I was wondering if I decided to use a 220v 50 amp plug for an extension cord to my welding bench. Can I then take it back down to 110v? My outside plugs only handle 15 amps. So if I use my cutoff saw sometimes it likes to trip the breaker because I have other stuff plugged into another outlet on the same breaker. I have a 220v 50 amp plug on the side of the wall I never have used for anything. I want to be able to run the 220v 50 amp extension cord to run my mig welder or plasma cutter. I would also like to run some 110 outlets without running another extension cord if possible. Is this possible?
220v 50amp back to 110v? Possible?
- Thread starter skipnay
- Start date
wyliesdiesels
Well-known member
No not possible.
U cant put a 15a or 20a outlet on a 50a breakered circuit.
Put a subpanel in using the 50a feed then branch off from there.
U cant put a 15a or 20a outlet on a 50a breakered circuit.
Put a subpanel in using the 50a feed then branch off from there.
American Locomotive
Well-known member
It is possible. Is it a good idea? That's for you to decide, IMO.
I have a 230v extension cord I use for my plasma cutter, and it has two boxes on the end of it - one with a NEMA 6-50 for the plasma cutter, and then another box with a 120v outlet. Is it to code? No. Is it safe? I mean the wiring in the cord itself won't burn, since it's all 8 gauge, but a 115v device that shorts might melt the outlet since it'll be able to push far more than 20 amps without tripping the breaker.
Main reason I made the cord is because 90% of the time if I have the plasma cutter out somewhere where I need it on a cord, I also need other equipment like my grinders and or my 115v MIG. The other "nice" thing is that most of the 115v outlets on my house are on 15 amp circuits which the MIG happily trips. The welder has its own internal 20 amp circuit breaker.
You could make it inherently safe by putting a 20 amp panel-mount circuit breaker inside the box with the 115v outlet. That eliminates the risk of overloading the 115v outlet.
I'm in no way advocating of making the "dual" 115/230v cord, but I have one, and use it regularly without issue as I know enough to not try and overload the outlet. I'm sure a lot of us here have a "double-male" 230v cord for our emergency generators, and those certainly aren't "safe" or "to code" either.
I have a 230v extension cord I use for my plasma cutter, and it has two boxes on the end of it - one with a NEMA 6-50 for the plasma cutter, and then another box with a 120v outlet. Is it to code? No. Is it safe? I mean the wiring in the cord itself won't burn, since it's all 8 gauge, but a 115v device that shorts might melt the outlet since it'll be able to push far more than 20 amps without tripping the breaker.
Main reason I made the cord is because 90% of the time if I have the plasma cutter out somewhere where I need it on a cord, I also need other equipment like my grinders and or my 115v MIG. The other "nice" thing is that most of the 115v outlets on my house are on 15 amp circuits which the MIG happily trips. The welder has its own internal 20 amp circuit breaker.
You could make it inherently safe by putting a 20 amp panel-mount circuit breaker inside the box with the 115v outlet. That eliminates the risk of overloading the 115v outlet.
I'm in no way advocating of making the "dual" 115/230v cord, but I have one, and use it regularly without issue as I know enough to not try and overload the outlet. I'm sure a lot of us here have a "double-male" 230v cord for our emergency generators, and those certainly aren't "safe" or "to code" either.
Ok so it is possible if I do it like I mention below.
So if I just got a 100 amp breaker panel and wired it like that. That should be fine? I have 100' of 6 gauge extension cord that I actually just put a 50 amp plug onto it. I can plug and unplug as I use it. I need 50 amp for my mig welder and plasma. Won't be using both at same time. Then I would like to plug the chop saw or band saw in also!!!
wyliesdiesels
Well-known member
No we dont know if its possible because we dont know if he has a neutral in that 50a feed which i forgot to mention.
wyliesdiesels
Well-known member
Is there a neutral in the box at the 50a outlet?
wyliesdiesels
Well-known member
For a subpanel u need 4.
kevs79
Well-known member
My understanding is that if it is in metal conduit you can use the conduit as the ground...right?
I have a 100' 220v extension line for my cracker box welder. In order to supply 110v to my RV using this extension cord I constructed a male plug that matched my 220v extension outlet with a short extension to a 110v using outdoor elec. boxes. I only tapped into one side of the 220v giving me 110v when needed by using the short adapter.
Hope that helps.
Hope that helps.
4 wires in the cord but only use 3
satcom221
Member
The safest and trouble free thing to use is a power distribution center. You just need to get the correct plug or adapter.
http://www.northerntool.com/shop/tools/product_200434713_200434713
http://www.northerntool.com/shop/tools/product_200434713_200434713
For that price I will run 110 extension cord. Holy $400
How many wires are in that 220v extension cord?
What is the neutral on your 110v recept connected to in the cord?
American Locomotive
Well-known member
What does your 220 outlet you want to use look like? Is it a NEMA 6-50, 10-50 or 14-50?
what does your 220 outlet you want to use look like? Is it a nema 6-50, 10-50 or 14-50?
6-50
American Locomotive
Well-known member
Okay, that creates an issue since a 6-50 doesn't have a neutral. So you can't do a 230/115 dual cord, as the 115v current would be trying to return through the ground terminal.
My outlet is a 10-50, which has a neutral, so my cord functions fine, as the 10-50 has a neutral.
You will either have to re-wire and change that outlet to a 10-50, or better yet a 14-50 to do what you want to do.
My outlet is a 10-50, which has a neutral, so my cord functions fine, as the 10-50 has a neutral.
You will either have to re-wire and change that outlet to a 10-50, or better yet a 14-50 to do what you want to do.
wyliesdiesels
Well-known member
However, a 10-** doesnt have a ground so thats not the correct plug and receptacle either. The proper plug/outlet is a 14-**....
If the plug/outlet circuit terminates at the main service panel this is moot even though it doesnt meet code since neutral and ground are bonded at the main. If instead, it terminates in a 4-wire sub, it can create an issue.