O.T. electrical

plow hand · Sep 1, 2014

I'm considering putting electrical heat in my garage... using a 220 volt heater..what size wire would I need..Next question My welder is 220 volts with the big plug in..Is there a reducer to take it down to the standard 220 plug in ..thanks in advance..

David G · Sep 1, 2014

You need to pick a heater, it should list the appropriate breaker size, if not, tell us the wattage and we will help.

It will probably be 20 amp dual pole or less.

red bearing · Sep 1, 2014

26.1 amps 5000 watt...I'm considering a portable heater that is why I'm asking about the welder plug in..thanks

buickanddeere · Sep 1, 2014

A 30 amp receptacle for the heater and a 50 amp receptacle for the welder.
10/2 and 8/2 wire.

David G · Sep 1, 2014

I calculated 21 amps @240 volts, would go with a 30 amp breaker.

I do not know if the device has internal protection or not. The breaker protects the wiring, if you downsize the wire to #10 to go to the heater, then a 60A does not protect that. I would put in another breaker. You are fine if welding outlet has 30A breaker.

wisbaker · Sep 1, 2014

The problem with putting a "reducer" on your welder plug is that big old plug has big old wires and a big old breaker (or fuse) on it. If you plug a dinky little adapter into it your protection (fuse/breaker) is to heavy for the lower amperage device so it could overheat, catch on fire and burn your garage down and your breaker wouldn't do anything to prevent this. To do it safely you'll need to run a separate circuit with the properly sized breaker or fuse for you heater. And how big/small would that be? Need to know about the heater first how many amps does it pull?

Geo-TH,In · Sep 1, 2014

You can make anything. Is it going to work? YES. Is it safe to do? NO.

What size heater? How many amps? I have a large overhead properly wired electric heater that needs a 50 amp breaker.

You really need to give more info.

2underage · Sep 1, 2014

That would be a double 30 amp breaker. 30 amps on each wire.10 gauge wire should do it. Forget the welder outlet, I would just get a clothes dryer outlet and the dryer plug end. Better to have a separate breaker for the heater. Just my thoughts.

MarkB_MI · Sep 1, 2014

Most low-end welders have a 50 amp plug, but that doesn't mean yours requires 50 amps. Check the data plate on your welder to see what the maximum current draw is, and go from there. If it's only 30 amps, there's no reason you can't plug it into a 30 amp outlet with the proper adapter.

I don't know what you call a "standard 220 plug", because there's no such thing. Different receptacles are rated for different current, with 15, 20, 30 and 50 amp being common. Also, there are both 3 and 4 wire versions of each, depending on whether you need a neutral or not. But in answer to your question "is there are reducer?", the answer is no if you're looking for an off-the shelf adapter. But everything you need to build one is at your local hardware store: plug, outlet, cable and a box in which to install the outlet. You can even make an extension cord for your welder, just make sure the cable is heavy enough for the distance it has to run.

Wile E · Sep 1, 2014

Ummm......How many amps for the heater?

10 gauge is 30 amp capacity

12 gauge is 20 amp

8 gauge is 45 I think

6 gauge is 55 I think.

If I was U I would look it up in an NEC reference book.

David G · Sep 2, 2014

I would agree, just easier to add another circuit

O.T. electrical

plow hand

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David G

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red bearing

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buickanddeere

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David G

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wisbaker

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Geo-TH,In

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2underage

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MarkB_MI

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Wile E

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David G

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