NEMA 10-30 for Welder

[tubamonster]

I know it isn't the best way, but I would like to run my welder on my dryer outlet. It is 200 amp welder, but I won't be running it above 125 amps on this circuit. I know it would be best to use a 50 amp circuit, but I am renting and won't be in this house for more than another year and a half so adding a circuit isn't worth it.

Before I shell out $60 for an adapter, I have a NEMA 10-30 (3 prong dryer) plug for the welder. I understand that the green wire is the ground, black is hot, and white is neutral. I also know that there isn't a ground for NEMA 10-30 plugs.

Where do I attach the black, white, and green wires?=

 

[wyliesdiesels]

What is the brand and model on the welder?

Does the dryer outlet connect to a subpanel or main?

 

[tubamonster]

It connects to the main panel I believe. I guess I should mention that I also have to use it for my dryer.

The welder is a CK MT200AC/DC. CK said it was safe to run on the dryer outlet.

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[sberry]

It will run from that.

 

[SickSpeedMonte]

There is no current-carrying neutral on a purely 240V load like your welder. The black and white are both hot, 180 deg out of phase (which is why the two bars in the breaker box alternate going down). If you take the cover off the breaker, you'll see the black on one leg of the breaker and the white on the other. You might have a current-carrying neutral on something like an oven that has 120V loads for the light or controls. Today's code requires a separate ground wire, purely for grounding the chassis. Back when 10-30's were code, the ground and the neutral were the same wire.

 

[pattenp]

To connect the 10-30 plug to the welder cord the black and white connect to the flat prongs (X and Y) and the green ground will connect to the "L" shape prong (W). You should be fine as long as the neutral is bonded to ground in the panel where the circuit comes from. This is why you were asked about the circuit being from a subpanel.

 

[wyliesdiesels]

i just checked the specs.

You will have issues with the breaker tripping if you run it full tilt since the input current is 34a @ 240v...

 

[sberry]

I bet it runs fine. Buzzers run around 40A and if they are not turned up too far they will work some. This machine is 34 @ 200 and I assume an inverter. If he is running sticks even 1/8 lo hi is hot at 115

 

[tubamonster]

I appreciate everyone's help. I wired it and is running fine, at least at 80 amps. I don't plan on running anything more than a 1/8 7018, so I'll be well under 200 amps. For GTAW, I only have an air cooled torch so I won't be running it above 150 amps.

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