Multiple receptacle types

[leeko]

Hi,

I'm working on building a utility/welding station, and will be incorporating 220v power to it. I have a couple of welders and some other equipment I'd like to power via receptacles on the cart, and the cart itself will be plugged into a wall socket. The machines all have different plug types, so I was considering putting one of each type of 220v receptacle on the cart (50amp range receptacle for the tig welder, 30amp twist-lock for some other machines, and 20amp straight-blade for everything else).

Is it ok to pigtail each of these receptacles on the same circuit? None of the machines draws more than 30amps, and the circuit is 10awg wire with a 30amp breaker. The receptacle that the cart will plug into is a 30amp twist-lock style.

Yes, I know that I could switch all of the plugs over to the twist-lock, but I like the idea of being able to quickly test machinery as it comes through, without having to rewire plugs every time.

Thanks for your advice,

Lee

 

[2ManyProjects]

Hi,

I'm working on building a utility/welding station, and will be incorporating 220v power to it. I have a couple of welders and some other equipment I'd like to power via receptacles on the cart, and the cart itself will be plugged into a wall socket. The machines all have different plug types, so I was considering putting one of each type of 220v receptacle on the cart (50amp range receptacle for the tig welder, 30amp twist-lock for some other machines, and 20amp straight-blade for everything else).

Is it ok to pigtail each of these receptacles on the same circuit?

In a word: NO!

None of the machines draws more than 30amps,

Doesn't matter. Even 30 Amps is, obviously, too much for that 20A outlet; and since the breaker would HAVE TO BE at least 30A to also supply the 30A twist-lock, the 20A outlet (and, presumably, its pigtail) would be inadequately protected.

and the circuit is 10awg wire with a 30amp breaker.

And that would be inadequate to support the 50A outlet. Yes, in theory, you can undersize the wiring to some degree on a DEDICATED welder outlet; but it still requires a higher-rated breaker -- which brings us right back to the problem of the 30A and 20A outlets being inadequately protected . And besides, I am far from confident than an outlet installed on a portable cart could ever be considered "dedicated", and thus qualify for that loophole in the code.

The receptacle that the cart will plug into is a 30amp twist-lock style.

Which would be inadequate to supply the 50A outlet on the cart.

Yes, I know that I could switch all of the plugs over to the twist-lock, but I like the idea of being able to quickly test machinery as it comes through, without having to rewire plugs every time.

What's stopping you from putting three completely independent circuits on the cart, each fed from a PROPERLY sized (and breakered) outlet on the wall?

 

[JoeFin]

2manyprojects is right

You would be giving up properly sized fault current protection for the machines as well as violating the NEC.

And just so everyone understands the severity of violating the NEC - Every Law Library has every edition of the NEC chronologically right next to the UBC and issues of local and county codes. Doesn't mean a lot until some one other then yourself wanders into your shop and gets hurt

OR your garage burns down and the insurance company is looking for a way to get out of paying you for the loss of the garage/house and contents.

This is the world we live in today

So if your still in the planning stages of your shop/garage you would do yourself justice to plan out your dedicated receptacles and types. That way only the right welder is plugged into the right receptacle each and every time.

 

[sberry]

Do not read the code as an instruction manual. We have to some extent bastardized the machines already if the cords have been tampered with. What machines do you have? Not that some of this idea wouldn't work but it comes with its own problems.

Where there is the potential of a combination to overload the wire then its an issue,,, not likely with a single operator on a platform but a range recept is not a welder recept, what models are the other machines?
About the best solution is to put 50A plugs on all of them if they are 240 and use a cord with the recept, plug the machine needed in to it.

Yes, I know that I could switch all of the plugs over to the twist-lock, but I like the idea of being able to quickly test machinery as it comes through, without having to rewire plugs every time

. You don't need this, if you get a queer make an adapter for a test.

 

[leeko]

Hi all,

Thanks for the replies. I obviously didn't have the requirements straight in my head - I'm planning to have an electrician come in and run a sub-panel, so will enlist his help with this part too.

Thanks again

 

[FarmerPete]

I doubt it would solve your dilemma, but would you legally be able to do as he's suggesting if you put a 20a breaker on the circuit? Sure, you couldn't draw more than 20a, but you might be able to do some of your testing without too much of an issue. Only other thought is as suggested, have several cables connecting your cart to the wall. I am sure it must violate code, but you could probably safely install a sub panel in your cart. Then you could have several branch circuits to the different receptacles.

 

[theoldwizard1]

Make up adapters.