Well, I finally got around to putting a divider wall in my shop to keep all the body work dust away from any engine builds and such. My question is this: How do I add a second 50amp outlet for my welder while running off the same breaker in the box? I dont have room for a second breaker. I thought of adding a second, smaller box, but that wont solve the problem of only enough room for one set of wiring in a breaker. Most of the small boxes I've seen are for just one breaker. I really dont want to have to add another 100amp box to just run 2 50 amp breakers. Is this my only option??? Thanks

Stryder

 

You can find all sorts of wiring info at:
http://www.homewiringandmore.com/forums/index.html

 

They make boxes for 6 circuits/breakers.


You could also do a power tap .

Its used in industrial plants ,

run emt conduit to where you need the welder outlet ,install new outlet, run correct size wire through conduit ,back to where your orignal welder outlet is ending at a proper size box/outlet .

Then you get 2 plugs matching your outlets

Get proper sjo /#8 /or #6 wire and put plugs on both ends,pplug one in orignal and one in new outlet . Its legal as long as proper size wire and grounds are carried through out.

Rich

I have this setup to run my plasma cutter off my welding circuit .

Remeber chk with your local codes though

 

Do you plug one plug in and see if it is hot by licking the prongs on the other plug? If your eyebrows smoke is the breaker OK?

 

Thanks, I'll take a look at the wiring site later tonight. Torque...I'm afraid the wife would leave me if I took on a natural Don King look!

 

Hey if you wire that plug with some 18 ga zip cord will it make it a fusible link???

 

You have to use building wire if it is going to be in the walls. Welding machines are an exception for running 2 outlets on a dedicated circuit since it is assumed you wont be running them at the same time. You are allowed to wirenut number 8 so you could use a junction box. If you put the wall up do you need the original recept anymore? There are several particulars to wiring welders depending on models. Some use a 6-50-P plug but are limited to a 20A breaker, some are allow smaller wire sizes with a 50A. The wire may be derrated according to the duty cycle. Number 8 is plenty for most of them. Just out of curiosity what model machine do you have?

 

Hey I was just kidding about the fusible link...

 

Torque-

Don't laugh too much- some electricians around where I work use their fingers to test for 120v.

Never heard of them testing 220 though.

 

Its a Millermatic 250. Calls for 42amp input. I will still use the other outlet on occassion as I'm sure I will need it doing panel replacement and such. I used 6ga for the original outlet because it is 65-70ft from the box (walls up over the ceiling). Always went with the idea to upsize on anything over 50ft, especially for high draw items like welders. I'm just looking for a way to not have to buy a box plus 2 more breakers. Trying to keep expenses down...wife already yelled about the wall she didnt know about I like the plug idea except running another 40-50ft to the new outlet. I'll price it both ways but that will be by far the cheapest route. Thanks guys!

 

Hey Eric ! thats enough with the busting my chops

I was only trying to help!!!!!!!

I tested a 220 volts one time ! never again !!

Stryder ,for the length of run you have and if the wire is exposed anywhere you need conduit ,except where you use the short double plug at one end.



Rich

 

I'm not an electrician...

However, when I added two bedrooms to my house, my electrician created room in my breaker box by replacing two older breakers with a new breaker that has two circuits in the space of one. Depending on your existing breakers, you might be able to create some space in your box using these types of breakers.

Daniel

 

Depends on your panel brand and panel. Some are designed to accept tandem breakers and some not. It may be listed on the door of it. What brand and model is your panel? Is it a main breaker or main lug?

 

Why not make yourself a 50 foot extension cord for the welder? 50 feet of 6/2 type SO or SOW cable isn't cheap, but it gives you 50 feet of range in any direction. I made a 40 foot cord (I got a good deal on 10/2 but my machine only draws 20 amps) & often use it to roll the machine out on the driveway.

Cheers,
Eric

 

you need to run #6 wire, atleast you do if you have a 50AMP breaker in NY. You can get another 100 amp 6 space pannel for like $20 at lowes, i work in the electrical dept there. doa 2 breaker set up, then if you expand to 2 welders you will already be set to go. Also you will have a few more spaces if you decide to put in a circuit for something else.