Work Shop 220v Receptacle?

Deerlope · Dec 27, 2003

I have read this whole thread and read about some good points. When I built my house I also wired it and had it inspected and it passed with flying colors so I feel that I can make a comment here that may be helpful. It is important to remember that the breaker only protects the wire.
Gauge # amps or current
6 ------------------- 50
8 --------------------- 40
10--------------------- 30
12--------------------- 20
14--------------------- 15

missourihick · Dec 27, 2003

All I can add is make sure you put enough plug ins. Theres never the right one where you need it. I've got 10/2 w ground and it runs the welder fine.I've got a 570 amp airco welder on it and the wire is 20 feet long,it'll trip a 60 amp breaker and the wire never even gets warm.

zuiko · Dec 27, 2003

I'd put the outlets in as you have a use for them. It's a pretty simple job and you never know what kind of outlet you will need until you have something to plug into it. In addition to the differerent styles you also have 4 prong and 3 prong variations (with and without ground).

PineRidge · Dec 27, 2003

<font color="blue">All I can add is make sure you put enough plug ins. Theres never the right one where you need it. I've got 10/2 w ground and it runs the welder fine.I've got a 570 amp airco welder on it and the wire is 20 feet long,it'll trip a 60 amp breaker and the wire never even gets warm.
</font>

If I understood you correctly, you have a 60-amp breaker protecting a 30-amp number 10-gauge circuit. That's an accident looking for a place to happen. I would be concerned about my fire insurance if I were you. /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif

Deerlope · Dec 27, 2003

you bet it is an accident waiting to happen, a fire for sure. 60 amp bkr. on 10 gage wire.

Inspector507 · Dec 27, 2003

I have a #10 wire on a 50 Amp breaker. Of course it too is for a welder. Thats what the manufacturer recommends.It meets code for a welder, perfectly safe if thats all you plug in there. And I think I should know /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif . Read NEC® 630 before you scare someone else. There are certain circumstances you can set the overcurrent device as high as 300%.

Deerlope · Dec 27, 2003

It was not my intention to scare anyone. but tell me this how can a 10 gage wire( rated at 30 amps) draw 50 amps for 1 hour without a melt down? I know that the code is different all over the country and I know that you will never get away with that 50 a bkr. on # 10 wire where I live.

PineRidge · Dec 27, 2003

Number 10 wire is suitable for 30 amp circuits. If you want to run more through it than that at you place then it’s your business. But it isn't happening in my pole barn for any length of time.

I meant only to warn, not to scare.

Junkman · Dec 27, 2003

This is a classic example of what I was referring to when I made the post about "profiles". Here we have a Chief Electrical Inspector quoting directly from the National Electrical Code and two others disagreeing with him. I don't believe that either of the two people that are disagreeing have read his post carefully. He says that it is OK according to the code to use #10 gauge wire with a 50 Amp breaker for a welder. I have just looked it up in the code book and that is correct. I am with the Inspector507 on this one. It is based on the theory that "arc welders are considered intermittent." If you want to read it for yourself, it is pages 785 to 788 of the 1999 National Electrical Code book. The NEC is written by the National Fire Protection Association. I believe that they know what they are doing!!!
The National Electric Code is the accepted standard for most of the United States. I believe that Chicago, IL and Los Angles, Ca are the exception. I know that it is used in all of MA & CT which I am familiar with...

PineRidge · Dec 27, 2003

<font color="blue"> I don't believe that either of the two people that are disagreeing have read his post carefully. He says that it is OK according to the code to use #10 gauge wire with a 50 Amp breaker for a welder. </font>

I understand what is being conveyed. But most folks will see that same circuit and say to themselves that if it is OK to use a welder in an overcurrent condition then why can't we plug in our other 220-volt high current tools on the same circuit and get by. Hey the welder worked didn’t it? Sooner or later that 50-amp breaker on a 30-amp circuit catches somebody off guard and there is potential for a fire in that instance. If the welder itself is used exclusively on that one circuit then you have my blessing but if there is a receptacle you know as well as I that a potential exists for an accident down the road. I can just see a new owner looking in a main panel at a 50 amp breaker and thinking that he has a legit 50 amp receptacle to use as he sees fit. But hey these things never happen in real life right? /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif