welder/generator wiring

[seanstrx276]

Hi Everyone.

I currently have a 4 wire 50a 250v receptacle in my garage for a generator. I just bought a 220v mig welder that has a 3 wire plug. Can I add a 3 wire receptacle off of the incoming line?

I would add a junction box to attach to the red/blk/grn, letting the wht go straight to the 4 wire receptacle. Would that be the correct way to do it?


Thanks,
Sean

 

[Alchymist]

Easiest way around that is to make up a short adapter cord - put a matching 4 pin plug on one end and a 3 pin connector on the other, wire the two hots & ground, skip the neutral.Can also come in handy for a little extra length for the welder also. # 8 Sjow should work fine.

On edit - why would you have a receptacle for a generator???

 

[seanstrx276]

Great idea! didn't even think about that. Thank you.

It back feeds the panel... I know, I should be using a transfer switch.

 

[Socophreak]

Yes, eliminate the neutral. Do this all the time for testing various equipment.

 

[Norcal]

Great idea! didn't even think about that. Thank you.

It back feeds the panel... I know, I should be using a transfer switch.

No, should be in jail / prison w/ Big Bubba...

 

[pattenp]

You stepped in it big time when you made this comment.

Hi Everyone.

I currently have a 4 wire 50a 250v receptacle in my garage for a generator. I just bought a 220v mig welder that has a 3 wire plug. Can I add a 3 wire receptacle off of the incoming line?

I would add a junction box to attach to the red/blk/grn, letting the wht go straight to the 4 wire receptacle. Would that be the correct way to do it?


Thanks,
Sean

 

[seanstrx276]

Not that it makes it any better... but this is the setup they were using when we bought the house. The home inspector even told me how it worked and said they sell a breaker lock so those breakers and the main cannot be turned on at the same time.

 

[pattenp]

If the breaker interlock is allowed in your area then that's a good thing to do. Here's the only site I've found to make them for a wide range of panels.

http://www.interlockkit.com/intro2.htm

 

[Highbeam]

I have an interlock tab that was made with my Siemens panel. It is integral to the cover. Anyway, that generator "plug" needs to be a male plug. No big deal, they are available but you aren't supposed to make a suicide cord (double ended male cord) for obvious reasons.

Once you make it proper and legal for generator use then the circuit becomes useless for anything else.

 

[Alchymist]

Great idea! didn't even think about that. Thank you.

It back feeds the panel... I know, I should be using a transfer switch.

Opened yourself up on this one....

 

[Steevo]

Put a plug like this on your MIG welder:

I got this at Home Depot and just left off the neutral blade when I wired it on my compressor. I have the same receptacle you are talking about in my shop, and want to use it for a compressor that only needs 2 hots and a ground.

 

[seanstrx276]

Steevo, that is exactly what I bought.

Thanks everyone else for input, I got it up and running now.