30A to 50A receptacle conversion

[racerboy]

When my brother-in-law wired my garage, he put a 50A 250v NEMA plug in-between the garage doors, with the idea that I would be doing all my welding outside. Now I want to set up a corner of my garage with a fixture table and practice my welding on a regular basis. Unfortunately, the plug in the corner I want to dedicate to welding is a 30A twist-lock receptacle. Can this be changed to match the plug on my Miller 220 Mig (like receptacle near garage door)? My welder can also run on 110, but I’d rather have both options available.

I’ve attached photos of the receptacle by garage door and one in the interior corner where I want to set up my little welding corner.

 

[mm08822]

Make an adapter cord out of 10-3 SO or SJ cord. Unless there is a need for longer cord, buying 2 feet is plenty. This way nothing "permanaent" has to change.

FYI - Brosky-In-Law's install of the 6-50R is hack.

 

[The Cobbler]

FYI - Brosky-In-Law's install of the 6-50R is hack.

looks to me like the receptacle was installed pre drywall and it never got pulled out when drywall happened. so it may not be BIL's doings.
by time you buy the cord , plug & receptacle , I would just change out the receptacle... assuming it's not being used for anything

 

[mm08822]

looks to me like the receptacle was installed pre drywall and it never got pulled out when drywall happened. so it may not be BIL's doings.
by time you buy the cord , plug & receptacle , I would just change out the receptacle... assuming it's not being used for anything

Agreed, but should have known garage is getting 5/8 fire-rated or 2x 1/2" drywall.

Should have been in a 2 gang box anyway.

 

[micromind]

If, and only if, the 30 amp receptacle is wired for 50 amps and you change the breaker to a 50.

If not, certainly you can change the receptacle to a 50 but it wouldn't be code compliant.

 

[theoldwizard1]

If, and only if, the 30 amp receptacle is wired for 50 amps and you change the breaker to a 50.

Not true ! If the circuit has a 30A breaker and the wire is properly sized for this NEC doesn't care what the actual receptacle is, as long as it is the correct voltage. If there is no neutral in the box, then the receptacle can not have a neutral.

 

[Norcal]

Make an adapter cord out of 10-3 SO or SJ cord. Unless there is a need for longer cord, buying 2 feet is plenty. This way nothing "permanaent" has to change.

FYI - Brosky-In-Law's install of the 6-50R is hack.

The way the box was set is hack, but a 30A receptacle is not permitted on a 50A circuit, change the breaker & install the appropriate 30A locking receptacle, might have to pigtail some 10AWG stranded if the device will not accept the existing conductors.

 

[Norcal]

The way the box was set is hack, but a 30A receptacle is not permitted on a 50A circuit, change the breaker & install the appropriate 30A locking receptacle, might have to pigtail some 10AWG stranded if the device will not accept the existing conductors.

 

[mm08822]

The way the box was set is hack, but a 30A receptacle is not permitted on a 50A circuit, change the breaker & install the appropriate 30A locking receptacle, might have to pigtail some 10AWG stranded if the device will not accept the existing conductors.

No one said the 30a recept is on the same circuit as the 50a. I assume it is not.

If the 50a recept was a "welder recept" then it could be on a 50a cb fed with 10's.

Even the 30a ckt fed with 10s to a 30a recept could still possibly run the same welder.

 

[johnre]

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0915LGWPD/?tag=atomicindus08-20

 

[racerboy]

Thanks for all the feedback! Yes, my BIL definitely did a hack job. He did the electrical before I had the walls insulated/sheetrocked, but he knew I was going to do that at some point, and still did not bring the sockets forward. He couldn't even be bothered with running the wires in a straight line through the walls between the receptacles. They sort of zig-zag up and down by about 6 inches. Plus he disconnected the GFI that was in the bathroom and never reconnected it when he put the bigger panel in. I didn't realize this until after the insulation/sheetrock went up. So now I have no (working) plug in the bathroom. He definitely lacks the OCD gene that I seem to be cursed with (lol).

I believe the 50A socket has it's own circuit and it is on the far end of the garage from the corner where I want to set up my little welding table. There are three of the 30A twist-lock sockets on the same wall. One has my little NewAir electric heater on it which is wholly inadequate - I finally got a propane stub-out for the shop, but still haven't selected a real heater).

I like the plug idea @johnre sent me. That might be the quickest solution for now.

 

[LS6 Tommy]

If, and only if, the 30 amp receptacle is wired for 50 amps and you change the breaker to a 50.

If not, certainly you can change the receptacle to a 50 but it wouldn't be code compliant.

This. the 50A recept should have 6AWG. The 30 A recept is most likely 8AWG.

 

[wyliesdiesels]

This. the 50A recept should have 6AWG. The 30A recept is most likely 8AWG.

why would a 30a receptacle be fed with #8? #10 is rated for 30a. also #8 THWN is rated for 50a

 

[u2slow]

I suggest reviewing your welder's user manual for circuit sizing recommendations. Code also has a section for sizing welding circuits - based on the rated primary current and % duty cycle. Imho, the Code rules about matching the breaker, wire, and receptacles are intended for generic installations where the equipment being plugged in is not known.

Fwiw, I use my millermatic 211 on 20A and 30A circuits in my shop with a couple adapter cords I made to get to 6-50p.