210v plug/setup noob questions?

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ok im not new to welding but have never had a welder at home.  im looking at getting a 210v mig unit, something to make exhaust repairs on my truck, fab a bumper, etc etc.  trouble is, i have this style plug at the walland the lincoln unit i am looking at has this style plug(ignore the 115v):can i change the plug style on the welding box?  is there some sort of splitter that has both styles that i can plug my 4prong dryer plug into it and then the dryer and welder into ech one's respective plug style?
Reply:so i randomly happened upon this on googlehttp://images.google.com/imgres?imgu...LyD4OyNuDRkecIis it a safe set up you think?
Reply:The only thing I see wrong with that setup is it being solid wire. This stuff is going to be stiff. It is intended for in-wall wiring. I would recommend 10/3 stranded for this project. I am having to rewire an older Miller Thunderbolt and have found a source or 10/3 stranded for $1.08/ft. Just call the electrical suppliers in your area. They will be openly willing to help you (atleast if they k ow what customer service is they will be).
Reply:Here's the link to the 220v extension cord thread. The only difference is that you would use the 30 amp male dryer plug instead of the 50 amp male plug to match the dryer.http://weldingweb.com/vbb/showthread.php...220v+extensionTheres a ton of threads on doing what you plan to do. As said use stranded wire rather than the solid to make the cord..No government ever voluntarily reduces itself in size. Government programs, once launched, never disappear. Actually, a government bureau is the nearest thing to eternal life we'll ever see on this earth! Ronald Reagan
Reply:You can get 10/3 SO cord at Home Depot by the foot for not a whole lotta money.The first plug appears to be a NEMA 6-30P and the second one appears to be a NEMA 6-50P.  Both are common plugs available at Home Depot.MM350P/Python/Q300MM175/Q300DialarcHFHTP MIG200PowCon300SMHypertherm380ThermalArc185Purox oaF350CrewCab4x4LoadNGo utilitybedBobcat250XMT304/Optima/SpoolmaticSuitcase12RC/Q300Suitcase8RC/Q400Passport/Q300Smith op
Reply:the first plug you show is rated for 125/250 volt 30 amp. That is for 2 hots and a neutral. the second (large) plug is 250 volt 50 amp. that is 2 hots and a groundso, where does the 4 prong dryer dryer plug come into play? A 4 wire dryer connection is 2 hots, a neutral, and a ground.depending on the power requirements of the welder, you may not be able to utilize the welder to it's fullest use. Since the plug you have at home is a 30 amp dryer recep, it is most likely wired with #10 wire and connected to a 30 amp breaker. You cannot install a larger breaker on that wire (as long as it is used for a dryer as well) so the circuit has to remain limited to a 30 amp circuit.If your welder requires more than that, it will simply overload the breaker and it will trip. It is not advised to do this continually to a breaker. They do weaken with over use and may eventually not hold even for the 30 amp circuit. is there some sort of splitter that has both styles that i can plug my 4prong dryer plug into it and then the dryer and welder into ech one's respective plug style?
Reply:The only difference between the prong and 3 prong 240V outlets is the 4 prong version includes the neutral line.  So, the 4 prong outlet can be used as two 120V circuits (hot-neutral is 120V) and can also be used as a single 240V circuit (same as the 3 prong version).  Using it this way might not be code compliant, but it is safe.  In other words, the 4 prong 240V socket is a superset of the 3 prong version.  When installing such circuits, I always put in 4 conductors even if only 3 will be used since it makes it so much more versatile for future use.  Going the other way (from a 3 prong 240V to a 4 prong 240V) is a bad idea and not safe though.  While it will work because the ground and neutral lines are usually bonded together in the main breaker box, using the ground for a neutral is not advisable.Last edited by Zac; 01-01-2010 at 07:33 PM.
Reply:Here are charts of all the NEMA hardware. You can mix and match just about anything.http://images.google.com/images?clie...ed=0CCIQsAQwAw
Reply:Originally Posted by transitHere are charts of all the NEMA hardware. You can mix and match just about anything.http://images.google.com/images?clie...ed=0CCIQsAQwAw
Reply:Originally Posted by magoojust not legallyso, why is it not advisable? There is actually no difference between 2 hots and a neut and 2 hots and a ground if there is nothing else on the circuit (which there shouldn't be) and the circuit runs directly to the main service  panel?and neutral and ground usually bonded in the panel? Unless it is a sub-panel, they are required to be bonded.
Reply:Originally Posted by ZacThe only difference between the prong and 3 prong 240V outlets is the 4 prong version includes the neutral line.
Reply:Originally Posted by Norcal01Wrong, the 3-wire dryer receptacle is 2 hots & a neutral, not grounding. Look at the face of a 3-wire dryer receptacle and it will be marked as 30 amperes 125/250 volts, if the 3rd conductor was a grounding conductor it would say: 30 amperes 250 volts.
Reply:Prior to the 1996 NEC it was permitted to ground the frames of dryers and ranges to the neutral, it is still permitted in EXISTING installations, a 3-wire range or dryer circuit does not have a equipment grounding conductor, a 4-wire one does.
Reply:so i kept the same style plug as the dryer uses and on the other end of my extension cord i have the standard 230v plug.  but i used 6/3 cable.  i guess i should drop it down to 10/3 to reduce the chance of popping that breaker?  i dont even know if i am going to be able to weld here as we can rarely run a vacuum and hair dryer at the same time on the 115v circuit hahahahaha
Reply:The heavier wire will have no effect on the breaker. The machine will draw the amps that cause the breaker to trip. As long as the wire is at least heavy enough for the breaker you are good. Heavier wire cuts down on voltage drop over long distances, it's why most small 110v machines list heavier gauge extension cords as you go longer. The problem comes if you use too lite a gauge wire for the breaker. Then the wire can heat up and melt the insulation and cause a fire BEFORE the breaker trips. The breaker protects the wire from melting, not the machine..No government ever voluntarily reduces itself in size. Government programs, once launched, never disappear. Actually, a government bureau is the nearest thing to eternal life we'll ever see on this earth! Ronald Reagan
Reply:Originally Posted by ZacA 4 prong socket has 2 hot leads, a neutral, and a ground while a 3 prong socket has 2 hot leads and a ground.  The 4 prong version can be used both as a 4 prong and as a 3 prong, but using a 3 prong as a 4 prong is not a good idea as it would lack a ground lead.  Assuming the ground and neutral are bonded as they should be, it would still work, but the lack of a ground is not a good idea, particularly when relatively large currents are involved.  When large currents circulate, there will be significant voltage drop (proportional to the current through the wire) in the wiring and that voltage (relative to earth ground) will be present on the equipment chassis if the ground lead is used as the neutral lead.