hook up a 50 amp plug welder to a 30 amp recepticle

[oldtimewelder]

Hi
I have a Tweco Fabricator 181i welder
I am using the power cord that came with it…A NEMA 6-50 AC plug and a 50 Amp breaker (240 volts)

What harm would I do to the welder if I plug it into a 30 Amp breaker for a few short bracket welds…1/8>> 6010 or 3/32 >>7018
The connection is normally used to hook up a portable generator if/when the power goes out. which is not on site

If there is no harm, I going to buy a 30 Amp Locking Male Plug to 14-50 50 Amp Standard Female Receptacle Generator Adapter

mike

[Broccoli1]

No harm.

That machine will run just fine on a 30amp circuit.

the problem is the adapter you mentioned will not work as the 14-50 is different than the 6-50.

[Broccoli1]

You need one of these

https://www.amazon.com/MPI-Tools-L14...s%2C238&sr=8-7


assuming the 30amp receptacle on the generator is an L14-30 twistlock

[rexcormack]

You need one of these

https://www.amazon.com/MPI-Tools-L14...s%2C238&sr=8-7


assuming the 30amp receptacle on the generator is an L14-30 twistlock

Actually I think he is going to need one of these because it sounds like he is plugging it into the building side not the generator side.

https://www.grainger.com/product/49Y...9F1R6:20501231

[Broccoli1]

The wall side would not be able to provide power if the generator connection is installed correctly.


I assumed they used an existing L14-30R in the wall and then are back feeding it using a deadman cord.

Normal generator connection at house is Male and accepts incoming power from the generator.

[oldtimewelder]

thanks for the feed back
I'm glad you pointed out about the "14-50 is different than the 6-50", Broccoli1. You saved me an extra trip to the store to return the wrong one and get the right one
Actually, rexcormack, I'll be plugging it into a receptacle on the outside of a home.
Thanks again and happy thanksgiving

mike

I just saw the other posts sorry
I'm only concerned if the welder would be damaged. I'll have to look to see if the connection on the house is male or female. I've made pigtails before but nothing this big(amperage). I have a brother-in-law that will make sure i do it correct!!!!
I bought the welder a few years ago to teach my son to weld. We put in a proper outlet on his house. When he moved, he hasn't got around to do it in the new house, but there is a hook up for a generator.He bought a trailer and wants to add some D hooks to the frame

[wb4rt]

The wall side would not be able to provide power if the generator connection is installed correctly.


I assumed they used an existing L14-30R in the wall and then are back feeding it using a deadman cord.



Normal generator connection at house is Male and accepts incoming power from the generator.

I agree with Ed - assuming a transfer switch is being used, as it should, there should not be any power to that receptacle. If it is wired directly to the panel there is a risk to linemen working upstream during a power outage. Perhaps he has a cutoff switch he uses during power outage but that would be against code due to risk of forgetting to isolate panel.

[oldtimewelder]

yes absolutely..It has a transfer switch. The generator receptacle will not work without the transfer switch engaged
mike

[Kelvin]

[oldtimewelder]

Hey Kelvin,
How did you get into my basement and take a picture without me knowing?

mike

[Broccoli1]

Hey Kelvin,
How did you get into my basement and take a picture without me knowing?

mike

Speaking of pictures- we do really need to see the receptacle set up

[danielplace]

The wall side would not be able to provide power if the generator connection is installed correctly.


I assumed they used an existing L14-30R in the wall and then are back feeding it using a deadman cord.

Normal generator connection at house is Male and accepts incoming power from the generator.

I agree with Ed - assuming a transfer switch is being used, as it should, there should not be any power to that receptacle. If it is wired directly to the panel there is a risk to linemen working upstream during a power outage. Perhaps he has a cutoff switch he uses during power outage but that would be against code due to risk of forgetting to isolate panel.

Actually every breaker in that panel is a transfer switch. They are double pole double throw and you switch the loads to GEN individually and manually on those.
No position will connect the GEN outlet to the utility power. You have the load and you have utility power one way off in middle and GEN in othere position. They are switches. The round things are the overcurrent protection breakers.

I do not think the OP has that. Maybe he has one twist lock outlet wired into gen set side of a standard transfer switch.

yes absolutely..It has a transfer switch. The generator receptacle will not work without the transfer switch engaged
mike

Well maybe just a breaker or breaker/lockout because no transfer switch will energize the generator outlet.
It connects generator outlet to the panel and removes the utility power if it is a transfer switch so if you switched it everything would be dead except utility lines into transfer but they would go nowhere.

If you have a twist lock fed off a breaker it would need a breaker lockout so it cannot be turned on while the MAIN is on. Without that it is dangerous and illegal but does work and is safe if qualified people are operating the system. Not a good way to do it for sure.

A breaker on a outlet doesn't make the breaker a transfer switch. If it is a transfer switching it will no make the GEN outlet hot but rather connect the outlet to the panel and remove the utility completely.

It will not hurt the machine running it on 30 amps just limits the top end.

[walker]

Hey Kelvin,
How did you get into my basement and take a picture without me knowing?

mike

Apparently he spent enough time to make a sketch!

[oldtimewelder]

Hi danielplace
You are absolutely right. I was way off in my thinking
The outlet is there to power some of the house incase of a power failure. There is no way to use the power from the pole by going thru the transfer switch.
I'll have to bring over my generator. My main concern was not hurting the welder.
No body ever said I was a genius.
at least I won't look foolish in front of my son...this time anyway

Have a happy thanksgiving all


mike