What plug for 25 amp 230V?

[RonRock]

I'm sure some here are aware of the plasma cutter group buy. Well they are being delivered now. I have received mine and need a plug for it. The specs say 25 amp input. The cord is 3 conductor with marking YC 3X2.5mm2. Pretty small conductors, not quite 12 gauge.

So it has been suggested that I use a 30 amp 230 V plug 6-30P.

That plug is huge for the cord. But seems to be the best available from my research.

There is also a 30 amp "Dryer" plug 10-30 which is what my table saw has on it.

Is a 10-30 appropriate for a tablesaw? Could I also use a 10-30 for my plasma cutter? Or is best practice to use the 6-30 on both? The tablesaw has a nice heavy cord with a molded plug so I'd rather not cot the plug off, but not opposed to that if that is the "right" way to do it. I intend to run a circuit for the plasma to the other side of the shop, so keeping the saw and plasma plugs the same would make sense.

I know that either will work, just not sure which is considered correct.

That lightweight cord is disappointing, but must get the job done. Probably can't push the upper limits of the machine very long.

 

[alfredeneuman]

A 6-30P would be correct for the plasma cutter.
A 10-30 is 2 wires plus the neutral connection, and is an ungrounded outlet.
It's now deemed obsolete, and being replaced by the 14-30 which has the three wires of the 10-30 plus a ground connection.

You would need to change the outlet to a 6-30, and use it for both.

 

[theoldwizard1]

So it has been suggested that I use a 30 amp 230 V plug 6-30P.

That plug is huge for the cord. But seems to be the best available from my research.

My (true) 2hp portable (it has wheels) compressor came with 6' 14/3 cord and a NEMA 6-20P. I swapped it out for a 15' 12/3 and the same plug.

There is also a 30 amp "Dryer" plug 10-30 which is what my table saw has on it

Good luck finding a 3 prong dryer cord or outlet. Everything is 4 prong these days.

Is a 10-30 appropriate for a tablesaw? Could I also use a 10-30 for my plasma cutter? Or is best practice to use the 6-30 on both? The tablesaw has a nice heavy cord with a molded plug so I'd rather not cot the plug off, but not opposed to that if that is the "right" way to do it.

I have only seen 10-30 and 10-50 on dryers and stoves, so I would say it is not "appropriate" for a saw or a plasma cutter. 6-20 or 6-30.

That lightweight cord is disappointing, but must get the job done. Probably can't push the upper limits of the machine very long.

Remove the cord from inside the machine and replace it with 10/3 cord. You can usually buy this by the foot on eBay. If you can find 10-30 outlets and plugs, use them.

 

[RonRock]

Thanks guys for the advice. As I was messing around in the shop I came across a cord that I had removed just for an instance like this. It is much heavier and seems like a great replacement for the lightweight OEM. So I pull it out and look it over. The wires are or at least seem to be larger, but a close look at the jacket revels that they are in fact 14 gauge. Bummer!

But I do agree a replacement cord is needed. I also found an old RV cord that fits the bill. 10/3 600v

I'll go with 6-30 plugs and replace the tablesaw plug and receptacle.

Cheers guys,
Ron

 

[pattenp]

If the cord came installed on the plasma cutter I don't see why you feel the need to replace it. Just put the plug you need on it.

 

[jpinca]

Just got mine, but shop is being drywalled. Thinking about using L6-30s.

 

[wyliesdiesels]

If the cord came installed on the plasma cutter I don't see why you feel the need to replace it. Just put the plug you need on it.

Exactly! If it came with the cord, why does the OP feel its inadequete? Surely the manu. has tested the unit with the cord it came with!

Put a 6-30 plug on it and be done with it! No need to reengineer something that u already paid for the engineering on!