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Answer for USA, Canada and countries running a 60 Hz supply service.The answer is No for two reasons: first, a 3-wire dryer outlet has no ground, which the welder needs. And second, a lot of welders need more than 30A -- the ancient Lincoln AC225 pulls 50A. A baby MIG like a Millermatic 180 could work off a dryer outlet... but you still need the ground wire you don't have on a 3-wire dryer outlet.


Three-wire dryer outlets are generally composed of two hots and a grounded conductor. This grounded conductor may either be insulated, in which case it is the intentionally grounded "identified" conductor or neutral, or bare, in which case it is the grounding conductor.

In either case, the grounded conductor will provide a ground path for the equipment frame connected to it.

The obvious limitation in this scenario is the adequacy of the circuit to supply the device, in this case a welder.

Bear in mind that there is no such device as a "dryer outlet." That is simply the device's most common use, hence the name. It's proper name/description is a NEMA 10-30R receptacle.


Canada uses NEMA 14-30R which has both neutral and Ground as well as 2 hot wires, so could potentially be plugged in as long as the welder is not rated more than 30 amps. But as a general rule of thumb, if you can't plug it in without modifying any part of the circuit, then the answer is no, it can't be done. Also these circuits are dedicated so only one thing can be on the line.



Before you do any work yourself,

on electrical circuits, equipment or appliances,





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2010-11-03 07:21:16
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Q: Can a 3 wire 240V welder hot hot ground be connected to a 3 wire 240V dryer outlet hot hot neutral?
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Related questions

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