Can I get a Y-shaped extension cord for my dryer outlet?
April 5, 2011 11:54 AM   Subscribe

Problem: My welder needs 220v power. My dryer is on a 30A 220v circuit but to swap the dryer cord for the welder cord, I need to move the dryer. This is a pain. Can I make or buy an extension cord with two outlets on it so I don't need to swap the plugs?

This does not appear to be available on the internets.

There is no problem with building an adapter to plug the welder into a dryer outlet and instructions for this about. However, I'm hoping to scare up something like this Y adapter extension cord but rated for 220 volts and 30 amps. The welder has a NEMA 6-30/6-50 plug on it right now, but that is simple to change. My ideal configuration would be male dryer plug/female dryer plug/female NEMA 6-30/6-50.

I'm unclear on the best and safest way to wire this together.

The overarching goal is to be able to plug the welder in without unplugging the dryer, so if there's a better solution, please share. Or if there's a premade solution that's great too. DIY is not a requirement. Not burning down the house *is* a requirement.

Some other considerations:

I will not be attempting to run the welder and the dryer at the same time.

I am not going to touch any of the wiring in the house. That's over my head, obviously.

I can hire an electrician if needed, but it's probably cheaper to just replace the welder with a lighter weight model.

Please, if any of my premises are flawed don't hesitate to challenge them. I just want to get the welder plugged in.
posted by stet to Home & Garden (11 answers total)
 
Best answer: Do it up. Make sure that your extension and adapter are rated for the amperage you want to flow and get to it. My roommate and I did almost the same thing, except we just disconnected an old stove at the breaker box and hardwired in the TIG. Noone has died yet.

But really, extension cord impedance/amperage rating is your largest concern.
posted by thebigdeadwaltz at 12:03 PM on April 5, 2011


You could always rent or buy a portable generator.
posted by rich at 12:04 PM on April 5, 2011


Best answer: You can absolutely do this buy buying the properly rated cord and 1 male and 2 female plugs. Literally just connect both leads out of the female ends together in the male end.
posted by Uncle at 12:14 PM on April 5, 2011


Response by poster: Firing up my generator is a bigger pain than moving the dryer, unfortunately.

tbdw, is there any trick to splicing the extension together?

On preview, thanks Uncle. That is so gobsmackingly obvious it should really have been the first thing that occurred to me. For some reason I assumed that I'd need to braid the copper from the two wires together. Durr.
posted by stet at 12:18 PM on April 5, 2011


Best answer: You want to make a twofer. But with the proper connectors and cabe rated for the load. Easy peasy.
posted by mollymayhem at 12:20 PM on April 5, 2011


Best answer: These guys have nice changeover switches so you'll never risk trying to run both at the same time. They even have spiffy enclosures.
posted by Confess, Fletch at 12:51 PM on April 5, 2011 [1 favorite]


That is the coolest thing ever, Confess, Fletch (or at least the coolest thing I've seen today). I need a threefer (dryer, table saw, 48 X 6 belt sander), and this just may get me off my butt and get it done.
posted by mosk at 1:04 PM on April 5, 2011


Isn't 220v 3-phase?
posted by Chocolate Pickle at 2:01 PM on April 5, 2011


mosk, in that case you need a multi-step cam switch.

Chocolate Pickle, no, household 220V is two phase.

yes, I do this for a living, why do you ask?
posted by Confess, Fletch at 2:54 PM on April 5, 2011


Best answer: "There is no problem with building an adapter to plug the welder into a dryer outlet and instructions for this about. However, I'm hoping to scare up something like this Y adapter extension cord but rated for 220 volts and 30 amps. The welder has a NEMA 6-30/6-50 plug on it right now, but that is simple to change. My ideal configuration would be male dryer plug/female dryer plug/female NEMA 6-30/6-50. "

You probably won't find one because this kind of cheater cord is probably illegal in the US and for certain is illegal under Canadian code. The reason is that two loads (IE: your dryer and welder) that combined would draw more than your wiring can handle even though they would be fine if operated separately need to be automatically interlocked such that there is no way for both loads to operate at the same time. (I know you trust yourself but code doesn't trust anyone).

I know you're essentially asking for a 30A power strip similair to the 15A one found behind every computer and tv in the nation but the rules are different for 15A branch circuits.

"The overarching goal is to be able to plug the welder in without unplugging the dryer, so if there's a better solution, please share. Or if there's a premade solution that's great too. DIY is not a requirement. Not burning down the house *is* a requirement. "

The good news is that the interlock can be a simple double pole switch or contactor. An electrician could mount another box close to your dryer but accessible that contained an additional plug and the interlock in about an hour and for somewhere around ~100-200 dollars in materials.

To DIY all you need is a double pole double throw switch rated for 30A at 240V. A box large enough to mount that switch in and bring two pieces of 10/3 wire into. And you'll need a 4 11/16 box and dryer receptacle. The big switch is the expensive part. Note though that because you will never be throwing the switch while the dryer or welder is running you don't need horsepower rated contacts which will save you a lot of money.

Confess, Fletch writes "Chocolate Pickle, no, household 220V is two phase. "

In the US/Canada 220V is usuallyalmost always single phase with a grounded neutral in residences. It's possible for it to be a two phase tap off a three phase circuit but that is extremely uncommon is residences. Say 100,000:1 chance. You need a two pole switch with a double throw. mosk would need a two pole triple throw. When you wire these up you only switch the two hot legs (usually black and red) not the neutral or bond/ground, white and bare/green respectively.
posted by Mitheral at 6:42 PM on April 5, 2011


Response by poster: My assumption was that a lockout/tagout kind of setup would not be necessary because, if I were to try and run the dryer and the welder off the same circuit at the same time, the circuit breaker would blow. I most assuredly do not trust myself and I trust code very much.

My other assumption was that I could use my brain as an interlock because one rarely forgets that an arc welder is running and that code is designed to cover for the stupid shit people like me do.

More googling! Hooray! I expect I'm going to end up scrapping the whole idea and buying an oxy-propane torch instead.
posted by stet at 10:57 PM on April 5, 2011


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