220 VAC extension cord

One option is an extension cord off the dryer. Its against an exterioir wall so routing is not an issue. I'd want about 100' extension cord. Is this a dumb idea? I run a 25' 220VAC extension off the generator at the moment.

What gauge wire would be recommened if this is an option? I have a 3hp planer that draws 25+ amps if I remember correctly that I'd like to run as well. The welders are a miller thunderbolt and an old LINDE mig welder.

Thanks

Thanks

Scott

First of all, being 240 Volts is not the problem, its that I seriously doubt (not knowing all your tools n welders amp requirements) a 30 amp dryer receptacle (my guess what you have) can provide the necessary amps without overoading it and increasing its rating which causes heat (until the thermal portion of a thermal magnetic circuit breaker tripped out) plus a 100 foot run can cause voltage drop unless the conductors are over sized accordingly. If its a 30 amp dryer branch circuit, it should have 10 gauge wire feeding it protected by a 30 amp 2 pole 240 volt circuit breaker inside your main panelboard. Such a branch circuit is not intended to supply any "continuous" loads of more then 24 amps.

Sooooo ooo even if there was no dryer attached to it, you shoudnt be using it for continuous loads of the tool sizes youre talking about PLUS for a 100 foot run, the conductors should be oversized to reduce voltage drop. DRYER RECEPTACLE SOUNDS LIKE A BAD IDEA TO ME unless its used for temporary non continuous duty with amp loads much lighter then you mentioned to account for voltage drop.

Theres a chance (again not knowing the loads) perhaps like a 50 amp electric range branch circuit has the ampacity to power your tools at 220 volts, but Im NOT suggesting you simply tap off any kitchen 50 amp range circuits either.

WHAT YOU NEED is a dedicated circuit ran to a convenient location for your tool use that is served by a circuit breaker inside your main service entrance panelboard PROVIDED it has the space and ampacity to mount a 2 pole 240 volt breaker of sufficient amperage.

ALSO If I were gonna run a remote branch circuit for tool or other use, I would suggest it be for BOTH 120 and 240 volts, meaning you would need to use 4 conductor wiring, being: 2 hot phase wires (red n black),,,,, a Neutral (white grounded conductor),,,,,and an equipment grounding conductor (usually green or bare). Such could be UF type cable rated for direct burial or THWN conductors ran inside conduit or even aerial. Then at the remote location you could install a load center or small sub panel to serve the circuits for your tool receptacles. At any such remote sub panel DO NOT BOND THE NEUTRAL TO THE GROUND BUSS, serve and keep them separate n isolated in that small panel.

What I envision not knowing your loads would be something like at least a 60 amp sub service fed to the tool location with a 120/240 volt small panel there or even better a 100 amp service. If your house panel is a 200 amp you can likely feed a 100 amp branch circuit from it, but if its only a 100 amp, the max size is more like 50 or 60 amps.

If a man just insisted on running a 100 foot extension cord of some sort out of a home range receptacle, I would want like 8 gauge 3 conductor (2 hots and equipment ground) wire and then not load it to much more then 20 amps continuous duty. Remember, a 30 amp branch circuit shouldnt be used for continuois loads of more then 24 amps and that doesnt account for voltage drop problems for high amps over a long distance.

You need to calcuate the actual loads the circuit would draw and then we can go back to the drawing board.

John T Retired Electrical Engineer

Whats wrong with extension cords and homeowners insurance? Is there an exclusion?

John T

John T

I did not find the post but its here in the archives. This topic was covered in the past. The weldors went with the long extension cord over generator. I'm done looking for it.

I visited with a reputable commercial electrical supply house at lunch. General consensus stay under 100'for the complete run on a 30A or 40A circuit. Duty cycle comes into play in a nutshell its a pretty common request -- and a pretty common thing to do-- a 220AC extension cord that is.

Back to my concern and my application. Weld quality at 100' of cable. Not a concern. Duty cycle and heats--commercial electricians answered this question for me. Next was is it worth the effort to not have a generator in your ear when welding(YTMAG real world experience)?Is it worth the effort to uncoil a 100' of 8 gauge wire and then coil it back up just to put a 1lb of weld down at best(YTMAG real world experience)?

I'm an ME the EE tag means nothing to me sorry and I think insurance companies pushed enough US manufacturers off shore already telling me I can't fix(weld) my sawmill using an extension cord (pheueeyy spits feather out of mouth),build with my own lumber, raise my own game birds drive my trucks from the 60's. I've had it -- out of here (lol) wife kicks soap box from under feet. Chickens do a victory dance as ducks run off with my last $1 bill.

Sometimes taking the supposed 'short cut' ends up being the pain in the butt & makes life less fun.

Trying to make a 10 gauge service wire on a 40 amp breaker with a 30 amp socket with 100 feet of extension operate a 220v welder & a 25 amp continous motor be any sort of useful is, in my opinion, the bad way to go for many different reasons. You priced extention cable lately???? Or going to use the hard wire & watch it crack as you roll & unroll & drive over it?

Messing with that just ain't worth it. Life is too short. Wears me out just thinking about it, aside from the non-safety, the overload on the components, the kicking breaker you need to reset over & over, ....

Drop in a good service line to the location you need, and have a good life. I can see trying to get by if this is a rental, or some such, but if it's your place, make it & keep it yours.

I'm a cheap bugger, but just spent over $10,000 rewiring the farm last summer - & that was only the service feeds tot he buildings, nothing inside yet. Worth it to have something I can use.

I only graduated high school, if that helps you any with my qualifications.

--->Paul

Sign me up. I've been ignoring good advice my whole life and liking it. While it hasn't made me rich, at least no one can accuse me of being easy to get along with. That's got to count for something.

All the best, Stan