Wiring Plasma Welder

[PlasmaPly]

I didn't know where to post this question since I'm new to this forum... if it's in the wrong place, just call me lost.

Anyway, I have a one of those Russian designed MultiPlaz Plasma welder/cutter units and want to plug it into an unused 220VAC dryer outlet. The Welder only draws 16Amps (max load) and the circuit is wired for 30A so I'm good there.

The welder is a 3-wire device (no neutral required) and the outlet is a dual angle, 3-wire thing... probably hot-neutral-hot.

My question is:
Can I just wire what I presume is the neutral leg of the outlet to the ground wire on the welder plug? The welder also has a chassis ground lug if that's of any help.

I'm more concerned about not damaging the welder than I am about personal safety/code.

Thanks

[forhire]

Originally Posted by PlasmaPly

I didn't know where to post this question since I'm new to this forum... if it's in the wrong place, just call me lost.

Anyway, I have a one of those Russian designed MultiPlaz Plasma welder/cutter units and want to plug it into an unused 220VAC dryer outlet. The Welder only draws 16Amps (max load) and the circuit is wired for 30A so I'm good there.

The welder is a 3-wire device (no neutral required) and the outlet is a dual angle, 3-wire thing... probably hot-neutral-hot.

My question is:
Can I just wire what I presume is the neutral leg of the outlet to the ground wire on the welder plug? The welder also has a chassis ground lug if that's of any help.

I'm more concerned about not damaging the welder than I am about personal safety/code.

Thanks

Do you have the 110V version or the 220V version? It might be duel voltage but you need to check the name plate, the manual is a little vague.

http://www.multiplaz.cn/usa/instruct...123&newstype=1
This is from the manual:
Caution!
Replacement of a plug should be made only by authorized personnel observing the following requirements:
- The plug and the socket should be rated for a working current not less than 20A for standard voltages of 100, 110, 120 V and 16A for standard voltages of 208, 220, 230, 240 V.
- When connecting wire, observe the following conformity between contacts of the plug and cable wires:
- Black (brown) for phase contact
- White (blue or dark blue) for neutral contact
- Yellow (green or yellow-green) for ground contact

One of the differences is Russia, like most 50 Hz countries, is 240V to neutral. In the US were normally 120V to neutral. You need to clarify the 240V hookup of your machine with the vendor before you hook it up. I would expect for 240V operation it's like your thinking, one hot leg would go to black, the other hot leg to white, and the ground to yellow. hot-hot-ground. You wouldn't connect the neutral from the dryer outlet. The ground lug on the outside is an auxiliary ground lug... a lot of the 50 Hz world still has ungrounded outlets and the machine would be bonded separately in that case.

If your dryer outlet 3 prong (old) or 4 prong? In the case of the three prong, you have hot-hot-ground. In the case of the four prong you have hot-hot-neutral-ground. While neutral is bonded to ground at the panel they are not the same thing. You simply wouldn't connect anything to the neutral.