sberry
Banned
If they were used with 2 or more machines the breaker would trip.
Can anybody answer the question about setting up multiple 240 30 amp receptacles on the same one 30AMP circuit? Is this how folks wire up multiple receptacles? Is this allowed by code? Just seems like a waste if you really shouldn’t or can’t use 2 machines at the same time. Seems like it would simply eliminate the hassle of having to plug in to a 240 extension cord.
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Can anybody answer the question about setting up multiple 240 30 amp receptacles on the same one 30AMP circuit? Is this how folks wire up multiple receptacles? Is this allowed by code? Just seems like a waste if you really shouldn’t or can’t use 2 machines at the same time. Seems like it would simply eliminate the hassle of having to plug in to a 240 extension cord.
It's done in shops, it's restricted in some residential codes. I don't think the NEC has it but it's likely there just for some of the reasons in this thread. People think every "220" circuit is the same, they change ends, make adapters, all kinds of shat hooked to outlets with the wrong breaker for the equipment.
There is some misconception that the breaker only protects the wire in the wall against thermal,, actually rarely does on these dedicated equipment circuits. It does on multiple outlet circuits.
Here is a recent thread with some answers. Took about 15 seconds of searching on Google to come up with it
https://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=436126
I think you may have some trouble with the connections. You need a receptacle that can accept multiple 10a wires or you need connectors properly rate for 3 connections, plus a large enough box.
I think what really adds to things is that manufacturers also don’t include plug ends on what is clearly a “mobile” application/machine, like a welder and to some extent something like a 4 post lift - which many sell with wheels, so it can be moved around. I don’t get why they can’t include the appropriate plug end for these machines, especially since the plug end is already dictated by the amperage need of the machine itself. Why leave the plug end decision to the consumer.
Because horsepower-rated plug ins are $$$. Hardwiring is cheap. Saying "hire an electrician" in the user manual is cheap for their legal department.
One that irks me is small 240v welders with 6-50P cords. You won't see a 2-3hp cabinet saw or compressor with that cord (factory), yet all 3 have similar power requirements, and are portable.
It irks you that a welder uses an industry standard plug for Welders?
If I had my way every room in my house would have 220v. Everything from mini under sink instant on water heaters to computers and shop equipment are all safer and more efficient being run at 220v.
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If I had my way every room in my house would have 220v. Everything from mini under sink instant on water heaters to computers and shop equipment are all safer and more efficient being run at 220v.
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Everything I specified is from what each machine actually states either on a sticker on the machine or on a plate attached to the motor. I have to wonder though if these are just minimum amperage ratings or if they take any startup amperage spikes into account. Actually I’ll do a quick test and hook up my amperage meter to each one to see what they are drawing at startup and while in use.
If I had my way every room in my house would have 220v. Everything from mini under sink instant on water heaters to computers and shop equipment are all safer and more efficient being run at 220v.
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residential code is clear that anything over 20A must be dedicated. Adherence to code is up to you.
I needed four 6-50 receptacles far away from panel. Instead of four #6 runs ($$$$) I did one ($) and put in a sub panel with 4 50A breakers. Each is dedicated and not a cluster f@#k inside the receptacles box, to code. A panel and breakers is cheaper than one short run (20') of wire.
I'll admit that I added a 6-50 receptacle on my lift that is not dedicated, and can use a 6-50 40' extension cord to reach outside.
How is 240v (220v doesnt exist in the US anymore) safer and more efficient?
Its still 120v to ground and there is no efficiency gained as the wattage is the same regardless that the current is halved. Remember electricity is billed in kilowatt hours not amperage.

residential code is clear that anything over 20A must be dedicated. Adherence to code is up to you.
I needed four 6-50 receptacles far away from panel. Instead of four #6 runs ($$$$) I did one ($) and put in a sub panel with 4 50A breakers. Each is dedicated and not a cluster f@#k inside the receptacles box, to code. A panel and breakers is cheaper than one short run (20') of wire.
I'll admit that I added a 6-50 receptacle on my lift that is not dedicated, and can use a 6-50 40' extension cord to reach outside.
Yup. It's allowing use of too large a circuit in most cases - with the small machines.
I think what really adds to things is that manufacturers also don’t include plug ends on what is clearly a “mobile” application/machine, like a welder and to some extent something like a 4 post lift - which many sell with wheels, so it can be moved around. I don’t get why they can’t include the appropriate plug end for these machines, especially since the plug end is already dictated by the amperage need of the machine itself. Why leave the plug end decision to the consumer. This would eliminate folks using the wrong plug end or setting it up to use a 50amp plug because that’s the only 240 set up currently in their shop.
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They are designed to run on this circuit. Just like other equipment, wall wart phone charger, 200MA on a 20A circuit. Like all the equipment listed to plug in to common circuits.
No, the small welding machines aren't. Take a Millermatic 180 mig for example. Manual clearly indicates a 25-30A max OCP. That doesn't agree with its 50A cord plug, or the standard 50A 'welding circuit' commonly installed for a welder.
Why is it not using the 6-30P? Why not put 5-50P cords on a 3HP compressor or 2HP table saw?
I don't like dumb rules. Conflicting rules are proof of the dumb.
How is 240v (220v doesnt exist in the US anymore) safer and more efficient?
Its still 120v to ground and there is no efficiency gained as the wattage is the same regardless that the current is halved. Remember electricity is billed in kilowatt hours not amperage.
2500 watt @ 240 is close to 10 amp and 2500 watts @ 120 is about 20 amps. Most 120 volt circuits I have seen are max 15 amps and running that for extended period of time is probably not safe.
Items like mini instant on portable water heaters are normally 220-240 volts.
High end computers run 1500 watts. Yogurt machine I have is 240 volts.
Not sure other stuff I have as many is 110-240 input voltage. But seems to me that lower amps/current result in lower temps in the wires. Which seems to me to result in lower risk of fire.
My old house had aluminum wires and not copper this resulted in me only able to use my computer which was 1500 watts in the winter or at night because the breaker box was heating up quite a bit. At first I had the breakers replaced , then the breaker box , then the whole house got rewired in copper wouldn't put 240 in my office not sure the exact reason. But running that PC on 240 in the garage and checking the temp of the breaker box vs 120 temps were about 50% less on 240 than 120.
At work I have some computers running on 214 volt lines not sure how or why but marked multiple times with 214.
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no way does a high end computer run at 1500w.
I have an HP tower server gen 8 with dual xeon 6 core CPUs, 7 10K rpm drives and dual 750watt power supplies (DC wattage) and Eaton enterprise grade 5PX UPS with load monitoring and my server pulls 140w. This is corroborated with iLO power monitoring internal in the server that says the same thing. My dell tower pulls less than 100w.
your numbers are way off. way way off.
BTW 240v is NOT more efficient than 120v. You know why? because its the same wattage.
you proved this yourself with your 2500w example. When its the same wattage at 120v and 240v there is no efficiency gained.
BTW if youre breaker box is heating up from 1500w youve got issues with a bad breaker box NOT the 1500w load.
My 125a service sees way more than 1500w running through it (2 ACs, 2 electric stoves, 1 dryer, 1 water heater; all at the same time as my meter feeds a studio in the back) and my breaker panel does not heat up.
your example falls flat on its theory...
How is 240v (220v doesnt exist in the US anymore) safer and more efficient?
Its still 120v to ground and there is no efficiency gained as the wattage is the same regardless that the current is halved. Remember electricity is billed in kilowatt hours not amperage.
BTW 240v is NOT more efficient than 120v. You know why? because its the same wattage.
That efficiency does nothing for you though. Tthe net result is the same because the wattage draw is the same. Less conductor heating does not lower the electric bill. So it is not more efficient on the electric bill.


That efficiency does nothing for you though. Tthe net result is the same because the wattage draw is the same. Less conductor heating does not lower the electric bill. So it is not more efficient on the electric bill.
sounds like someone's 208V Y is tapped a bit hot.2500 watt @ 240 is close to 10 amp and 2500 watts @ 120 is about 20 amps. Most 120 volt circuits I have seen are max 15 amps and running that for extended period of time is probably not safe.
Items like mini instant on portable water heaters are normally 220-240 volts.
High end computers run 1500 watts.
Yogurt machine I have is 240 volts.
Not sure other stuff I have as many is 110-240 input voltage. But seems to me that lower amps/current result in lower temps in the wires. Which seems to me to result in lower risk of fire.
My old house had aluminum wires and not copper this resulted in me only able to use my computer which was 1500 watts in the winter or at night because the breaker box was heating up quite a bit. At first I had the breakers replaced , then the breaker box , then the whole house got rewired in copper wouldn't put 240 in my office not sure the exact reason. But running that PC on 240 in the garage and checking the temp of the breaker box vs 120 temps were about 50% less on 240 than 120.
At work I have some computers running on 214 volt lines not sure how or why but marked multiple times with 214.
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as mentioned above some power supplies are more efficient with higher input voltage.Probably the wrong term. In some electronic devices that have 100-240 input voltage the power loss (my understanding is efficiency) is less when 240 is used. Not efficiency in terms of lower bill but in terms of ac being converted to dc and having less wasted power consumption. 5-10% loss vs 2-8% loss. Normally heat is considered loss. So with computers heat is considered wasted energy. Now 240 will not lower the consumption of computers but the power supply can become less wasteful when delivering the requested wattage. This is why many power supply units get higher wattage rating when running off of 240 than running off of 120. Temperature is the main thing that kills power supply units.
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