What size 220V Wiring?

[mountain eagle]

If your electician would only use 8, either it was a long run, he figured it would pull more than 30 amps on startup or he a bunch of 8 on his truck he needed to use up.

Yup.... and or he's generally unfamiliar with welder stuff and knows that an easy upsize is good to do when in doubt.....

[WookieWelding]

or he thought that maybe a 20 amp 110 along with a 30 amp 220 would be nice on that #8