Welder extension cord

On modern appliances (maybe a range or dryer) that require 4 wire versus the old 3 wire units, that could be from it using BOTH 120 (maybe controls or an outlet) anddddd 240 volts (motor and heating units). Therefore its 2 (Red n Black) hots,,,,,1 Neutral (White grounded conductor),,,,, 1 Bare/Green Equipment Grounding Conductor

John T

Its as simple as that.

Gerald J.

We have a heavy cord for temporary service 250 ft long that will handle 100 amps plus. I can tell you this, nothing helps maintain a cord any better than a good head on your shoulders and a constant eye for abuse. Rubber cords do not stretch, they are not intended to pull foreign objects when they get tangled on them. They are not designed to support tractor, skid loader, or buldozer traffic. Knots do not undo themselves, get over the thought that they will after if ignored.

I used to think that young people would feel differently about the equipment they abused if they had to spend their own money on it. I no longer believe that's the case. I think people who are inclined to take care of equipment will take care of it regardless of who it belongs to, and those who abuse equipment without giving it a thought will abuse their own equipment the same way. I suspect that part of it comes from being raised in a commercially oriented culture where everything is disposable. If they even thought about it they would probably think something like, "Why not grind the extension cords into the concrete instead of stepping over them? We'll have to buy new ones sometime anyway." But I don't think they actually ever give it a thought.

I thought that rant would make me feel better, but it didn't.

All the best, Stan

HOWEVER if THE APPLIANCE (LIKE SAY A 240 VOLT ONLY WELDER) is straight 240 volt with NO 120, a Neutral IS NOT REQUIRED... In that case 3 wires will suffice and be in full compliance with the NEC, 2 Hots and 1 Equipment Grounding Conductor..... .

Hope this helps, yall take care n be safe now

John T

I made a couple of extension cords like you're talking about, and the weakest part seems to be the attachment of the cable to the plug. The outlet end isn't so bad because you can put the outlet in a steel electrical box and use a steel clamp (wire loom, I think it's called) to hold the cable in place. The plugs I've seen, however, have built in clamps which are not sturdy enough to hold the cable as firmly as it should be held. Those plugs would be adequate where you plugged in the cord once and then left it there, as you would with a range or dryer. Mine have tended to work themselves loose when I use my extension cords as extension cords. Let me know if you work out a way to deal with this problem.

All the best, Stan

Soundguy

If the welder were only 120 volt then it would have a single black hot, a white Neutral, and a green EGC.

BUTTTTT TT if it wires to a TWO POLE CIRCUIT BREAKER INSTEAD OF A SINGLE POLE,,,,, ,, That tells me its 240 volts and my best guess above is likely correct..... ...

John T long retired electrical engineer so a lil rusty