Can I plug a 120v 20 amp arc welder into 250v 20 socket?

[Saberstorm]

I am new to arc welding. I have a welder with a 120v 20 amp plug, but my house only has a 250v 20amp socket. Can I run my welder off that socket as is? The arc welder's plug fits that wall socket, I tried it, but it I DID NOT turn the welder on. Will something bad happen if I hit the switch?

Any advice is useful!

[Thunderrig15]

If your unit IS 120v, DO NOT plug it in to a 240v outlet. You said the plug end of your unit would fit the 240v outlet... Are you sure that your unit is not 240v?

[anickode]

This sounds like a case of either a POS chinese welder that's got the operating voltage mislabeled, or a POS chinese welder that's got the wrong plug stuck on it. Any chance you can confirm either way? Perhaps provide a picture of the unit, and a closeup of both the plug and the aforementioned 240v outlet?

If it's a 240v welder, you're fine.

If it's truly a 120v welder, sure you still can... if you like fire and death.

Technically... with a plain old transformer based arc welder, it would work. A transformer will do its thing regardless of the voltage. That said, by doubling the primary voltage, you'll be doubling your secondary voltage, which will make your stinger live with more than enough voltage to sizzle you, and you'd probably burn down your house, or garage, not to mention yourself.

If it's an inverter based welder, it'll fry.

[mechanic416]

If you like the fireworks on July 4th then turn it on

[Fat Bastard]

Make sure you get the video going when you flip the switch. you could make it to the next ...

http://weldingweb.com/vbb/showthread.php?t=145531

[tnjind]

I am new to arc welding. I have a welder with a 120v 20 amp plug, but my house only has a 250v 20amp socket. Can I run my welder off that socket as is? The arc welder's plug fits that wall socket, I tried it, but it I DID NOT turn the welder on. Will something bad happen if I hit the switch?

Any advice is useful!

You house only has a 250v 20amp socket?? With no location we have no idea what part of the world you are in.

[soutthpaw]

Not sure what country you are in, in the usa each leg is 110vac so only one leg and neutral it will technically work but not safe with no ground.
I know in uk each leg is 240 so it will instantly fry..

[tnjind]

A standard 3 wire 220v plug is 2 legs 120v each and a ground. No neutral.

[ccawgc]

To answer your question, we need to know the make and model of the welder.
A picture of the data plate might help. If you are in USA. A 115 volt plug should not go in a 240 volt receptacle unless it has been bent. A 20 amp flat blade plug has one blade turned 90 degrees. The 115 volt and 240 volt versions are mirror opposites so you can't plug them in wrong. Read the owners manual. welders come in single voltage, adjustable voltage, auto link and auto line. Connecting a low voltage welder to a higher voltage will most likely cause it to burn up.

[JackLegg]

Pretty sure what he is talking about is the volt (250) and amp(20) rating of the device itself.Just like a 220v nema 50 receptacle is rated at 600 volts capacity.I think

[Seafarer12]

You never know it could be a 240 volt 20 amp socket. You use to have them in houses all the time when all you had was window unit a/c's.

[Broccoli1]

he must have turned it on- 1 post and he hasn't returned

[Norcal01]

Not sure what country you are in, in the usa each leg is 110vac so only one leg and neutral it will technically work but not safe with no ground.
I know in uk each leg is 240 so it will instantly fry..

Each leg is 120V on a 240V circuit, in the UK & the rest of the 50 hertz world it is 240V line to neutral, but it has been "harmonized" to 230V.

[OPUS FERRO]

Saberstrom

You can; but you may not.

Consult a local electrical professional.

This is a really simple question, but
all of the parameters must be viewed
in person, by said e/p.

Opus

[Inkydoggy]

I am new to arc welding. I have a welder with a 120v 20 amp plug, but my house only has a 250v 20amp socket. Can I run my welder off that socket as is? The arc welder's plug fits that wall socket, I tried it, but it I DID NOT turn the welder on. Will something bad happen if I hit the switch?

Any advice is useful!

Can you say " I LIKE FIREWORKS AND LOTS OF SMOKE REAL FAST???"

Lets just say the water melon in the video is your welder!

[ame]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gj1pkyCL75E[/ame]

[Oldendum]

You suppose they could sell that capacitor bank to Gallagher?

[CosmicRambler]

Old thread but I think a number of folks missed the solution for something like this.

I suspect he actually has a 110VAC receptacle of some breed that is why the plug fits. Maybe he is seeing 250V rating markings on it, getting confused.

Simple solution would be just read the voltage with a meter. If only 110V out then good to go. Plus the power wire coming in should give you a clue.

When in doubt, never believe what you think the power plug is telling you, always believe the meter. If you don't really understand that sparky stuff, get somebody that does.

[Mondo]

Make sure you get the video going when you flip the switch. you could make it to the next ...

http://weldingweb.com/vbb/showthread.php?t=145531

Waaa! The video is no longer available because theYouTube account has been terminated!

- Mondo

[Sandy]

Waaa! The video is no longer available because theYouTube account has been terminated!

- Mondo

Removed out of respect for the deceased maybe.

[beefire9]

I'm ashamed to say - I did this. However, I knew and understood the difference between 120 and 240 voltages, and I just did not read the label on my machine. I incorrectly remembered that it came with an adapter plug from 240 on the wall to the 120 machine plug (which was not the case.) Figuring that I needed the extra voltage to get the higher amps out of the machine, I did the handy thing and built a plug. I turned the machine on, plugged the machine into the adapter and then the adapter into my 240 outlet. The machine ran for about a minute, I did not get a shock when I touched it to test, then it died. For good. No fireworks, smoke and sparks, or fried fat guy. Just a poor little welder that is now scrap.

[Hobbytime]

I am new to arc welding. I have a welder with a 120v 20 amp plug, but my house only has a 250v 20amp socket. Can I run my welder off that socket as is? The arc welder's plug fits that wall socket, I tried it, but it I DID NOT turn the welder on. Will something bad happen if I hit the switch?

Any advice is useful!

read the instructions...................................... ....or is that too obvious ????

[Hobbytime]

I'm ashamed to say - I did this. However, I knew and understood the difference between 120 and 240 voltages, and I just did not read the label on my machine. I incorrectly remembered that it came with an adapter plug from 240 on the wall to the 120 machine plug (which was not the case.) Figuring that I needed the extra voltage to get the higher amps out of the machine, I did the handy thing and built a plug. I turned the machine on, plugged the machine into the adapter and then the adapter into my 240 outlet. The machine ran for about a minute, I did not get a shock when I touched it to test, then it died. For good. No fireworks, smoke and sparks, or fried fat guy. Just a poor little welder that is now scrap.

once again why read the instructions that come with tools, just use them to line the bird cage.........darwin at work...

[Bistineau]

he must have turned it on- 1 post and he hasn't returned

You're probably right, as he still hasn't returned since that fateful day back in 2012 when he first posted this question and did not wait for any answers on it. Went and turned himself in to a Crispy Critter.