Welder plug for Dryer

[sootman60]

Hello all,

I have a 6-50R welder plug in my shop that I'd like to use to power an electric dryer. The dryer is the older 3 prong type. I don't know if this can be done or I should just convert to a dryer receptacle and then adapt for my welder? I see plenty of those conversions just not the other way around.

Thanks!

 

[sootman60]

And to add to my question:

My dryer is a 10-30P plug, I don't see much difference in the wiring diagram of these. I'd like it to be easy to change from welder to dryer since the wife will be making the change to use the dryer.

 

[ddawg16]

The dryer is 30A....your plug is 50A.

Putting a 4-prong on your dryer is not an issue....the neutral will just not be hooked up.

To be safe, I'd swap out the 50a breaker with a 30A flavor.

 

[pattenp]

The dryer is 30A....your plug is 50A.

Putting a 4-prong on your dryer is not an issue....the neutral will just not be hooked up.

To be safe, I'd swap out the 50a breaker with a 30A flavor.

The neutral is needed because the dryer has 120V controls. Technically the old style 3 wire dryer outlets are 2 hots and a neutral, no ground.

 

[TractorJeff]

OP has the older nema 10-30 type plug which wires the same as the 6-50R that he currently has in the garage.
Yes you could utilize the circuit for the Dryer, BUT I would ONLY recommend that you drop back to a 30 amp breaker.
OR not

 

[wyliesdiesels]

Hello all,

I have a 6-50R welder plug in my shop that I'd like to use to power an electric dryer. The dryer is the older 3 prong type. I don't know if this can be done or I should just convert to a dryer receptacle and then adapt for my welder? I see plenty of those conversions just not the other way around.

Thanks!

When you say plug did you mean outlet?

No you cannot do what you want.

The welder outlet not only is 50a but is 240v only- 2 hots and a ground. A dryer needs 120v/240v- 2 hots neutral and ground.

If you hookup your dryer to that outlet, you will be putting neutral return current on the ground wire, which may be bare, potentially energizing other grounded metal, which is a no no.

Older 3 wire dryer circuits had 2 hots and a neutral/no ground feeding a 10-30r. However, all 3 wires were insulated. The 3-wire dryer circuit has the potential to be hazardous because of the neutral to chassis bond on the dryer terminal strip.

These circuits are no longer allowed as of 1996, due to the possible shock hazard.

You should run a new circuit.

And to add to my question:

My dryer is a 10-30P plug, I don't see much difference in the wiring diagram of these. I'd like it to be easy to change from welder to dryer since the wife will be making the change to use the dryer.

The only way to do this is if there is a 4-wire feed to the outlet.

Then you would need to change the breaker to 30a and put in a 14-30r.

Also change the plug on the dryer to 14-30.

Its more of a PITA than just running a new circuit especially if the panel i close by.

The dryer is 30A....your plug is 50A.

Putting a 4-prong on your dryer is not an issue....the neutral will just not be hooked up.

To be safe, I'd swap out the 50a breaker with a 30A flavor.

And then how will a 4-wire dryer function without the neutral?

What you suggest doesnt work.

 

[pattenp]

You need to be aware of how the 6-50 outlet circuit is wired at the panel. If the 50A circuit is coming off the main service panel where the neutrals and grounds are bonded then it's not as big of a deal to use the ground as a neutral for the old 10-30. But if that 50A circuit is coming from a sub panel where the neutrals are not bonded you need to switch the ground wire for the 10-30 to the neutral bar for the dryer use, but then that presents an issue for using that outlet for a welder. It's never a good idea to try to mix uses for special purpose outlets. And you do need to drop the breaker to a DP30.

Wylie posted while I was pecking and sums it up nicely.

 

[wyliesdiesels]

OP has the older nema 10-30 type plug which wires the same as the 6-50R that he currently has in the garage.
Yes you could utilize the circuit for the Dryer, BUT I would ONLY recommend that you drop back to a 30 amp breaker.
OR not

WRONG!

A 10-30 is hot hot neutral 125/250v non grounded.

A 6-50 is hot hot ground 250v.

 

[ddawg16]

And then how will a 4-wire dryer function without the neutral?

What you suggest doesnt work.

I should have looked at how his plug actually looked. I thought he had a 4 wire welder plug. That is what I have.

 

[sberry]

If it was humanly possible would ne running a new wire for the fryer and while I was at it anther one for a welder. If it was coming from a service main may even consider converting a dryer wire to a welder and replacing the old dryer with a new one.

 

[wyliesdiesels]

Wylie posted while I was pecking and sums it up nicely.

Its funny cause i actually started typing at 1:30 before your first comment then got distracted with hurricane news and didnt hit submit til almost an hour later.

I should have looked at how his plug actually looked. I thought he had a 4 wire welder plug. That is what I have.

Welders dont need a neutral so they only need 3-wire outlets, usually 6-50r, which is what OP has.

Im not following you.

 

[sootman60]

Strange I never got any notifications for these replies.

So I think i'm going to add a circuit for the dryer and a new outlet. The welder plug is on a 30ft cord hardwired into the box so it was ideal to use for the dryer if i could. The dryer will not be in a permanent location every time it is used.

I maybe just add the new outlet and then make an extension cord to run the dryer wherever we need it.

Thanks!

 

[Norcal]

I should have looked at how his plug actually looked. I thought he had a 4 wire welder plug. That is what I have.

Only time a welder needs a 4-wire plug is if it was 3 phase, no reason otherwise as there is not many code compliant ways to use a neutral, & since it's for a welder they don't require a neutral.