Wiring 6-50 receptacle

[rotortuner]

Ok just need a quick double check as I’m installing several 6-50r receptacles in my shop.

Wire I’m using is 8/3 with ground. So it has 3 - 8 gauge wires, w r b. And then a 12 ga bare ground.

Most receptacles are fed from sub panels where the ground n neutral are not bonded together (they are fed from my main panel that gr n neutral are bonded together.

In the sub panels I’m connecting hots to breakers white to unbonded neutral and bare ground to ground bar.

Question, at the receptacle I’m wiring the red n black hots to the normal pins but the gr pin is where I’m not sure, do I use the 12ga bare ground or white 8 ga neutral?

 

[Bert_]

6-50 doesn't have a neutral. Could have used 8-2. Just cap the white. FYI the bare wire is #10 not #12

 

[rotortuner]

Thanks. I guess I’ll be good if someday I need to convert to a 14-50 receptacle on any of them..

 

[Norcal]

Thanks. I guess I’ll be good if someday I need to convert to a 14-50 receptacle on any of them..

But there is little need for it, people add a unneeded neutral for 240V circuits, 'cause it might be needed but unless it's a range, dryer, Hoshizaki 208-230V single phase ice machine, it is not needed, and if wanting a 15-20A 120 volt convenience outlet, one cannot simply add one to a 30/50A circuit without protection.

 

[pattenp]

What is the intended use of these 6-50 outlets? You said you are using #8/3 with ground which is NM and is only good to 40A. I assume for welder use only? Also #8 NM should have a #10 ground. #12 for a ground is only good for up to 20A circuits. The white wire is not to be used for a ground, needs to be green or bare.

 

[u2slow]

Several runs of #8 on a 6-50P would be great for several 8kW portable electric heaters.

A welding machine that needs #8, will also need a much larger breaker than a 50A.

 

[wyliesdiesels]

What is the intended use of these 6-50 outlets? You said you are using #8/3 with ground which is NM and is only good to 40A. I assume for welder use only? Also #8 NM should have a #10 ground. #12 for a ground is only good for up to 20A circuits. The white wire is not to be used for a ground, needs to be green or bare.

beat me to it. #8 NM-b limited to 40a...

 

[sberry]

A 10 cable is legal on a welder at 50.

 

[alfredeneuman]

beat me to it. #8 NM-b limited to 40a...

....but there are no 40A receptacles so the NEC says (in the table) to use a 50A receptacle

 

[sberry]

8 makes for a great welder circuit. Run anything with a factory cord. Even a 252 class feeder won't overheat it in a home shop.

 

[pattenp]

....but there are no 40A receptacles so the NEC says (in the table) to use a 50A receptacle

That's fine as long as the breaker is no larger than 40A for the #8 circuit to be general use. It's not known what the OP is intending to use the 6-50 outlets for.

 

[wyliesdiesels]

....but there are no 40A receptacles so the NEC says (in the table) to use a 50A receptacle

I never said anything about receptacles and the load still could not be 50a.

 

[alfredeneuman]

The title is "Wiring 6-50 receptacle"