Multiple Welder plugins

[ShuhornGarage]

I have one 50 amp welder plugin but have multiple welders & want to know how to connect four (I believe 6 ga) wires to the existing wire coming into the garage. Yes, yes it's in conduit not just dangling from a rafter.....

Once I have 1 or 2 larger boxes & 4 plugins how do I attach the 4 pig tails to the main feed wire?

Is there some sort of connector available I can use for each line & the ground?

Touring around to the back side my welding table each time I change welders rates high on the pita factor

Any brilliant ideas that will work AND not only be safe but pass inspection?

Not that In would ever get it inspected, just don't want my final moment to be a stiff, shocking experience with steam & smoke escaping from my over heated pores.........

Thanks in advance for your suggestions

Shuhorn

 

[matt_i]

Potentially you could run a #6 awg in conduit from a 50A breaker in your circuit panel to something like a 6-50R (oven plug). It only requires 3 wires....the neutral doesn't get used for a 240vac single phase circuit.

You can buy a 6-50P with a short whip cord on it at a box store.

Route the cord to a setup (a large NEMA 1 box comes to mind with 4 receptacles of your choice, internal would be 3 distribution blocks where the wires terminate.) Make sure the box itself is grounded.

the NEC allows strange (lower) wire sizes to be used for a welder circuit after you analyze the duty cycle and consult tables. However wiring for the full 50A will keep you out of trouble.

 

[pattenp]

Don't know your location, but if you are worried about code, the International Residential Building Code (IRC) only allows multiple outlets on a circuit that is 20A and less. 30A and up are to be dedicated single outlet circuits. A lot of states/jurisdictions follow the IRC. If this is commercial use then never mind.

 

[Jazz1]

Don't know your location, but if you are worried about code, the International Residential Building Code (IRC) only allows multiple outlets on a circuit that is 20A and less. 30A and up are to be dedicated single outlet circuits. A lot of states/jurisdictions follow the IRC. If this is commercial use then never mind.

I just assumed that, I have two 50 amp breakers in my panel, one for each welder and compressor outlets.

 

[ShuhornGarage]

Solution to my multi welder plugin

I used a 8 25" x 8.25" plactic electrical box (drill your own holes) & ran the 1" conduit into the box.

Marked & drilled 4 holes in the lid, 2 at the top centered & 2 at the bottom 2 at the edge of the lid so they are offset to the top plugins so all the cords hang un-obstructed

The feed lines & groind are connected to 4, #6 pig tales with (3) #2 split bolt connectors & then to the plugins

Turned out ok, not as pretty as I'd invisioned but works like a charm

Thanks to Garry at Home Depot for his suggestions of the components. Lucky me, Garry is a retired industrlal elecrician & confirmed it was within code.

Nice Home Depot occasionally hires people that actually know what tbey're talking about ����

 

[wyliesdiesels]

I have one 50 amp welder plugin but have multiple welders & want to know how to connect four (I believe 6 ga) wires to the existing wire coming into the garage. Yes, yes it's in conduit not just dangling from a rafter.....

Once I have 1 or 2 larger boxes & 4 plugins how do I attach the 4 pig tails to the main feed wire?

Is there some sort of connector available I can use for each line & the ground?

Touring around to the back side my welding table each time I change welders rates high on the pita factor

Any brilliant ideas that will work AND not only be safe but pass inspection?

Not that In would ever get it inspected, just don't want my final moment to be a stiff, shocking experience with steam & smoke escaping from my over heated pores.........

Thanks in advance for your suggestions

Shuhorn

Is this in a detached garage?

I just assumed that, I have two 50 amp breakers in my panel, one for each welder and compressor outlets.

Is this in a detached structure?

Also, whats the HP rating on the compressor motor?

 

[u2slow]

I'd much rather size the circuits per the Welding section in the Code based on the machine. The blanket #6/50A construct is heavy on wire and light on breaker. The machine that needs that wire, likely needs a 70-90A breaker too. Now what about that 50A receptacle?

My two machines are happy on #12/20A 240V circuits.

 

[alfredeneuman]

I. The machine that needs that wire, likely needs a 70-90A breaker too. Now what about that 50A receptacle?

In the US at least, you can't use a receptacle that's rated less than the breaker (Exceptions made for multiple 15A 120V receptacles on 20A breakers)

 

[u2slow]

In the US at least, you can't use a receptacle that's rated less than the breaker (Exceptions made for multiple 15A 120V receptacles on 20A breakers)

Which is my point. You run out of breaker before you run out of wire. So the extra cost of #6, and fuss of splicing it doesn't make sense.

I'd size for the machine... or leave empty conduit/boxes for the future.

 

[sberry]

When there are multiple outlets a com I nation oF them can't overload the wire in relationship to the breaker. The larger breakers are not designed for multiple wires so guy might derate it to a recept he has to tap a number 6. Could splice 2 number 10 to a 6

 

[Jazz1]

[QUOTE=wyliesdiesels;8103119]Is this in a detached garage?

Yes,, in my garage panel. 60 amp with 3 15 amp beakers, 2 60’s and one 30 as well as a 15 split receptacle. I wired this 20 years ago



Is this in a detached structure?y
Also, whats the HP rating on the compressor motor?[/QUOTE]

 

[sberry]

What are the 60 for?

 

[86turbodsl]

Wait, you ran all 4 welders to a common distribution box and ran a single set of conductors back to the breaker??? Is that to code?

 

[u2slow]

Wait, you ran all 4 welders to a common distribution box and ran a single set of conductors back to the breaker??? Is that to code?

Sure... like a $75 splitter box. It can be done safely. Don't know if Code allows it.