Wiring a 220V Mig Welder to a 4-Prong 250V Dryer Outlet

[Orange Crush]

I have no 220V outlets in my garage, and was planning to make an extension cord to run to the wife's dryer receptacle, but it is a 4-prong, 250V outlet. I have searched and read quite a bit, but I'm confused as hell. Here's what I've got:

Dryer Receptacle (female): 4-prong, marked NEMA 14-30, 30A-125/250V
Dryer Plug (male): UL 10/4 SRDT, 4-wire/prong, 30A, 125/250V

Welder: Lincoln SP-170T
Welder Plug (male): 12/3 ST "Extra Flex", 3-prong
Welder Input Standard Voltage/Frequency: 230V/60Hz
Welder Input Current: 20 Amps @ Rated Output
Recommended Input Power Cord Specs: 50 Amp, 250V, Three Prong Plug (NEMA Type 6-50P)

Buddy of mine recommended 8-3 wire, but I don't know if I can even wire it for the dryer output receptacle that I have. Help me out please?!?!!!

 

[22213evl]

the new 4 prong plug uses a nuetral and a ground, the other two are 110 volt legs. your welder will work off of this but is probably set up for the two power legs and a ground.if you look inside your breaker box nuetral an ground run to the same bus bar.

 

[glass76]

Have a local IBEW union electrical contractor install the correct welding receptacle close to your welding area. An extension cable set-up even if sized properly, does'nt sound like the way to go. I have a welder that came w/ a 50 amp cord that I run off of a 2P 30A breaker. For small jobs(up to 1/4" steel) it works great, never tripped the breaker.

 

[Madgyver]

Don't do it or you may risk fire.

If this is your home, play it safe because having a 220 outlet will make you want to plug in all kinds of stuff.

Get a certified electrician and have him/her run a seperate breaker box off your electric meter seperate from the home circuits. I have a multiple breaker box with one breaker for the house and the rest for my garage 220V outlet and several 120V outlets..
I also have a 30' extension cord made to handle the 220V with twistlock ends.

 

[brewchief]

Buy the plug that fits into the dryer outlet, wire it using the 2 hot legs and ground, the neutral is there for 120v usage by the dryer you don't need it. The welder input is only 20 amps, 8/3 will be more than enough.

I don't know why you would need a union electrician, as long as they are licensed any electrician can do the same job. %)


Brewchief;D

 

[Broncobowsher]

This what you are looking for. I ran it for awhile until I got the garage plug done. Also used it to run the garage A/C for a few months until I finished that project as well. Really nothing to worry about. The dryer curcuit has a breaker rated for the wiring and the plug. If your welder is too powerful and trips it, then you must do a dedicated and properly rated curcuit. Anyway I keep this handy when I need to work at friends houses and unplug there dryer.

Anyway the plug
Top round is the ground (typically green)
2 vertical terminals are the legs (typically black and red)
bottem "L" shape is nuetral (typically white)

The welder uses the ground and 2 legs, no nuetral.
The nuetral is needed in the dryer plug so there is 110V in the dryer for the light bulb to work. Much safer to run the light bulb off a nuetral then off the ground, which some old dryers did. That is as simplified as I dare make it. If you don't understand that, find an eleltrician.

 

[SpareParts]

This what you are looking for. I ran it for awhile until I got the garage plug done. Also used it to run the garage A/C for a few months until I finished that project as well. Really nothing to worry about. The dryer curcuit has a breaker rated for the wiring and the plug. If your welder is too powerful and trips it, then you must do a dedicated and properly rated curcuit. Anyway I keep this handy when I need to work at friends houses and unplug there dryer.

Anyway the plug
Top round is the ground (typically green)
2 vertical terminals are the legs (typically black and red)
bottem "L" shape is nuetral (typically white)

The welder uses the ground and 2 legs, no nuetral.
The nuetral is needed in the dryer plug so there is 110V in the dryer for the light bulb to work. Much safer to run the light bulb off a nuetral then off the ground, which some old dryers did. That is as simplified as I dare make it. If you don't understand that, find an eleltrician.

I agree, it should be pretty simple to do. If you can't figure it out by this, I would also recommend to find an electrician.

I don't see how doing this is unsafe by any means. Adding to the length of the extension cord, if not the proper size wire can be dangerous.

 

[Orange Crush]

That's exactly what I needed. Thanks!

 

[eb66to77]

Where you at in MD Crush?

 

[Orange Crush]

I'm in Hagerstown, about 25 minutes west of Frederick. Are you an electrician? I would definitely like to have a more adequate power setup in my garage. It's just not in the budget right now.

 

[eb66to77]

No not an electrician. I did wire my entire garage and had my electrician brother do the dominus ominus before I flipped the switch though. I was hoping you were a bit closer to SOMD.

 

[22213evl]

I am/was an IBEW electrican, the advice you have here is spot on on.

 

[Bronco Biff]

I used a dryer cord (ample gauge) 2x4 metal work box, strain relief for the cord and the proper 20 amp receptacle for the welder and a cover.

 

[SteveL]

Another note on this one. Make sure all wire is sized for the breaker feeding it, Otherwise you can burn up the wire. 20 amp is #12 wire. 30 amp uses #10 wire. Use #8 for 50 amps.

 

[Orange Crush]

Another note on this one. Make sure all wire is sized for the breaker feeding it, Otherwise you can burn up the wire. 20 amp is #12 wire. 30 amp uses #10 wire. Use #8 for 50 amps.

Went to Lowes and bought the correct plug and receptacle, but they didn't have the 8-3 cable. It was too late to go to an electrical supply store so I'll have to pick it up tomorrow.

 

[SpareParts]

6-3 is recommended for 50 amps. 8-3 might be ok for short runs but if you are plugging it into a dryer outlet you only have 30 amps to begin with.

 

[Broncobowsher]

I just got a premade dryer plug and added the welder outlet to that. The plugs are readily available as old dryers are moved into new homes and new homes get old dryers. The plugs with built in pigtail can ofent be found for less then the plug alone.

Hint, they are not in the eletrical isle. Look in the appliance section. Near the dryer vents.

 

[SpareParts]

It sounded like he was going to make a longer extension. I agree the and that's what I have in my shop to convert to different plugs. But it also helps that I work for an appliance store doing service on them.

David

 

[Orange Crush]

Yep, I thought about grabbing one of the pre-wired plugs but that won't give me the length that I need. I need a 20-25' extension cord.

 

[grauerfam]

Bob, I did the same thing for my Lincoln arc welder when I lived in a townhouse. Ran the extension cord in thru the front basement window and plugged it into the dryer receptacle. Boy, did they ever love me there!