Can I convert(temp) a 230V outlet to 110V

[keoki]

I just had installed a dedicated 230V outlet with a NEMA 6-50R outlet on 30amp breaker. This will be primarily used for my Millermatic 211.
I sometimes am in need of more 110V power ( for drills, grinders....)and NOT in need of the 220V. Is there a way I can convert the 220 to 110 ?
Are there power converters for shop use?

Thank you in advance.

 

[sberry]

No, it is a special circuit for the welder, run a new 120V for other tools, if you don't have it you need it.

 

[keoki]

OK thanks Sberry. I guess I got a dedicated welder/compressor outlet.
Just thought maybe I could use the outlet location if needed.

 

[ishiboo]

I just had installed a dedicated 230V outlet with a NEMA 6-50R outlet on 30amp breaker. This will be primarily used for my Millermatic 211.
I sometimes am in need of more 110V power ( for drills, grinders....)and NOT in need of the 220V. Is there a way I can convert the 220 to 110 ?
Are there power converters for shop use?

Thank you in advance.

Sure you can. You can make a small adapter up which has two 120 plugs, one for each 120V leg present on the outlet. 240V is just two 120 legs. (phases offset 180 degrees though.)

The safest way to do this would be to have an inline fuse or circuit breaker for each leg, so whatever you plug in is fused at 15 or 20 amps and not 30. Then again, people plug 10 and 15A extension cords into 20A outlets all the time.

 

[ishiboo]

Should have said 240 in the US is two separate legs, in other countries there can be 230V on a single leg /w neutral. So if you are not in the US, the above advice may not be valid

 

[GeorgiaHybrid]

I know that that they don't like to admit it but Hawaii is still part of the USA......

 

[AussieDan]

If it's a 6-50R then there is no neutral, so even in the US you can't split it into 2 120v circuits.

 

[MrMark]

Sure you can. You can make a small adapter up which has two 120 plugs, one for each 120V leg present on the outlet. 240V is just two 120 legs. (phases offset 180 degrees though.)

The safest way to do this would be to have an inline fuse or circuit breaker for each leg, so whatever you plug in is fused at 15 or 20 amps and not 30. Then again, people plug 10 and 15A extension cords into 20A outlets all the time.

Where's he going to get the neutral?

 

[mrb]

Sure you can. You can make a small adapter up which has two 120 plugs, one for each 120V leg present on the outlet. 240V is just two 120 legs. (phases offset 180 degrees though.)

The safest way to do this would be to have an inline fuse or circuit breaker for each leg, so whatever you plug in is fused at 15 or 20 amps and not 30. Then again, people plug 10 and 15A extension cords into 20A outlets all the time.

Please dont give electrical advice unless the advice you give is safe and correct for the question posed. Yes your theory is correct in that 240v consists of two opposing 120v legs, however the OP has a nema 6-50 receptacle which is a 2P3W 250v receptacle, two hots and a EGC -no neutral. Therefore two 120v circuits cannot be derived from it.

 

[mrb]

to answer the OP's question of 'are there power converters' technically speaking yes, you could buy a little 5kva transformer with the appropriate input and output connections its not practical given the cost would be many times the cost to install the circuit(s) you need

 

[ishiboo]

Please dont give electrical advice unless the advice you give is safe and correct for the question posed. Yes your theory is correct in that 240v consists of two opposing 120v legs, however the OP has a nema 6-50 receptacle which is a 2P3W 250v receptacle, two hots and a EGC -no neutral. Therefore two 120v circuits cannot be derived from it.

Of course you're correct - without a neutral this is not doable... at least not safely! I responded to the topic without thinking about the receptacle in use - and I typically install a L14-30 on my welders/plasma cuter/etc, due mostly to the fact that it's a locking plug, and I can then run everything directly off my generator as well.

If this is in conduit you could pull a neutral, or if there was a neutral already present, and have a separate plug for 120 service. If not, it'd likely be much easier to run a new 12 or 14 gauge wire than to mess with a step-down transformer.