220 volt plug in problem

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FIRE!!! Do not just change the plug. Check what the amp draw is on the welder. If it's 40 or 50 amps check what gauge wiring is going to the plug. You may need to rewire it.
 
Rapid Robert said:
went to plug in the 220 volt welder to the wall socket & the 2 flat tangs on the plug in are turned 1/4 turn so it would not plug into the wall socket. WTF! I was not expecting this, is their an adapter for this? thank you for your time. RR
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Hi Robert NO!. They are NEMA plugs sized to the current draw of the welder. You can put a lower amp draw on a higher rated circuit by changing the outlet. You can't put a higher draw on a lower rated circuit. EG you can a 30 amp plug/ matching outlet on a 50 amp circuit but not the other way around. It will require a larger breaker and wire size if that is the case. Send a picture and I will tell you what size the welder plug is and then you can compare to the breaker. If in doubt get a licensed electrician - that way you have someone to sue if it catches fire and burns something down. Thanks
 
PoormanMopar said:
Hi Robert NO!. They are NEMA plugs sized to the current draw of the welder. You can put a lower amp draw on a higher rated circuit by changing the outlet. You can't put a higher draw on a lower rated circuit. EG you can a 30 amp plug/ matching outlet on a 50 amp circuit but not the other way around. It will require a larger breaker and wire size if that is the case. Send a picture and I will tell you what size the welder plug is and then you can compare to the breaker. If in doubt get a licensed electrician - that way you have someone to sue if it catches fire and burns something down. Thanks
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He's been informed already, He's attempting to upload pics, so far unsuccessfully. At least 2 Members including Myself have posted NEMA plug/receptacle ID panels, He hasn't figured out/stated if His is a 15A or 30A 240v plug yet, so We are waiting.
@Rapid Robert , the diff. in plug dimension is .5" for the 15A blades to ground pin, .8" for the 30A.
Someone posted You're protecting the wiring/receptacle in the house, no,......You're protecting EVERYTHING. If the device/appliance cord is only good for 20A, that needs protected with a 20A breaker no matter what the house wiring is capable of. If the cord/unit suffers an overload/partial short, it will over heat &/or catch fire.
It's simple, the Home receptacle & wiring must equal or exceed the device/equipment/appliance, & the breaker should NOT exceed the rating of the d/e/a.
 
I am VERY appreciative of the COMPREHENSIVE advice that you have offered me on this dilemma!. I cannot get the pics to upload so I will "Keep It Simple Sam" & not do ANY splicing. Now buried in the back of his shop I just found another welder, a larger one with a brown bottle which has the correct plugin which several years ago iirc had been used to weld panels on another stock car now that I think about it. If I can get access to it I will let my welder have at it. thanks again guys! RR
 
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