Multiple 240v otlets on one circuit

[FlavortownPublicWorks]

I would like to install 3 NEMA 14-50 outlets (240v 50A) on one circuit, so that I can use my welder in different locations in the garage. Is this allowed? See left wall on attached plan.

If not, can you show me the section in the NEC that states this?

If yes, how do you do it? Can the the splice be made inside 14-50 outlet, i.e two wires are pushed into each terminal of the outlet and clamped down on with the screw? Or is some sort of pigtail splice needed? I'd like to avoid using polaris connectors at $30 each... I could buy enough wire to run each outlet individually at that cost...

 

[02vito]

I recently did this in my new shop. According to my interpretation of the NEC and my electrical inspector, it is perfectly legal.

The problem is splicing the #6 conductors and having enough room in the receptacle boxes to work with these large wires.

To mount the receptacles, I used 4"-square, deep metal boxes with extenders to give me more volume. The 4" deep box is NEC-legal for 3 - #6 conductors, but it was much easier to use the box extenders and my inspector suggested this.

With this approach you will not be able to daisy-chain the receptacles. You will need to run home-runs to a splice box fed by your branch-circuit breaker.

 

[pattenp]

If residential use and if your area follows the International Residential Building Code then, no. 20A is the max circuit size for multiple outlets on a single circuit. IRC E3702.5

The NEC is mute on this. Also why 14-50? Welders don't use a neutral.

 

[FlavortownPublicWorks]

14-50 to future proof for an EV charger, and I can still plug the welder's 6-50 plug into a 14-50.

 

[dcg9381]

"If residential use " is what you want to consider... Or IE - inspection upon resale.

I posted pretty much the exact same question about 30 days ago (I'll need to find the link). For me, the cost of properly splicing 6/3 gets quickly out of hand using lugs, so the only real advantage to splicing it up is reducing the amount of wire run.

I eventually did two things:
1) I went to 2 runs of dedicated 6/3 at 55amps.
2) The longer runs, along a single wall, where I wanted "welder" outlets, I did in 10/3 at 30A. 10/3 can connect to those 14-50 sockets (2 wires per pin) just fine. No need for lugs. And MY welder doesn't pull 30A at 240v - more like 20A - I think it's a Lincoln 185. So it's pretty easy to do a series of these.

 

[jeepinerdeep]

I made 2 runs off the bottom of my knife disconnect to accommodate the wire size issue, not off the back of the receptacle. I doubt its legit by code, but its not terrible.

 

[wyliesdiesels]

14-50 to future proof for an EV charger, and I can still plug the welder's 6-50 plug into a 14-50.

You cannot plug a 6-50P into a 14–50R. A 6-50P is three prongs and a 14–50R is four prongs.

You would need to use an adapter.

Instead of putting 14-50Rs everywhere you could just put in 6-50Rs and then change one of them on a future date to a 14-50R.

And no you cannot put 2 wires under the lugs on the outlet.

 

[aandpdan]

You also can't have a receptacle rated greater than what the wire is rated.

10 gauge wire = 30 amp max receptacle.

 

[sberry]

The exception is,welder,,, but you cant put them daisy chain with undersized wire.

 

[camaro77]

I just did this in my garage we ran 6-3 wire to the first box and then the electrician used so e type of wire nut to join them together he used what he called a whip wire to connect to the first plug the recepticale is not big enough to have 2 # 6 wires slide into it. we did have to use 3 boxes so there was enough room to have nothing touching but the inspector had zero issues with this. I only added the second plug incase I had to bring the welder outside the shop I do have a 25 ft extension cord also. just figured walls are open now is the time to do all the plugs.

 

[PT Doc]

Or just run individual circuits to the proposed locations.
Or just make an appropriate length extension cord and have 1 circuit.

 

[FlavortownPublicWorks]

You cannot plug a 6-50P into a 14–50R. A 6-50P is three prongs and a 14–50R is four prongs.

You would need to use an adapter.

Instead of putting 14-50Rs everywhere you could just put in 6-50Rs and then change one of them on a future date to a 14-50R.

And no you cannot put 2 wires under the lugs on the outlet.

I was under the impression that the 14-50 was backwards compatible with the 6-50, but turns out that was just wishful thinking.

You also can't have a receptacle rated greater than what the wire is rated.

10 gauge wire = 30 amp max receptacle.

I'm using 6 ga wire.

 

[nsula_country]

If using 6 ga wire, daisy chain them. Wire is protected at 50 amps... The fun part is tapping the drops. Either polaris style or split bolts will be needed using deep 4 11/16 boxes or larger. Pull a neutral if 4 wire is needed.

CT

 

[FlavortownPublicWorks]

Would it be allowed to take a ground lug from a service panel and use a segment of that to join the wires. It would work like a polaris connector, but at a fraction of the cost...

 

[sanddan]

You might consider just making an extension cord for when you want the welder in another location. My tig (50 amp circuit) lives next to my welding table but it has been used in different parts of the shop such as the lift bay. The extension cord was an easy way to move it close enough to the job when needed.

 

[nsula_country]

Would it be allowed to take a ground lug from a service panel and use a segment of that to join the wires. It would work like a polaris connector, but at a fraction of the cost...

NO! Use split bolts if cost is a concern. Cheaper than Polaris style, but savings is offset by time. Split bolts require stripping wire, tightening split bolt, wrapping in cambric tape or teflon tape, then wrapping with 3M 130C or equivalent, then wrap with 3M Super33 or equivalent. Lather, rinse, repeat for as many termination points required.

You might consider just making an extension cord for when you want the welder in another location. My tig (50 amp circuit) lives next to my welding table but it has been used in different parts of the shop such as the lift bay. The extension cord was an easy way to move it close enough to the job when needed.

I built one of these when at old shop location. 50' of 6/3 with a 6-50P on one end and 6-50R on the other. Honestly 8/3 would have been more than sufficient.

CT

 

[dcg9381]

You might consider just making an extension cord for when you want the welder in another location. My tig (50 amp circuit) lives next to my welding table but it has been used in different parts of the shop such as the lift bay. The extension cord was an easy way to move it close enough to the job when needed.

This is totally fair... But some of us don't want giant extension cords running all over the place!

 

[mike93lx]

This is totally fair... But some of us don't want giant extension cords running all over the place!

crazy idea, but pull out the one cord when you need it and put it away when you are done.

premade 8/3 extension cords with molded 6-50 connectors are cheap on amazon and ebay. there is no cost advantage to making, unless you already have some of the parts, plus the ends are much smaller on the premade cords.

 

[jeffberk]

I was just about to post this same question. I have an EV charging station that I need to move to another wall. The charging station was installed with a NEMA 10-50. About 1/2 way between the breaker and the outlet, I'd like to tap into this wire and run a cable to a second outlet. Since only one outlet will be used at a time, this shouldn't overload the circuit.
I was going with Polaris connectors for ease of use and fool proof wiring. Does this connection need to be in a box or is the Polaris connector adequate?

 

[PT Doc]

Regarding Polaris connectors. They come with torques specs based on wired size. Super clean and easy to use. The split bolts sound time consuming and likely larger in size than the Polaris.