Bypassing Dryer Outlet for a Welder?

[Jonmustang]

We don't use the 220v dryer outlet in the laundry room (bought a gas dryer instead). So, I'd like to use it for welding and/or an air compressor in the garage. The 220 line runs right along the garage wall, so I guess I could tap it just about anywhere.

However, some future home owner might want an electric dryer more than a 220v outlet in the garage, I figure. I don't want to be one of "those guys" who ruins a house for the next person. Is there safe, legal way to perhaps install a switch that routes the power to only one of the two locations at a time? Or can I just leave the dryer outlet's wiring disconnected in the wall with enough slack to reconnected it someday?

My apologies if my ideas make any of you electricians cringe -- I really do not know what is code, but at least I have the common sense to ask first if I'm doing somethin' stupid

 

[C96]

a switch that routes the power to only one of the two locations at a time?

Here you go!

 

[sublimate]

Why do you need to disconnect it? You can have multiple outlets on a circuit.

 

[Syberia]

See above. If someone uses the welder and the dryer at the same time it will trip the breaker. This is fine.

 

[Jonmustang]

Why do you need to disconnect it? You can have multiple outlets on a circuit.

Wow, is that right? Somehow I just assumed that 220v was "special" and you couldn't load it up with multiple outlets like you might with 110.

 

[Jonmustang]

Here you go!

Hah, perfect!

 

[rsanter]

What I did was to disconnect the wire from the breaker but leave it in place
Then I ran a new wire from the dryer breaker to the outlet in the garage.
When I was selling the house I removed the welder outlet in the garage and reconnected the wire going to the laundry room outlet before listing the house.
Easy

Bob

 

[trainer]

What I did was to disconnect the wire from the breaker but leave it in place
Then I ran a new wire from the dryer breaker to the outlet in the garage.
When I was selling the house I removed the welder outlet in the garage and reconnected the wire going to the laundry room outlet before listing the house.
Easy

Bob

If your going to do this, why not add a dedicated breaker for the welder and leave the dryer circuit alone?

 

[pattenp]

I can't speak for everywhere in the US, but Virginia code does not allow multiple outlets on a circuit that are greater than 120V and 20 amps.

 

[Norcal]

Wow, is that right? Somehow I just assumed that 220v was "special" and you couldn't load it up with multiple outlets like you might with 110.

"220" is special, it's 50 hertz and is the color code is brown for the live/hot & blue for the neutral & not avail in the US. All kidding aside, run a new 240 volt circuit it will prob be cheaper then that selector switch shown & certainly less Rube Goldbergish.

 

[FlyingLow]

Also you could remove the dryer plug and splice a wire and run it back to your garage which would turn the dryer plug box into a junction box keeping it down to one plug on the circiut. Put a blank plate over the box where you removed the plug.

 

[JohnX14]

Also you could remove the dryer plug and splice a wire and run it back to your garage which would turn the dryer plug box into a junction box keeping it down to one plug on the circiut. Put a blank plate over the box where you removed the plug.

Seems like the simplest option in this situation. If house sells, reinstall dryer receptacle and remove welding receptacle.

 

[Jonmustang]

I can't speak for everywhere in the US, but Virginia code does not allow multiple outlets on a circuit that are greater than 120V and 20 amps.

Code here in Alameda County of the SF Bay Area, California is said to be a bit harsh... that's what electricians have told me anyhow. I should check.

 

[Jonmustang]

If your going to do this, why not add a dedicated breaker for the welder and leave the dryer circuit alone?

Along with other options that have been mentioned (like making the dryer outlet into a junction box, or leaving the dryer wiring partially installed) I would of course consider a dedicated breaker too.

However, I was told by an electrician that we're just about maxed out on our available space in the breaker box and didn't really check for myself. I went down there this morning and snapped a picture that I hope will be helpful (see attached). Rather than ask questions that will show my ignorance, I'll just let the picture do the talking and hopefully someone can "translate" it for me. To the untrained eye, it looks like I have "space", right?

 

[pattenp]

You have the open 240V 30A if it's marked correctly as "Spare".

 

[justsam]

Based on that picture showing "spare", you not only have space, but you already have the breakers, at least for a 240V, 30 Amp circuit.

The right way to do it is to use those breakers, and run some new wiring to where you want the new outlet. It's the right way, leaves your dryer wiring in place, and future buyer will have a real 240V outlet in the garage.

 

[volleyball]

See, a picture is worth a thousand posts.
You are good to run wire and outlet.

 

[dogdog]

why not just get a male plug for the dryer and a female receptacle for your welder put it all in a metal box accompany with the proper 10/4 or 10/3 soow wires. a pigtail converter sort of thing. expensive dependent how far you are welding from your dryer. but it is mobile and non intrusive if that is what you are worrying about.

 

[George in Rancho Cordova]

Being in the Bay Area, it may help sell the house if there is 220 available in the garage to charge the Prius (or Tesla).

 

[rmhornback]

Based on the picture, you have the space. But you might have to do a little rearranging. The 2 breakers currently marked spare would be on the same side of the buss. You need two breakers next to each other.

 

[justsam]

Based on the picture, you have the space. But you might have to do a little rearranging. The 2 breakers currently marked spare would be on the same side of the buss. You need two breakers next to each other.

I don't think so. Adjacent makes it 240, and two slots away makes it 240. You just do not want one slot in between, or it will be same leg.

 

[Jonmustang]

Great! Thanks everyone. Thank god for cameraphones, right? Made this all a lot easier to talk about.

The panel is only about 3-4' away from where I would ideally put a 220v outlet for the welder, so I'm gonna install a separate outlet on those "spare" breakers. I've worked with 110v plenty in outlets and switches around the house, but both 220v and working inside of electrical panels is new to me. Wanna make sure I make it to code. Seems straightforward, but there are gaps in my knowledge.

So, rather than ask all my individual and utterly basic questions in this thread, I wonder if someone can point me towards a good tutorial that'll explain the basics of breakers and panels. Or I can ask each dumb question, but it could get exhausting for y'all

 

[Jonmustang]

Being in the Bay Area, it may help sell the house if there is 220 available in the garage to charge the Prius (or Tesla).

 

[The mean fish]

Can you weld in your garage in the Bay Area without a hot work permit, the fire department on standby and a 25 million dollar insurance policy?

 

[Jonmustang]

Can you weld in your garage in the Bay Area without a hot work permit, the fire department on standby and a 25 million dollar insurance policy?

"Welding? No, no officer... those were sparklers that I attached to a fog machine."

 

[rmhornback]

You are correct. I was looking at it wrong. But code in Indiana would require the handles to be tied, so they would have to be next to each other in that case.

 

[sublimate]

You are correct. I was looking at it wrong. But code in Indiana would require the handles to be tied, so they would have to be next to each other in that case.

They are tied - that's what that C-shaped piece is.

 

[deter]

You are correct. I was looking at it wrong. But code in Indiana would require the handles to be tied, so they would have to be next to each other in that case.

wrong again... the advice/information you get on the internet is worth exactly what you pay for it

 

[deter]

OP, I wouldn't say you're "good to go" just yet. you (or eletrician) need to take the panel cover off and see if there is anything connected to the 'spare' 2pole 30A breaker.

 

[Northeast Rod Run]

Why do you need to disconnect it? You can have multiple outlets on a circuit.

In my area, your dryer has to be on a dedicated circuit all by itself

 

[Jonmustang]

OP, I wouldn't say you're "good to go" just yet. you (or eletrician) need to take the panel cover off and see if there is anything connected to the 'spare' 2pole 30A breaker.

Well, sure, but we haven't done any upgrades to the house since the electrician installed that panel years ago. There's always a chance he mislabeled it, but if it was "spare" then, it's still spare now... fingers crossed, anyway!

 

[volleyball]

Have you accounted for all your 220v loads? Cooktop, water heater, pump?
Easy thing to do is shut off the spare and see if something fails. A/C suddenly quits working, Bingo.
At worst, disconnect dryer wire or add a small subpanel

 

[Champanada]

Being one to try and do everything RIGHT, I would definitely NOT hook up what should be a dedicated circuit(s) to that breaker in the picture. I would pull that breaker out and get 2 2-pole breakers (one 30A for the dryer and one 50A for the welder) and run separate circuits to each.

 

[RM209]

I can't speak for everywhere in the US, but Virginia code does not allow multiple outlets on a circuit that are greater than 120V and 20 amps.

My inspector said the same thing for MD residential service as well.

RM209

 

[sberry]

There are a lot of ways to do things for those with a good understanding of a few things but for residential DIY home/hobby and some small biz apps there is no better way than wire from breaker to recept, no splice, dedicated circuit. There are even cases for this on 120V,, welding, saws and compressors.

Under normal circumstances, without heavy welding and constant air consumption most home hobby garages are rather insignificant on electric load demand. Also excludes heat or ovens but its still easy to use up 20 spaces in a panel. Adding simple short circuits cost relatively little as DIY and makes it all safer and super easy.

My neighbor is a poster child for this simplicity, 3 120 circuits, 1 for lights and a couple for tools, 1 for welding and one for air. He has a gob of stuff but runs one at a time.
Contrary to popular belief nothing falls out if you remove the cover, take a look inside the box. I find stuff wrong with them all the time poking around.

Simple thing here is to change out the recept. Would have a welder recept in a few minutes.