Anyone use a rotary switch for multiple welders?

[Nate0918]

One breaker, multiple welders. I'd like to have the convenience of having my mig, tig, and plasma cutter plugged in all the time without having to take up so many breakers in the panel since I won't be using more than one at the same time. I've been looking at something like this. I'm wiring my shop right now and the walls are open. Thoughts? Any better ideas to accomplish the goal?

 

[Steve from Socal]

In a private setting I would just daisy chain three plugs to the welder circuit. Even with two machines on at the same time, the idle current is not very high unless you have old transformer machines. Even then, if you only power up one machine at a time it would be fine. Adding the complexity of a switch really does nothing except block the plugs not in use.

Steve







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[Monza Harry]

I see that the description states 63A @ 660V (3phase) that seems optimistic from my experience but anything is possible.
I bought some barrier strips rated for 60A in the "Amazon" ad, but the piece is marked 20 A, and is a 3 place strip so the marketing team of the CH ina (China) company reasoned 3 x 20 = 60 so that's what they placed in the ad. It will be OK for my 1st application I had planned on, the 2nd application ~ maybe maybe not [4HP @ 220V, single phase feeding a VFD for 3PH], IDK probably not. So as @Steve in SoCal points out, this will end up as needless complexity that will not likely pass code. Inspected or not, this could cause you problems down the road! Harry

 

[Nate0918]

Well, daisy chaining the outlets will definitely not pass inspection. Using a switch like this would free up 4 breaker slots and the associated wiring ran from the panel and would be a breeze to wire. I see less complexity as far as wiring is concerned. I linked to that switch because the continuity shown between all the terminals would accomplish what I was after, I would use something that was UL listed and would pass. My question is mainly of concept. You say problems, are you referrring to the quality of the parts used or the idea of it? The alternative would be three double pole breakers, home runs to the three welder plugs, and four extra slots in the panel taken up, which is a lot more wire and two more breakers. I'm open to suggestions that would pass code and meet the goals.

 

[Steve from Socal]

Perhaps a small sub panel to the welders? You don't lose the slots in the main and, it could give you flexibility down the road.

Steve

 

[Monza Harry]

As for the problems I referred to is every connection will have a voltage drop, that will cause heat neither is good I know the resistance is pretty small but, they do add up. Those switches are more than OK for 1-2 HP, however a 225 tombstone or just about any 250ish Amp transformer machine wlll burn out the contacts in pretty short order if you use those in the upper power ranges. I haven't ran across any in that required power range. If you have all 200A inverter machines you might be OK. If I might offer a suggestion build a welder power bar on your welder cart (all 3 Welders one cart). Not code but used only while you are present and unplug the bar when you leave the welding area. Code doesn't matter while unplugged! Your switch will be hard to find a cheap enclosure that will fit the switch and a whole mess of # 6 wire into, [8" x 8" x 5-6" I suspect will be required, and steel I wouldn't be comfortable with the cheaper plastic ones $32 to $135 US]. And again @Steve in SoCal makes another great suggestion with a small pony panel. Legal (insurance after the fact is what is of greater importance in my eyes, grounds for denial of benefits even if not directly involved in the incidents that disrupt our lives if found during their investigation) and neat albeita little more pricey! Harry

 

[mike93lx]

I'd also daisy chain them, maybe adding the 2nd and 3rd after inspection, but if you want it 100% compliant, I'd pick a subpanel before a switch

#6 thwn copper gets you a 60a breaker and then you can run smaller out to the receptacles based on duty cycle. Unless they are huge machines, #10 should be sufficient

 

[haveissues]

Same boat. I'm making a box with a cord that has 3 outlets and mounting it to my welding cart. This way they can stay plugged in and I can put an extension cord in between if I need to push it to the other side of the shop to do something.

 

[Walkers]

I did daisy chain outlets. It works fine for your situation.

 

[blazemaster83]

I made a 220v power strip so I could keep all my 220v machines. plugged in all the time, but only use one at a time. I found six 50 amp outlets new on ebay as a group lot, a 10 foot piece of 6/3 shore cord from the scrap pile at work, and a heavy plastic service box from an old machine. It works great.

 

[Nate0918]

A sub panel close to my welding table sounds like a viable option also but I never thought of a 240v power strip. That is a great idea! Portable and doesn't have to meet building code because it's not part of the building! You guys are geniuses. I can finish the wiring as is and make the power strip later. I appreciate all the ideas. I could even put in a few 120v outlets.

 

[driftpin]

I have a knife switch with two 'on' positions, I'd have to look at it to see if it has a central 'off' lock-out position. I bought it at a yard sale BNIB. No just 'BN' 'cause cardboard is a Roach Motel.

 

[speed bump]

Well, daisy chaining the outlets will definitely not pass inspection. Using a switch like this would free up 4 breaker slots and the associated wiring ran from the panel and would be a breeze to wire. I see less complexity as far as wiring is concerned. I linked to that switch because the continuity shown between all the terminals would accomplish what I was after, I would use something that was UL listed and would pass. My question is mainly of concept. You say problems, are you referrring to the quality of the parts used or the idea of it? The alternative would be three double pole breakers, home runs to the three welder plugs, and four extra slots in the panel taken up, which is a lot more wire and two more breakers. I'm open to suggestions that would pass code and meet the goals.

Why wouldn't daisy chaining outlets meet code? The rest of your garage has Daisy chained outlets.....

 

[seber]

NEC does not limit the number of outlets per breaker for residential use. If your setup is commercial, then one per circuit is the rule above 30 amps.

 

[mike93lx]

NEC does not limit the number of outlets per breaker for residential use. If your setup is commercial, then one per circuit is the rule above 30 amps.

My understanding is that while there isn't a prohibition in the NEC, there is one in the IRC

 

[PoorUB]

If you are concerned about inspections just run the wire to one oulet and put a blank cover over it.
The buy a suitable electrical box, mount all three outlets into the box. The hard wire to the box wired at the wall. You can plug in all three and have them all on at the same time and as a one man shop you will have no issues as you will run only one at a time. I wouldn't bother with a switch as you will never over load the circuit.

 

[cosmokenney]

I would absolutely use a switch like that. Only thing is I won't buy electrical components from Amazon anymore. Everything I've bought from the big A in the last 2 years has been utter garbage.
Though I like the sub panel idea better.