110v or 220v plasma cutter choice

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cg 2005

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My new plasma cutter offers a choice of inputs; 110v @ 20a and 220v @ 20a.

The generator I will use has receptacles for both 120v and 240v, each 30 amp outputs.

I run my dc inverter stick welder off the 220v, 30 amp receptacle. This leaves the 120v, 30 amp receptacle available for the plasma cutter.

The plasma cutter output for either input is a 60% duty cycle at 50 amps.

Since both of the plasma cutter's input requirements are 20 amp circuits what is the advantage, if any, to using 220v?

Thanks
 
It should be able to cut thicker material on 220volt. Ohms law is amps x volts =watts. So at 120x 30=3600watts 220x30=6600watts. That's assuming the machine can use all the power
 
The power use is much more efficient using 220. This is just my opinion but when it comes to electrical use in welding equipment 220 is always the best choice.
 
It is the output current that counts on a plasma cutter. In case it leaves 50 amps both on 110 and 220 input you can opt for 110 and use the spare 110 V output from the generator.
 
cg 2005 said:
My new plasma cutter offers a choice of inputs; 110v @ 20a and 220v @ 20a.

The generator I will use has receptacles for both 120v and 240v, each 30 amp outputs.

I run my dc inverter stick welder off the 220v, 30 amp receptacle. This leaves the 120v, 30 amp receptacle available for the plasma cutter.

The plasma cutter output for either input is a 60% duty cycle at 50 amps.

Since both of the plasma cutter's input requirements are 20 amp circuits what is the advantage, if any, to using 220v?

Thanks
Click to expand...

I think you may want to check your generator again. Unless that unit is big, it's output more likely be 120V @ 30amps (3600 watts) OR 240V at 30 amps (7200 watts). Not both at the same time. Also on the plasma cutter normally when you double the voltage you half the current required. Therefore 110v @ 20A would be 220v @ 10 amps. If the rating you listed is true, the at 220V @ 20A will have twice as much power (kilowatts) allowing you to cut thicker materiel.

I personally like to run my bigger equipment at 220/240 volts. You have less voltage drop in you house wiring and the motors have more oomph when starting.
 
TS may not stick weld and plasma-cut simultaneously :thinking:
 
One unit in use at a time, but I could have the both plugged in if the welder was on 220 and the cutter on 120. I understand the wattage difference, which I had not thought about. It may not be an issue since my primary cutting thickness will be <1/2" steel.
 
OK,

It is just the amount of current from the torch that counts in this case. 50 amps output cutting amps is 50 amps independent if the input voltage is 110-120 or 240 Volt.
 
Check the output specifications again. I think you will find that the output voltage is about 100 volts DC. That said you will likely only get about 25 amps output when running on 120 volt 30 amp AC power supply.
 
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