6-3 With Ground For Welder

cubfarm1

As the wiring for welding tools seems to have not changed and we only have a three prong plug for 50 amp service. What do the inspectors like to see done with the forth(ground) wire??? Mounting the plug is a must for rough service. Thanks!
Yes I am a contractor, Handrails are a sideline and fun.

Speedy Petey

In your case the "fourth" wire is the neutral, not the ground. You did not need 6/3. 6/2 would have been fine.
In the case of a straight 240v circuit, such as your welder, you are allowed to re-mark the white to a hot color such as black, red or blue using paint or a permanent marker.

Sicne you have the 3-wire already, use the ground for the ground as it should be. Ignore the white and cap it off on both ends. It is NOT needed.

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Sparky Joe

I'm wondering what the expression "handrails are a sideline and fun" means?

I'm also wondering what the warning message under the first post of every thread is all about?
Is CT getting sued or something?

Hope it's not from something I said

sparkysteve

The disclaimer means that there are too many lawyers in the world.

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Steve

Master Electrician/Self-Proclaimed Handy-Man

Speedy Petey

...and too many a-holes willing to sue at the drop of a hat, regardless of who's fault it is.
The lawyers convince everyone that nothing is ever their faut. Even if it is we can blame someone else and make money off it.

This is one topic I get very heated about.

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cubfarm1

Joe, I was after the correct way to wire the 50 amp plug for the wall plug. The codes seem to have changed for 30+ amp supply with the addition of forth wire grounding. When I got the wire for the 50 amp it made me wander what might have changed here too.
I would not be happy if the insurense man told me tough luck if my workshop had a bad day over a bad day on my part.
I do remodel-rework on mostly old homes And injoy most phases of the work. I really grin when folks want handrails and metalwork done as I really injoy it more than the woodwork. However I have moved and am starting over with a LOT less shop than I had.
I hope most of us do what we do for a living becaulse we like it, lots of days just don't seem like a job

Speedy Petey

The changes ONLY apply to 120/240v appliances in residential settings. I should say the old exception was allowed for residential appliances. The exception allowed for the omission of a ground, and the ground for the circuit at the load end bonded to the neutral.
Now the field is level, for 120/240v loads.

Your 240v welder does not, and never did, apply. The 240v circuit does not require a neutral.

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Speedy Petey

Also, if you screw up work in your own home the insurance company still pays. It is a long perpetuated myth that they do not.
About the only way to get in trouble is if they find it was intentional. Then the insurance company is the least of your worries.

Doing work in someone else's place is another thing entirely!

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cubfarm1

Thanks again, makes good sense. Wiring is one of my weaker points. Ground and nuteral sometimes confuse when an continuity meter tells me that they are the same. Also when I look in a panel and the white wires and the ground(bare) wires all are tied together by the panel box metal. Many things in life are the same but are not.
Really thank you all for the help, never know when it will be my turn!!!