From the manual:

MAXIMUM INPUT AMPS (I₁max) 32.4A @110V/ 31.4A @ 220V

MAXIMUM INPUT RUNNING AMPS (I₁eff) 19.2A @ 110V/ 19A @ 220V

 

Yes, it will be safe to run it on the 12g and a 20amp breaker.

The 20amp CB will protect your circuit. BUT… since it looks as though it can draw up to 31amps running wide open you'll probably trip the CB if operating at higher welding amps.

I'd install the 240v receptacle, run the 160 and see if you trip the CB.

 

Thank you for the quick response. One person I talked to said that since it uses a 50amp plug I needed a 50amp breaker, but that didn't line up with anything else I had read.

I'll have to buy a new breaker anyway, should I just get a 30amp breaker or will I not be safe with the 12 Awg wire?


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4' run- you can use a 30amp CB. NEC art 630 allows for it as the welder is actually an "intermittent" machine.

 

It depends on the length of the run. I know the code book has length and usage limits and sometimes it allows smaller gauge wire for intermittent use...but I don't think a welder would qualify. It would be best to run 10 gauge for a 30 amp circuit...not just for safety but for the best performance out of your welder.

 

Alright good to know. The length of the run is only about 4', but it goes underground, so it would be hard to swap for 10 awg


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Put it on a 30 amp breaker and make it a "dedicated welding circuit".
As far as I can tell to make it a single receptacle dedicated welding circuit (the easiest kind to do and the hardest to screw up) there can be only receptacle set and it has to be labeled that its for a welding machine. Then you can fuse up to 100% more than what a wire and receptacle is typically fused for.

For example I wired up a 5-20R on a 30 amp breaker for use for my 120 volt welding machines. Its a single receptacle set, its wired with 10 gauge (not required for this application),but normally you can not put something such 5-20 which a 20 amp receptacle on anything bigger than a 20 amp breaker. But since this receptacle is the only one on the circuit and its labeled "welder only" its good.
If any one were to willy nilly replace a 20 amp breaker with a 30 amp in their house on a to code circuit that had several receptacles and maybe some lights, the only logical conclusion is there will be a fire in the middle of the night and everyone will die a horrible death.

 

Code allows us to use a smaller wire than other machines would require. The limited duty cycle of most small welders means the wire gets time to cool off. 12 wire therefore would likely be big enough. Code also allows fusing,(circuit breaker) of up to 200% for non motor welders. Elsewhere it limits fusing for #12 to 20 amps. I will read up on the hair splitting, but I'd play it safe, use #10, and a thirty amp breaker. 10 is limited to 30 amp breaker.

If your run is a long way from your utility transformer, You need to enlarge wire size to prevent excessive voltage loss.

 

So 8 wire and a 30 amp breaker on a dedicated circuit should be fine for a Hobart 190, right?

The run is 25-30 feet

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Yeah more than enough. But if you are buying a baker, why not get a 50A 8ga well support that

 

Breaker is to protect the wiring, not the machine. For 4 feet, why not just put in a dedicated welder circuit?