Any Electricians??
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Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 1,493
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From: SE Iowa
Any Electricians??
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
Stryder
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Post Fiend
Joined: Jan 2002
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From: USA
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
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
Tuned
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 483
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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?
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Thread Starter
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Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Jul 2000
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From: SE Iowa
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!
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!
Last edited by stryder; Dec 2, 2003 at 04:03 PM.
Post Fiend
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 5,859
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From: USA
Originally posted by Torque1st
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?
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?
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
Last edited by FortyFords; Dec 2, 2003 at 10:50 PM.
Cross-Country
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 91
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From: Greenville, SC
Re: Any Electricians??
Originally posted by stryder
[...] I dont have room for a second breaker. [...]
[...] I dont have room for a second breaker. [...]
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
Elder User
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 586
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From: Tottenham Ontario Canada
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
Cheers,
Eric
New User
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 20
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From: In the center of NY
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.