap extension cables go for it, but real welding leads have much tougher insulation and are far more flexible so if your comparing new with new I would go with the real thing

 

[Jim Davey]

Proper 25mm2 welding cable is very flexible, has good resistance to melting and is significantly cheaper than the HO7 stuff you are looking at, PM me for a very competitive price if you're interested? I have the correct heavy duty tool for crimping on lugs etc if that's what you require.

 

[simplysimon]

wow fantastic replies, I'm glad I asked now.

I think I need to visit a few of the local welding suppliers and get a piece in my hands to see just how supple 25mm2 and 35mm2 is and the different types of cable there are, I have a 250A 240v-440v MMA from screwfix, it was on clearance for £65 and at the time I thought it would be ok...ish but it has the duty cycle of a knackered mouse with a broken leg, it spent more time on the thermal cutout than I did using it anyway it has about 3M of the nastiest cable, the earth clamp fractured and I had to reattach it, I could hold the cable without the earth clamp on it about 18"-24" from the end and it would stay horizontal... absolutely horrible, the torch end had a mind of it own as well, oh well... that's the type of cable I don't want.

 

[Robotstar5]

it spent more time on the thermal cutout than I did using it ....

Has it got a cooling fan?

 

[Jim Davey]

Decent welding cable is nothing like the rock hard tat that comes on cheapo machines. You'll not be disappointed.

 

[simplysimon]

Has it got a cooling fan?

yep, for all the good it did, just popped down the shed, its a Kende BX1-250C I really like the idea that its rain protected.. I imagine when the graphics designer came to do the front layout and whilst looking through his newly acquired dingbat fonts alongside the fast fan he saw the umbrella and thought damn that'll look cool...

 

[Robotstar5]

yep, for all the good it did, just popped down the shed, its a Kende BX1-250C I really like the idea that its rain protected..

That symbol means it needs protecting from the rain, so throwing it outside to cool off in the rain won't work

 

[PTvor]

I have a 250A 240v-440v MMA from screwfix, it was on clearance for £65 and at the time I thought it would be ok...ish but it has the duty cycle of a knackered mouse with a broken leg, it spent more time on the thermal cutout than I did using it anyway it has about 3M of the nastiest cable, the earth clamp fractured and I had to reattach it, I could hold the cable without the earth clamp on it about 18"-24" from the end and it would stay horizontal... absolutely horrible, the torch end had a mind of it own as well, oh well... that's the type of cable I don't want.

Welders like that have had every corner cut to produce something that can be described and sold as a welder without falling foul of the Trades Descriptions Act. Decent cables are definitely not going to be a part of the scene.

 

[Jim Davey]

You get exactly what you pay for.

 

[simplysimon]

You get exactly what you pay for.

I'm not even sure I got that much.