A stick (manual arc) inverter welder draws about 2.8 kW when welding at 100 amps, the typical current for a 3.2 mm electrode. With residential electricity at CLP 255.27 per kWh (CGE, BT1 tariff, October 2026), that is about CLP 721 for every hour of arc time. Since in real work the arc is lit only part of the time, an afternoon of welding at home usually costs less than it seems.
The tricky part is not the electricity bill but the wiring: a 160 to 200 amp welder can draw more current than a regular outlet can handle. In this guide we calculate how much an inverter welder consumes by amperage, what it costs in pesos, which amperage and electrode to choose, what the duty cycle means and what to check before plugging it in.
View the data as a table
| One hour of arc at 100 A | $721 |
| Maximum power of a 160 A unit | 5,300 W |
| Recommended breaker | 25 A |
| Cheapest welder | $52,990 |
How much an inverter welder consumes by amperage
The power a welder delivers is the amperage times the arc voltage. The international standard for welding equipment, IEC 60974-1, sets a conventional load voltage for stick welding of 20 V + 0.04 × amps (the Indura Arctig 200 LCD spec sheet reports exactly 20.8 to 28 V between 20 and 200 A): at 100 A, the arc runs at about 24 V and delivers 2.4 kW. An inverter welder has an efficiency of about 85%, the figure Indura states in the spec sheet of its Indurarc 150 Pro-2, so to deliver those 2.4 kW it draws about 2.8 kW from the grid.
| Welding current | Arc voltage (IEC 60974-1) | Power drawn from the grid | Cost per hour of arc |
|---|---|---|---|
| 80 A | 23.2 V | 2.18 kW | CLP 557 |
| 100 A | 24.0 V | 2.82 kW | CLP 721 |
| 130 A | 25.2 V | 3.85 kW | CLP 984 |
| 160 A | 26.4 V | 4.97 kW | CLP 1,269 |
| 200 A | 28.0 V | 6.59 kW | CLP 1,682 |
Energía Futura calculations with the IEC 60974-1 load voltage, 85% efficiency and electricity at CLP 255.27 per kWh from CGE's BT1 tariff. These are approximate values: each machine and electrode works at slightly different voltages.
The figures match what manufacturers state. The Bauker KIN160M2 welder, rated 160 A, lists a power of 5,300 W; the Flowmak MMA 200, rated 200 A, 6.8 kW, and the Indura Arctig 200 LCD, also 200 A, a maximum absorbed power of 8.5 kVA, according to its spec sheet. Those are maximum figures, at full current; welding at 100 A, consumption is less than half. The formula to calculate the cost of any appliance is in our guide on how to calculate electricity consumption.
What welding at home costs in pesos
In practice the arc is not lit all the time: you have to cut, fit the pieces, change the electrode and chip the slag. If in a three-hour afternoon the arc is lit for one hour at 100 A, the cost is about CLP 721. A gate or fence that takes five hours of arc time at 100 A costs about CLP 3,600 in electricity, much less than the electrodes.
| Job | Arc time | Current | Approximate cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Small repair | 20 minutes | 80 A | CLP 186 |
| Afternoon of work at home | 1 hour | 100 A | CLP 721 |
| Gate or fence | 5 hours | 100 A | CLP 3,605 |
| Structure with 4 mm electrode | 3 hours | 130 A | CLP 2,952 |
Energía Futura calculations with the consumption in the previous table and electricity at CLP 255.27 per kWh. If the welder runs on a generator on site, the cost is that of the fuel; how to size one is explained in our guide to the home electric generator.
Which amperage to choose by electrode
Amperage depends on the electrode diameter, and the electrode on the thickness of the metal. For the E6011 cellulosic electrode, the most used for home jobs, Lincoln Electric recommends the ranges in the table in its spec sheet. Inverter welders deliver direct current, so the column that matters is the DC one.
| E6011 electrode | Direct current (A) | Alternating current (A) | Welder that reaches it |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2.4 mm (3/32") | 40 to 75 | 50 to 85 | Any from 100 A |
| 3.2 mm (1/8") | 70 to 110 | 75 to 120 | 120 to 140 A |
| 4.0 mm (5/32") | 80 to 145 | 90 to 160 | 160 A or more |
| 4.8 mm (3/16") | 110 to 180 | 120 to 200 | 200 A |
Source: Lincoln Electric, Lincoln 6011 AS electrode spec sheet (AWS E6011). The last column is an Energía Futura recommendation with a margin over the top of each range.
For gates, metal furniture and repairs with 2.4 and 3.2 mm electrodes a 120 to 160 A welder is enough, starting at CLP 59,990 at Falabella. For structures with thick sections and 4 mm electrodes a 200 A unit is better, and it also runs more comfortably at 130 A.
Duty cycle: how many minutes in a row you can weld
The duty cycle says how many minutes out of ten the machine can weld at a given amperage without overheating. The Indura Arctig 200 LCD states 200 A at 40%: 4 minutes of arc and 6 of rest. At 163 A it rises to 60%, and at 126 A it can weld non-stop. The 160 A Bauker lists 40% at 160 A, and the 120 A Bauker, 60% at 120 A. If exceeded, the thermal protection cuts the arc until the machine cools down.
Does your company sell tools, welders or electrical equipment? Reach Energía Futura's readers.
See advertising formatsCan a home outlet handle an inverter welder?
It depends on the welding amperage and on the breaker that protects that outlet in the panel. The current the welder draws from the grid is its power divided by 220 V, and in inverter machines it grows because their power factor is below 1: the Indura Arctig 200 LCD spec sheet lists 0.77. With that figure, welding at 100 A draws about 17 A from the grid, and at 160 A, about 29 A.
| Welding current | Grid power | Approximate current at 220 V (power factor 0.77) |
|---|---|---|
| 80 A | 2.18 kW | 13 A |
| 100 A | 2.82 kW | 17 A |
| 130 A | 3.85 kW | 23 A |
| 160 A | 4.97 kW | 29 A |
| 200 A | 6.59 kW | 39 A |
Energía Futura calculations: power from the consumption table divided by 220 V and by the 0.77 power factor. The 200 A figure matches the 8.5 kVA absorbed power stated by Indura (8,500 ÷ 220 = 38.6 A).
- Check the outlet's breaker in the panel. With a 10 A breaker you can weld up to about 60 A, and with a 16 A one, up to about 95 A, according to the table's calculation.
- Check the welder's rating plate: it lists the maximum (I1max) and effective (I1eff) input current. Indura recommends a 25 A breaker for its Arctig 200 LCD.
- Avoid thin extension cords: a cable with a small cross-section heats up and lowers the voltage, and the arc becomes unstable.
- To weld above 130 A, ask an electrician authorized by Chile's SEC for a dedicated circuit with the right breaker and cable.
- Do not share the circuit with a kettle, heater or oven while welding.
At full load, a 200 A welder draws more than 6 kW. To compare that with the rest of the household's consumption, see our guide to how much electricity a house in Chile uses per month.
Inverter welder prices in Chile
At Falabella, on November 14, 2026, stick inverter welders started at CLP 52,990 (100 A Flowmak). 160 A units, such as the Bauker KIN160M2, cost CLP 69,990, and 200 A units ranged from CLP 115,990 (Flowmak MMA 200) to CLP 248,990 (Indura Indurarc 200 LCD). Multi-process machines, which also weld with MIG wire, started at CLP 109,990.
| Flowmak MMA 100 | 100 | 52,990 | — | — |
| Bauker 120 A | 120 | 59,990 | 60% at 120 A | — |
| Flowmak MMA 120 | 120 | 59,990 | — | — |
| Bauker KIN160M2 | 160 | 69,990 | 40% at 160 A | 5,300 W |
| Indura arco manual/TIG 180 | 180 | 99,990 | — | — |
| Flowmak MMA 200 | 200 | 115,990 | 60% at 200 A; 100% at 110 A | 6.8 kW |
| Indura Indurarc 200 LCD | 200 | 248,990 | 100% at 127 A | 9 kVA |
The price difference between brands is explained by the duty cycle, the components, technical service and the warranty. For occasional home use, a 120 to 160 A unit with a 40% to 60% duty cycle is enough; for daily work, a high duty cycle at the amperage you use most is advisable.
Frequently asked questions
How much power does an inverter welder use?
About 2.8 kW welding at 100 A and close to 5 kW at 160 A. At full load, 200 A units are rated between 6.8 kW and 9 kVA.
How much does an inverter welder cost to run?
With electricity at CLP 255.27 per kWh, about CLP 721 per hour of arc at 100 A and CLP 1,269 at 160 A. Since the arc is not lit all the time, an afternoon with one hour of arc at 100 A costs about CLP 721.
Can I plug an inverter welder into any outlet?
Only at low amperages. At 100 A it draws about 17 A from the grid, more than a 16 A breaker. To weld above 130 A a dedicated circuit installed by an authorized electrician is advisable.
What amperage do I need for a 3.2 mm electrode?
Between 70 and 110 A in direct current for an E6011, according to Lincoln Electric. A 120 to 140 A welder is enough.
What is a welder's duty cycle?
The minutes out of ten it can weld at a given amperage without overheating. 60% at 160 A means 6 minutes of arc and 4 of rest at that current.
