Running wire to an outside welding area?

[mpire]

If I have 220 in the garage and I wanted to run a wire into the ground to a covered concrete pad about 25 feet away, would this be dangerous? I was going to stick a water tight box to the corner post. Its a small covered concrete parking pad big enough for one car, 4 wooden posts, and a metal roof. No walls. I figure its a good place to practice welding if there isn't much to catch on fire.

Should I just use an extension cord?

Tell me why this is a bad idea.

 

[Buckgnarly]

Bad idea if you want to weld with gas. Stick or Flux core good, but any wind will make gas welding tough.

 

[mike93lx]

A receptacle in the ground outdoors? I'd do an extension cord and a receptacle in the wall instead.

If you do this, you need conduit and thwn wire

 

[Chuckster in NJ]

For the amount of welding that I do I just use an extension cord and roll it up when I am done…….. I am sure you can do better on the price if you go to your local electrical supply house.

 

[The Cobbler]

I guess I would ask if you're welding every day or once a month sort of thing.
every day I would run a permanent feed. occasional use I would get an extension cord

 

[wyliesdiesels]

If I have 220 in the garage and I wanted to run a wire into the ground to a covered concrete pad about 25 feet away, would this be dangerous?

not dangerous if done correctly... but how much welding and how often are you doing it? if just once in awhile i would just use an extension cord

 

[mpire]

I know very little, a friend is teaching me when he has time. I am getting dramatically better with a grinder, that's for sure. However, if I don't practice I'm not going to learn.

The extension cord is looking like the way to go.

 

[cvairwerks]

Stick welding out there isn't going to be much of a problem, as long as there is little to no wind. Trying to do MiG or TiG with any wind at all is going to be an exercise in absolute frustration. If either of the last two, you would be better off buying a couple of portable welding curtains and working just inside the main garage door,

 

[alfredeneuman]

You only need a 3 wire extension cord for a welder.

Southwire (By-the-Foot) 6/3 600-Volt CU Black Flexible Portable Power SOOW Cord 55809299 - The Home Depot

Southwire's Viper SOOW portable rubber cord is used for wiring industrial machinery, motors and associated equipment, portable tools and equipment and temporary electrical power and lighting installations

www.homedepot.com

 

[Bert_]

You almost certainly don't need #6.

10-3 cord will run many (most) welders. A #8 will run pretty much anything that uses a 50A plug.

I regularly run my 200A inverter welder on a 50' #12 cord. Just no reason to drag a big heavy cord around.

 

[sparky 1971]

You can one of these for less than you can make an extension cord for or you can buy two of them for less than what it would take to bury the wire, and a helluva lot less work.

Smart Electrician® 20' 8/3 40-Amp Welder Cord

It takes a lot to power your welder, which is why a dedicated welding extension cord is such an important tool to have in your workshop. Made specifically to handle the power of a welder, the Smart Electrician® 8/3 4-Amp Welder Cord allows you to have more mobility when welding. When you're...

www.menards.com

 

[Bert_]

I make a few cords a year for guys. Generally this is how I make them. Usually get a cover just to make it look pretty. This is my cord for my welder, 50' #12 SO cord.

Cost about $100

 

[The Cobbler]

if you keep an eye on local classifieds you can get deals on cordage .

 

[Joemctag]

I was going to make one, but bought a 40’ online cheaper. Went with 6 ga., but it’s heavy and 8 ga, would have been fine. I’m running a 120/240V stick welder ( inverter).
Standard 6-50 plugs .

 

[wyliesdiesels]

I was going to make one, but bought a 40’ online cheaper. Went with 6 ga., but it’s heavy and 8 ga, would have been fine. I’m running a 120/240V stick welder ( inverter).
Standard 6-50 plugs .

if it has a 6-50p how are you running it on 120v?

 

[MovingAlong]

If I have 220 in the garage and I wanted to run a wire into the ground to a covered concrete pad about 25 feet away, would this be dangerous? I was going to stick a water tight box to the corner post. Its a small covered concrete parking pad big enough for one car, 4 wooden posts, and a metal roof. No walls. I figure its a good place to practice welding if there isn't much to catch on fire.

Should I just use an extension cord?

Tell me why this is a bad idea.

1) Not dangerous if you follow code.
2) I'd just use an extension cord.
3) Because you live in Florida. Outdoors is hot/sticky/wet, mosquitoes, open walls means no arc flash shielding for others eyes, materials will probably be stored elsewhere, welding table probably elsewhere, rods/hood/jacket/gloves stored elsewhere... Lot's more pieces to welding than just the welder, you get the idea.

You are correct about wanting a space that is safe though. Ignore the reasons listed in #3 above, drag the tools out there and get to work!

 

[larry4406]

I make a few cords a year for guys. Generally this is how I make them. Usually get a cover just to make it look pretty. This is my cord for my welder, 50' #12 SO cord

Bert - that looks very nice.

What is the proper term for the fitting that secures the cable to the metal box? I need to redo my welding cord end and like this.

 

[mike93lx]

if it has a 6-50p how are you running it on 120v?

Its a dual voltage welder. He didn't say it's running at 120v

 

[Bert_]

if it has a 6-50p how are you running it on 120v?

It's 120v OR 240v. You plug it into either one and it welds. Usually come with an adapter for 120v

 

[Bert_]

Bert - that looks very nice.

What is the proper term for the fitting that secures the cable to the metal box? I need to redo my welding cord end and like this.

Honestly couldn't tell you the official name. I always just ask for an O-Z Gedney iron cord grip.

The range in size of cord they accept is pretty small. So you need to know the diameter of the cord you are using.

I usually use a bell box for the receptacle. There are better ways but the bell box and flush receptacle are reasonable cost and fairly durable.

 

[larry4406]

Honestly couldn't tell you the official name. I always just ask for an O-Z Gedney iron cord grip.

The range in size of cord they accept is pretty small. So you need to know the diameter of the cord you are using.

I usually use a bell box for the receptacle. There are better ways but the bell box and flush receptacle are reasonable cost and fairly durable.

Strain relief cord connector seems to be the best description after some googling of your suggestion. Appears the orange store near me carries them.

 

[manwithtools]

@larry4406 Another term widely used for them is Cord Grip Body or simply Cord Grip, also called Cable Glands or Strain Relief, naming is very regional and trade specialty dependent. For instance, an industrial electrician is far more apt to use these than a commercial or residential electrician and will be familiar with their use and application.

I've become more likely to use this nylon body style; they typically accommodate a wider range of cord sizes for a given part number:

Nylon Cord Grip

 

[Bert_]

@larry4406 Another term widely used for them is Cord Grip Body or simply Cord Grip, also called Cable Glands or Strain Relief, naming is very regional and trade specialty dependent. For instance, an industrial electrician is far more apt to use these than a commercial or residential electrician and will be familiar with their use and application.

I've become more likely to use this nylon body style; they typically accommodate a wider range of cord sizes for a given part number:

Nylon Cord Grip

I thought everybody knew what a cord grip was. I assumed Larry wanted to know about the metal one in my picture?

Don't use plastic cord grips for something like this. They will get broken. Maybe a plastic Woodhead might hold up but then your halfway to a good iron one that will last forever.

 

[PCustoms]

@larry4406

Home depot carries these, obviously need to get correct size:

 

[sparky 1971]

Strain relief cord connector seems to be the best description after some googling of your suggestion. Appears the orange store near me carries them.

I get these at the local supply house and keep a couple of each on my truck. It takes the guessing out of what size rubber grommet is needed.

3/4 hub

American Fittings CG75K 3/4" Straight Cord Grip Connector Kit, Range .125-.880, Color Coded Grommets, 9/16" Thread Length, Steel (USA) | Cooper Electric

3/4" .125-.880 Cord Grip Connector Kit Steel USA

www.cooper-electric.com

1/2 hub

American Fittings CG50K 1/2" Straight Cord Grip Connector Kit, Range .125-.650, Color Coded Grommets, 7/16" Thread Length, Steel (USA) | Cooper Electric

1/2" .125-.650 Cord Grip Connector Kit Steel USA

www.cooper-electric.com

 

[Bert_]

I get these at the local supply house and keep a couple of each on my truck. It takes the guessing out of what size rubber grommet is needed.

3/4 hub

American Fittings CG75K 3/4" Straight Cord Grip Connector Kit, Range .125-.880, Color Coded Grommets, 9/16" Thread Length, Steel (USA) | Cooper Electric

3/4" .125-.880 Cord Grip Connector Kit Steel USA

www.cooper-electric.com

1/2 hub

American Fittings CG50K 1/2" Straight Cord Grip Connector Kit, Range .125-.650, Color Coded Grommets, 7/16" Thread Length, Steel (USA) | Cooper Electric

1/2" .125-.650 Cord Grip Connector Kit Steel USA

www.cooper-electric.com

Those look decent. Local electric supply here carries AFC. I'll have to see about getting some.

 

[Joemctag]

if it has a 6-50p how are you running it on 120v 6-50p is wired to L1,L2, ground, no neutral, 240V with the cord. The welder can be taken to jobs with 120. It comes with an adapter.

Also, these welders typically sense whether you plug them into 240 or 120, so no need to flip any switch on the machine.

 

[BrandonV]

I usually use a bell box for the receptacle.

Bell box works well. These days at work 314.23(H)(1) pretty much forces me to use a box with a hub instead to appease the AHJ and OSHA man.

 

[wyliesdiesels]

Its a dual voltage welder. He didn't say it's running at 120v

I understand that however a 6-50p and r does not have a neutral so if he wanted to run it on 120v, does it come with an adapter?

 

[theoldwizard1]

I make a few cords a year for guys. Generally this is how I make them. Usually get a cover just to make it look pretty. This is my cord for my welder, 50' #12 SO cord.

You can use SJOOW if you are under 300V. Insulation is not as thick.

 

[mike93lx]

I understand that however a 6-50p and r does not have a neutral so if he wanted to run it on 120v, does it come with an adapter?

Yes, thats how dual voltage welders come. You'll get an adapter to go from a 6-50 to 5-15

 

[dave*99]

Yes, thats how dual voltage welders come. You'll get an adapter to go from a 6-50 to 5-15

Imagine the laughs you would get with that adapter many years ago before inverter welders existed....

 

[Crazyjake8493]

When I started welding I made a 25ft extension cord with 10/4 SOOW and 6-50 ends. Still have it but once I started welding outside more (and got sick of running the extension cord under the garage door) I added a dedicated 6-50R on the exterior wall of the garage by the driveway. I still use the extension cord to get farther from the garage, or for wheeling the TIG welder around inside the garage.