• You're one step from joining Welding Forum – Fabrication, MIG, TIG & Career Development.
    Create a free account to post, follow threads, and never miss an update.  Sign up free →

PowerPro tripping my breaker

blueoctober33

New member
Joined
Sep 13, 2025
Messages
2
Has anyone tried this small PowerPro 80 amp arc welder? I mostly make simple metal stuff like garden stakes and little brackets. It runs on 110V, which is nice, but when I turn it up, it keeps tripping the breaker in my garage. I think it's pulling more power than my setup can handle, especially when I weld thicker metal. I'm thinking about getting a small inverter welder instead. What worked for you? Let me know!
 
Yeah, that little PowerPro pulls harder than you'd think. On a 15A garage circuit, it'll pop every time when you crank it up. You really need a 20A breaker with decent wiring, or step up to a small inverter welder that sips power better.
 
Has anyone tried this small PowerPro 80 amp arc welder? I mostly make simple metal stuff like garden stakes and little brackets. It runs on 110V, which is nice, but when I turn it up, it keeps tripping the breaker in my garage. I think it's pulling more power than my setup can handle, especially when I weld thicker metal. I'm thinking about getting a small inverter welder instead. What worked for you? Let me know!
I agree with @Imperial_Alen.. that PowerPro is likely a transformer welder, and they are notoriously inefficient on 110V. You're right to be considering an inverter welder. They are more electrically efficient, so you get more usable welding power for less current pulled from the wall. A decent 110V inverter stick welder can easily run a 1/8" 6013 rod on a dedicated 20A garage circuit without the constant tripping. Look for one rated around 100-140A max output. It will be a massive upgrade for those garden stakes and brackets!
 
Small inverter welder will give you cleaner arcs, better duty cycles, and usually won’t overload your circuit as easily, so yh definitely worth the upgrade if you’re doing more than thin stuff
 
Back
Top