Was thinking of making a 460v extension cord of 50 feet. Anybody done this? I can't seem to find any suitable plugs and receptacles. if 460 3phase is available you can use #14 wire for extension cords making long ones very light and compact.
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460 VAC 3 phase 20-30 amp extension cord
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The national electric code Table 400.5a says #10 for 25A, #8 for 35A, col. A for 3 current carrying conductors in flexable cords (most likely type SO). As for cord caps and recepticals any electrical warehouse or Graingers. They have to be matched to the voltage and ampeage being used. TJMiller Syncrowave 250
Miller CP 200 w/S21-E & Spoolmatic 3
Miller Bobcat 225
Hobart R-300
"There are two kind of people in this world. Those who can weld and those who can't." Jesse James
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Originally posted by TJsparksThe national electric code Table 400.5a says #10 for 25A, #8 for 35A, col. A for 3 current carrying conductors in flexable cords (most likely type SO). As for cord caps and recepticals any electrical warehouse or Graingers. They have to be matched to the voltage and ampeage being used. TJ
I'm with you, I should go by the code first manual second.
see below, wonder if Miller screwed up?
2006 Dynasty 200DX
2003 Lincoln 175 Plus
1940's 400LB buzz box
2004, 1979 Victor 100F, ox/ac
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Overkill is good, to a point.
I use a Millermatic 200 that is hooked up for 230V 1 Phase that is equipped with an 8/3 cable 50 feet long with a 30A 230V 1 Phase dryer plug for connection. I have never had a problem with it at all. My dad purchased this unit this way in the early 80's, usually they have a 10 foot cord instead.
460V 3 Phase is a different matter. I only know of one house that has 460V 3 Phase power to it, for Air Conditioning and Waterwell use. Most households don't have 460V electricity to them, 230V 4 Wire 3 Phase is more likely since 120V and 240V 1 Phase can be pulled off the lower voltage legs.
Yes, by the NEC table, and the table in the Miller Manual for for welder, you could use #14 AWG for the 50 foot cord. However, it can't be just any #14 AWG cord. We use what is called SDT cable for power feeds on waterwells. This is a 3 conductor 75 Deg C THHN Standed cable inside a sunlight resistant/direct burial PVC jacket. It is also available in 4 conductor. For your application, #12/3 would cover 230V/460V 3 Phase power options for the 50 foot distance. For 230V 1 Phase you may need #10 or #8, the #8 would be better, and then for 115V 1 Phase, #6. All copper conductors of course. The stranded wire makes this fairly flexible, but no as flexible as Type SO in rubber neoprene, but you won't have to worry about the jacket or insulation breaking down over time due to sunlight, heat, or chemical exposure.
The Miller Manual shows the unit wired directly to a fused disconnect. Ideal if the unit is not being moved. I would still use a disconnect or properly sized breaker while still using the plug and recepticle. Single Phase applications can use 30A 230V Dryer Plugs or Full KVA 50A Plugs without much trouble. You can even use 3 Pole or 4 Pole Twist Lock devices without much issue. These can be found at Lowes or Home Depot without much fuss. This amount of overkill is not too bad.
However, for 460V 3 Phase, I have only seen Pin and Sleeve connection devices used and they are not cheap. These are only available at industrial suppliers like Ganger or electrical supply houses like Rexel Electric. For an industrial setting, this is ideal. For home or home shop, this amount or overkill is a bad thing.
My $0.02:
For Industrial: Use 50 feet of #12/4 cable with pin and sleve device with proper sized fused or circuit breaker disconnect. Good for 230/460V 3 Phase.
For Home/Shop: Use 50 feet of #8/3 or 8/4 cable with 50A 240V Full KVA plug or 3 Pole or 4 Pole Twist Lock Device with proper sized fused or circuit breaker disconnect. Good for 115/230V 1 Phase.'77 Miller Bluestar 2E on current service truck
'99 Miller Bobcat 225NT for New Service Truck
'85 Millermatic 200 in Shop
'72 Marquete 295 AC cracker box in Shop
'07 Hypertherm Powermax 1000 G3 Plasma Cutter in Shop
Miller Elite and Digital Elite Hoods
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Sorry about the confusion. In you origanal post you asked for cord size for [email protected] 20 and 30. Looking at the manual specs. amperage at 460/3 phase on that machine is 6 amps. So yes you could use 14 gauge cord. I don't know if I'd go 400' with it. I'd go 14 to 100', 12 to 200' and 10 to 400'. Bigger is better, or so they say. TJMiller Syncrowave 250
Miller CP 200 w/S21-E & Spoolmatic 3
Miller Bobcat 225
Hobart R-300
"There are two kind of people in this world. Those who can weld and those who can't." Jesse James
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Originally posted by flukecejFor Home/Shop: Use 50 feet of #8/3 or 8/4 cable with 50A 240V Full KVA plug or 3 Pole or 4 Pole Twist Lock Device with proper sized fused or circuit breaker disconnect. Good for 115/230V 1 Phase.2006 Dynasty 200DX
2003 Lincoln 175 Plus
1940's 400LB buzz box
2004, 1979 Victor 100F, ox/ac
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[QUOTE=TJsparks]Sorry about the confusion.
Naw, no apology necessary, I was the confused one, still am. Hey, never had a welder that I can plug into any old plug before. Gonna be interesting. Thanks for the input TJ2006 Dynasty 200DX
2003 Lincoln 175 Plus
1940's 400LB buzz box
2004, 1979 Victor 100F, ox/ac
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Originally posted by bfloyd4445Was thinking of making a 460v extension cord of 50 feet. Anybody done this? I can't seem to find any suitable plugs and receptacles. if 460 3phase is available you can use #14 wire for extension cords making long ones very light and compact.
Just because it's 460-480V doesn't mean you can pick a wire gauge already. You need to know the needed amperage, which will, of course, be smaller than the equivalent power needs in a smaller voltage.
Make sure the cords you use for the extension are rated for 600V and not 300V. Both are common.
EDIT: I Just reread your subject line. You need #10 wire for 30A, regardless of voltage.Last edited by MAC702; 08-16-2006, 07:35 PM.
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