30 amp adapter cord

[andyvh1959]

The factory installed 3-prong plug for my Millermatic35 MIG welder is the 1970's vintage style. Here is a picture of the cord for my welder. It is the original cord for the welder installed by Miller. Has worked with no issues since the 70's, here are the specs from the owners manual:

So in my new garage I'm thinking to upgrade the outlet for the welder to a style to use an adapter cord/plug and install the much later code 30 amp outlet instead of using the old style 30 amp outlet. Any reason not to use the style of adapter cord shown in the amazon link for the outlet? Or should I use a different style better suited to 30amp applications.

https://www.amazon.com/Vpment-L14-30...82192424&psc=1

 

[Bert_]

What adapter are you talking about? Your picture shows a 6-50. The 6-50 is the correct outlet for a welder. There's nothing to adapt.

 

[pattenp]

Yep, looks like 6-50 plug. Just use a 6-50 outlet.

 

[andyvh1959]

Opps! Forgot this part:
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08CXF3N2S/?tag=atomicindus08-20

I'm thinking the current spec 30 amp outlet is a better choice to install in my shop versus wiring in the old spec outlet.

 

[Bert_]

The plug on your welder is THE plug to use. All single phase welders use the one you have. It's not an old standard, it's the current standard.

Your adapter is to a L14-30. No welder uses that plug. For a shop I would say L14-30 is non standard, not a good choice.

 

[wyliesdiesels]

You are really confusing yourself to no end

The plug on your welder cord is 6-50P not the vintage 10-50P

A 10-50P does NOT have a ground pin on it. But that is not what you have

You do not need a 14-30 or or 14–50 outlet either. A welder does not need a meutral.

Just put in a 6-50R and be done with it

 

[The Tool Tyrant]

No reason to re-invent the wheel.

 

[nadogail]

Because my welder is fed from the main panel, where the Neutral and Ground are interconnected, I used a 50 Amp Three Blade Range Connector.

Bring on your Flame Guns, it's my welder and my panel.

 

[wyliesdiesels]

Because my welder is fed from the main panel, where the Neutral and Ground are interconnected, I used a 50 Amp Three Blade Range Connector.

Bring on your Flame Guns, it's my welder and my panel.

Congratulations on adding more confusion to an already confusing thread with confused OP.

What you used is not what the OP is asking about or even has

 

[andyvh1959]

Ok, I'll stick with you guys. No adapter cord. I was just asking if an adapter cord to a more common current outlet would better serve other shop needs, that's all.

 

[Bert_]

Ok, I'll stick with you guys. No adapter cord. I was just asking if an adapter cord to a more common current outlet would better serve other shop needs, that's all.

We're trying to tell you that the 6-50 that you already have is THE most common outlet.

 

[Bert_]

Because my welder is fed from the main panel, where the Neutral and Ground are interconnected, I used a 50 Amp Three Blade Range Connector.

Bring on your Flame Guns, it's my welder and my panel.

I still install lots of 10-50's on farms. It's what all their stuff has been wired for in the last 60 years. Good luck getting them to change all of it so it matches one new receptacle.

 

[wyliesdiesels]

Ok, I'll stick with you guys. No adapter cord. I was just asking if an adapter cord to a more common current outlet would better serve other shop needs, that's all.

you dont need an adapter. the 6-50P is the common plug on welders

a 14-30P is ONLY found on dryers and a 14-50P is ONLY found on ranges and large RVs.

 

[The Cobbler]

I used a 14-30 for my lathe as it needs 120/240 .the lathe came with a 14-30 plug on it . the on/off switching is 120 to a magnetic switch and there's a receptacle for plugging in a light . I don't recall the HP of the motor but either 1-1/2 or 2
It was inspected that way at final inspection and the inspector had no issues with it.
since building the shop I acquired a welder & plasma cutter . I also acquired a welding extension cord that was missing the male plug , so I added a 14-30 plug to it . since I would never be using them at the same time, I figure it's a reasonable solution .

edit. there is a location to add a 15 amp receptacle . it has a filler over it. it doesn't currently have a receptacle for a lamp

 

[American Locomotive]

Ok, I'll stick with you guys. No adapter cord. I was just asking if an adapter cord to a more common current outlet would better serve other shop needs, that's all.

There are several 240v outlet types, here are the most common:

- The NEMA "6" Series. This includes the 6-15, 6-20, 6-30 and 6-50. Your welder has the NEMA 6-50. NEMA "6" series outlets all feature two hots and a ground. The NEMA "6" series outlets ARE the current standard outlet for 240v shop equipment. The vast majority of 240v equipment you will use in a shop will have one of these plugs attached to it.

- NEMA "10" Series. This includes the 10-30 and 10-50, which used to be used for Dryers and Electric Ranges. NEMA "10" series outlets feature two hots and a neutral, and no ground. These outlets have been phased out, and are no longer code.

- NEMA "14" Series. This includes the 14-30, 14-50 and 14-60. These are the modern replacements for the NEMA "10" series" outlets. They feature two hots, a neutral and a ground. Typically only used for dryers, electric ranges, and some RVs.

Basically the plug on your welder isn't old. It IS the current modern standard. Any piece of equipment that only needs 240v @ 50A should have the plug that your welder has.

 

[dcg9381]

I use 14-50P on all of my stuff. It standardizes things and I prefer to have the outlet and connector be over-rated for the current needs (note, I didn't say that I use a 50A breaker on all outlets and I do label them). Do what makes sense to you and is rated for the current. It's very nice having a 240V outlet "standard" around your place.

I get the "code" issues and using an over-rated plug/outlet, but to me, this is how it makes sense. I literally have 6 places I can plug in that welder.

 

[wyliesdiesels]

I use 14-50P on all of my stuff. It standardizes things and I prefer to have the outlet and connector be over-rated for the current needs (note, I didn't say that I use a 50A breaker on all outlets and I do label them). Do what makes sense to you and is rated for the current. It's very nice having a 240V outlet "standard" around your place.

I get the "code" issues and using an over-rated plug/outlet, but to me, this is how it makes sense. I literally have 6 places I can plug in that welder.

How does a 14-50p standardize things?

The only equipment that uses that is a range.

Welders use 6-50p... the neutral prong on a 14-50p is useless to a welder

 

[dcg9381]

How does a 14-50p standardize things?

It's a good standard "for me" as we have a lot of money ******* in cordage and adapters to support RVs. And many of these drops are positioned to be used for RVs... Not saying it's right for everyone.

 

[andyvh1959]

6-50p now wired into my new garage for the welder.

 

[u3b3rg33k]

All y'all seem to be forgetting that 14-50R is the most likely big outlet to be installed in a garage in new construction for EVs.

also makes for a quick 14-50P to CS63 for use with breakout boxes. can't do that without the neutral.

 

[AP514]

I am confused..it looks like the Op wants to try to run that Welder on a 30 Amp setup ?
He states the welder is 30 Amp-but the cord/plug is for 50 Amp ?
Is that a safety thing due to the higher inrush for welders ? or is that welder actually supposed to draw 50 amps ?

 

[dcg9381]

The cord in the photo isn't 50A, might be 30A. Some of us over-plug our tools or use bigger than absolutely necessary plugs for various reason. Largely some of us are saying to choose a "common" 240V capable plug that rated at or above welder amp draw...

 

[sparky 1971]

The cord in the photo is a 50 amp. 6-50P. It plugs into a 6-50R. It's the standard 240 volt welder receptacle.

 

[AntonLargiader]

Count me in the "standardize on 14-50" camp because it works for me. My life does not revolve around welders. I'm more likely to plug an EVSE in inside a garage, or maybe an RV now and then. My two electric ranges are already on 14-50 and in my work I am 50x more likely to use an oven than I am a welder.

I do have a welder, and it is on a 6-50, but if I were to move it around I would change the plug to a 14-50 (or buy/make an adapter) so I could plug it into the existing 14-50Rs.

FWIW plenty of EVSEs draw nowhere near 50A but are on a 14-50 for convenience. Look at the Clipper Creek catalog and you can see that, in general, any EVSE you want is available with any plug meeting or exceeding the need. For instance, their 12-16A 240V models are available hardwired, or with 14-30, 6-50 or 14-50. Not 6-20, interestingly.

 

[yatg]

All you ever wanted to know about NEMA plugs.

https://www.raritan.com/assets/ram/resources/data_sheets/raritan-ds-49a_Plug_Chart_NEMA_straight.pdf

https://www.raritan.com/assets/ram/resources/data_sheets/raritan-ds-49b_Plug_Chart_NEMA_locking.pdf

page 3 of this one describes the coding scheme
http://extranet.garland-group.com/document_catalog/Document Catalog Files/nema Plug Guide.pdf

 

[gtae07]

Count me in the "standardize on 14-50" camp because it works for me. My life does not revolve around welders. I'm more likely to plug an EVSE in inside a garage, or maybe an RV now and then. My two electric ranges are already on 14-50 and in my work I am 50x more likely to use an oven than I am a welder.

I do have a welder, and it is on a 6-50, but if I were to move it around I would change the plug to a 14-50 (or buy/make an adapter) so I could plug it into the existing 14-50Rs.

FWIW plenty of EVSEs draw nowhere near 50A but are on a 14-50 for convenience. Look at the Clipper Creek catalog and you can see that, in general, any EVSE you want is available with any plug meeting or exceeding the need. For instance, their 12-16A 240V models are available hardwired, or with 14-30, 6-50 or 14-50. Not 6-20, interestingly.

I put a 14-50 in the shop and in the garage for maximum flexibility. EV charger, range, welder (with adapter). I actually did put an old range out in the shop for a while to bake paint onto parts and heat up water for certain tasks.

 

[dcg9381]

FWIW plenty of EVSEs draw nowhere near 50A but are on a 14-50 for convenience. Look at the Clipper Creek catalog and you can see that, in general, any EVSE you want is available with any plug meeting or exceeding the need. For instance, their 12-16A 240V models are available hardwired, or with 14-30, 6-50 or 14-50. Not 6-20, interestingly.

This is true and most can be "dialed down" for available power, but apparently Tesla (which is one of the more common cases) has 240V chargers that are capable of drawing 48A continuous.

 

[GTO]

All you ever wanted to know about NEMA plugs.

https://www.raritan.com/assets/ram/resources/data_sheets/raritan-ds-49a_Plug_Chart_NEMA_straight.pdf

https://www.raritan.com/assets/ram/resources/data_sheets/raritan-ds-49b_Plug_Chart_NEMA_locking.pdf

page 3 of this one describes the coding scheme
http://extranet.garland-group.com/document_catalog/Document Catalog Files/nema Plug Guide.pdf

Thanks for posting, very helpful.