10 ga wiring question

   / 10 ga wiring question #1  

Professor Marvel

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I will try to accurately express my question.
I have a 4 (red, white, black, ground)wire connection to a 30 amp breaker to tie my generator to my house. Weatherproof outside box designed for a generator connection.
I recently bought a Hobart mvp 210 welder which is a 120/240 v welder. It tells me in the manual that for the 220 side I only need 14ga wire but I want to use 10 ga. This question is only about the 220 side.
I would like to use this same connection to power my welder. The welder has a 3 wire connection.
I want to make an extension/transition cord from 10 ga wire with 3 wires (white, black, g) (ok I am using 10/2 romex) to connect my welder to my circuit.
My question is --- what do I do with the ground connection I have at the weatherproof box at the house since I only have 3 wires? Tie nothing to it or jump it to the lug that would have been common?
Basically I have a 3 lug (prong)plug at the welder end and a 4 lug (prong) at the supply end with romex with 3 wires in it and I want it to be safe. I already assume I should probably not make an extension cord from romex buy it is my cheapest choice.
 
   / 10 ga wiring question #2  
I assume you are going to plug the welder into the existing 4 prong receptacle for the generator. If so, you only need to hook up the three 10 ga. wires in your 4 wire male plug. Two hot wires and a ground. Leave the 4 terminal blank.
 
   / 10 ga wiring question
  • Thread Starter
#3  
Thank you that is what I wanted to know.
 
   / 10 ga wiring question #4  
the fourth wire is a bond wire same electrically as a ground basically a safety feature if ground was to broken
 
   / 10 ga wiring question #5  
is this "generator box" a proper transfer switchbox? Or is it a rag-tag mish-mash jack-leg "electrician" backfeed box ?

If proper, it won't work since the transfer switch disconnects it when utility power is present.
 
   / 10 ga wiring question
  • Thread Starter
#6  
It came with the generator but it has no transfer switch capabilities. I believe it is called a 30 Amp power inlet box. It is just a weatherproof box with a 30 amp plug in connection. I have to kill the main breaker myself before I use it with the generator.
 
   / 10 ga wiring question #7  
Unless I'm missing something, you intend to use 10/2 romex for a 220 v circuit. You can't do that. You would need 10/3. You can't use the bare wire in the 10/2 as the common. Granted, it isn't the current carrier in a 220 circuit, but that isn't what it's for. Use 10/3 wire.

Also, you may already have the romex and I will admit to using romex for a quick extension cord, but if you intend to use this much, buy a length of SOOW or SJOOW wire and fab up the extension cord. I will be much easier to use and will actually be designed for extension cord use. You can find various lengths on ebay at reasonable prices.
 
   / 10 ga wiring question
  • Thread Starter
#8  
If I find myself using it much I will certainly switch to an SJ type of cord
just want to get by safely for now
the wire called for by the Hobart manual is 14/2 from the breaker box to the outlet. The plug on the welder only has 3 lugs.
Apparently this is a smaller mig with low amperage requirements.
Romex is a PIA wire to use as an extension cord because it is too rigid.
 
   / 10 ga wiring question #9  
Professor;

You're smart to up size the wire size on the breaker to the outlet. 14 gauge wire is generally used in 15 amp circuits. I'm betting that the welder needs more than 15 amp input. Good luck.

SimS
 
   / 10 ga wiring question
  • Thread Starter
#10  
It's kinda funny.
The welder manual calls for 14ga (for 220v use), the 220v plug that comes with the welder has a 50 amp configuration (I think so that it will plug into a normal buzz box outlet) and I want to use 10ga. I feel odd about the inconsistency of the components.
 
 
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