DIY 240 Volt Outlet/50 Amp Breaker in my Home Workshop- Easiest Install ever!

Here I install a 240 V outlet and a 50 amp breaker in my home workshop. I needed this for a new welder that I recently acquired. I was surprised to find a receptacle and conduit with wire already to go. This made it very easy.

[@kimdawcatgirl]

Don't forget to write down on the door panel what that breaker is for, even though it is perfectly obvious! Lol! I was my own contractor when I built my house in 2001 and hired an electrician just to install the service and box. Then had a guy ( who wasn't as fastidious as I) help me wire the house and put in outlets, etc., and he didn't write down all that went with some breakers. Makes finding why my foyer lights aren't working suddenly a slow process. :( Great vid, and blessed you for the easy install!

[@XplorerSteveDIY]

Thanks for the tip. I was thinking just that.

[@makingtechsense126]

Thank you, thank you, thank you for going back and updating your video to show correct information. Awesome job!

[@vonrollveeg]

Another great video. Informative and entertaining. Thanks.

[@jimdeck8670]

I recently got a Lincoln idealarc 250 stick. The size of a bus lol. Loaded and unloaded it w a crane. Putting in a 50 amp circuit for it. The power lead is as thick as a garden hose. Can't wait to be able to weld some real deal steel.

[@dadlaponizil3687]

Thank you. Very helpful! Especially the neutral to ground error.

[@vanderhoof5701]

Wishing you the best Christmas Steve. 🌲⛄

[@Moparmaga-1]

Thanks, I have to do the same thing except I'm removing two breakers from panel for wall heaters I don't use anylonger

[@texasproud3332]

Steve since you eventually used the right wire your good to go by the looks of work you wont have issues i been doing this 45 yrs looks good to me good video

[@XplorerSteveDIY]

Thanks Kelly. Those guys really helped me out. KZbin's great.

[@MrDavestone999]

Why woudnt he switch the white wire in the box and use that for the ground. Seems like the ground is too small and would get hot.

[@qo5o3090]

@@MrDavestone999 the ground doesn't run current unless there's a fault...or lightning.

[@hunky_dory_7021]

Dave Wright maybe you can help explain. My understanding is the neutral is used to close the circuit. In a main panel the neutral and ground are tied together. This was a sub panel and the neutral and ground are not tied together. How do you complete the circuit to a sub panel ground, which isn’t the same as a main ground ?

[@SuperDachshund]

@@hunky_dory_7021 Y'all correct me if I'm wrong. . . The "neutral" in a three prong outlet is achieved by having a second hot in the receptacle. The 240V used by the welder is achieved by combining the two phases. When phase A is high, phase B is low hence you get 240V difference between the two. And so when phase A is surging high, phase B ACTS like a neutral and returns the current at (-) phase A voltage. And when phase B is high it sends current through the welder and returns it on phase A. So the "neutral" essentially swaps between phase A and phase B as the current alternates 60 times a second. Ground is still ground.

[@TheCrystalGlow]

You have more than 6 breakers, so I believe there’s supposed to be a main breakers at the actual sub panel from what the NEC says. It’s like a max throw count for emergencies.

[@PaulJones-bo8gt]

This is a great video thanks this is exactly what I needed to know

[@JohnKaufmann]

Nice! That was like going hunting in a zoo! All the work was done before you started

[@comando833]

What type of welder were you using before the switch over from 110 to 240 I am looking into getting one but not sure what welder to get saw this video and liked the one you were using

[@corindamerino]

Thank you very easy install!

[@KevinCoop1]

Steve, Very happy you showed the error and the fix! Another way to fix could have been, put green phase tape on both ends of the white and move the white with green tape to the ground bar. I would have disconnected the white wire and capped it off at the panel, but what you did works. Take care sir. Kevin

[@kevintaylor113]

So many guys are using the Wt as the Gnd and then attaching it to the Neutral Bar. What Steve did to correct makes much better sense! Thnx Guys now back welding TIG/MIG whichever your process is have fun playing in the puddles

[@wwmh6157]

Great video. Straight and to the point.

[@sspence861]

I have the same issue with my Tesla Charger, I have a 40 amp breaker installed, can I just replace 40 with 50?

[@andrewscott1253]

Does the 50a outlet require a different type of wall box to regular outlets?

[@amscout1156]

My friend and I just might do this in his shop so that he can run his Everlast welder without an extension cable.

[@davidmortensen5709]

If you only need 2 hot wires and a ground, can this be done with 6/2 wire, using the neutral as a hot wire, as long as you label it on both ends?

[@ronpeted]

Great workshop .

[@XplorerSteveDIY]

It is coming along.

[@santisoto5144]

Can I use the same for electrical oven 240v 40 amp is the red, the black in the ground instead of the neutral would that work?

[@PepeDeezNutz]

Great job my dude

[@CITAP1]

Hey Steve, that white wire would be fine to use for your ground as long as you wrap it with green electrical tape at both ends to denote it as ground. Then since this is a sub-panel, there will be a neutral busbar and a ground bus bar mounted to the box. You might even confirm there is no green bonding screw connecting the neutral bus bar to the panel box. There should be no connection between the ground bus and the neutral buss except for the green bonding screw in the main panel. Connect the green taped white wire to the ground bus bar. There is no connection to the neutral bus bar with this 240 Volt outlet. It will make for a better ground since it is a larger AWG wire size. The ground you have is probably a 10 AWG wire and will work fine too if you decide to keep the connections the way they are now. Cap and preserve the wire for possible future other use. Perhaps somebody was going to install a dryer or a stack laundry at that location sometime in the past. Electrical panels have two 120 busses under the breakers that alternate the legs of 120 Volts. A single breaker when attached to one bus point will always only get 120 Volts. A double breaker can attach to any two bus points next to each other (they only attach one way) and and will always get two 120 volt connections creating 240 Volts. An outside main electrical panel! Those come in handy when you just get out of the shower barely dried off, turn on the hair dryer and pop the breaker. Square D makes good stuff. I prefer the QO series panels and parts but Homeline is plenty good. Looking forward to seeing a project using the welder. Perhaps a drivers remote controlled roof mounted 360 degree coverage traffic laser turret on the Explorer.

[@XplorerSteveDIY]

Ha. Thanks for the info. Yes, I thought about using the white for ground but it looked a bit short to move over to the left side (maybe not though) so being that the ground was already connected over there, I just used it and switched out the leads at the outlet (too lazy) and I think it will work out okay. I was a bit confused by the three leads and the ground but in doing more research yes you're right. Modern dryers use a four wire 240 And the electrician probably was covering all the bases, which is unusual for track homes in Las Vegas. They usually try to get by with giving you the bare minimum. I've had to replace every receptacle in my home as they would not hold the plug. Cheap stuff.. There will be some practice welding and projects in the future.

[@CITAP1]

I've done videos with electrical abominations we've uncovered in them over the years. I really should go through and do a highlights reel. It's a head shaker sometimes why inferior products get used. It might have cost an extra 200 bucks to install better grade outlets in a house. Over the lifetime, it's a no brainer!

[@chazfaz3595]

CITAP1 I don't understand why there isn't a place for the grounded neutral conductor on this receptacle. It doesn't make sense to me that the bare grounding wire (which is there to be a safety backup), would be substituting as the grounded conductor instead.

[@kentjohnson4757]

Its nice to hear someone in the comments who actually knows what their talking about. Great video by the way.

[@JMal-mc6yr]

@@XplorerSteveDIY As an electrician, I take offense in you saying that we do “the bare minimum.” I personally take great pride and accountability in ensuring that what I do is up to code AND I do things with future expansion in mind. I don’t know what type of “electricians” you’ve hired or what kind of “Do It Yourselfers” you’ve encountered but please... PLEASE never offend an electrician who takes his profession serious.

[@dontes9588]

Great job..

[@matthewfields1282]

Where did you get those wire stripping pliers?

[@ricardogranados5243]

Where did you buy that from?

[@poundermonster]

I have a 14 bmw i3, I’m going to install a 240v in my garage with a 32 amp breaker, a 32 amp receptacle, with 8 gauge wiring so I can charge my car, I’m I on the right path?

[@makavelishakur3450]

So the 250v system doesn’t need neutral? What am I missing ?

[@WV591]

How lucky is that? walk in and find a 240 all wired and ready to go. all houses should have that.

[@gil-juniorriseabovebetraya5972]

Well hopefully its not of 20amp breaker lol

[@lawrenceconstantine7735]

Still have those finger tips good job Steve

[@jimmybrad156]

Erggh is that front plate grounded???

[@americawhereareyou]

8:17 I usually like to torque down on screws, but if twerking for them works for you, go for it. :D

[@joebriggs9599]

Did you leave the white neutral wire connected in the main panel and you capped it off at the outlet? on the neutral bar?

[@XplorerSteveDIY]

Yes.

[@thedodaman]

Can you leave the white wire off the panel

[@longliu2901]

so not using neutral wire?

[@charlieday5]

Is it possible to get a different receptacle that also uses the neutral?

[@XplorerSteveDIY]

Yes. It appears it was there for the addition of a 4-wire 240 as in the case of a clothes dryer where the white would go to the neutral as shown. My Welder just uses a three prong plug and so the confusion with the extra wire. I just disabled the white and it's all good.

[@timchevrette8295]

NEMA 14-50

[@rubenmitre9106]

@@XplorerSteveDIY Was the White also terminated at the Neutral in the panel of did you safety that off as well?

[@TeslaEVVideos]

Hi. Couldn't help but notice. When you shut off the main power supply, wouldn't want to lock the door and make sure no one plays with that circuit switch while you're working inside?

[@undernetjack]

Who would wander by his house , walk into the garage and start flipping breakers? SMH.

[@AaronSmith-ix8ox]

@@undernetjackThe comment is not for everyone. Another member of the household probably trips another switch while the 24V is being set up like in the video. The other member could inadvertently turn on the wrong breaker switch. It's better be safe than sorry. You may always leave the box unlocked/open if you're comfortable in doing so.

[@leesuschrist]

Why can't life always be this easy?

[@Linescrew1Canada]

Great video but I must advise that there are many places that require only certified electricians to actually do this type of work. And if a fire should be traced to non code work you're left on the hook with no home insurance. Just a caveat to throw out there for folks to research their local laws. But obviously anyone with some care could easily do this.

[@lawrenceconstantine7735]

Here in the states you are aloud to do electrical work on your own home so i don't know where that falls on Ins

[@Linescrew1Canada]

I am not sure everyone can take you on your word on that especially since building codes are locally and state regulated. Here in Canada, safety standards are high, and I would not doubt parts of New Zealand, Australia, the UK and Europe have similar concerns too. So anyone reading....please consult your local laws to be safe. Don't assume an anonymous comment is your clear sailing....

[@AllAmericanDreamChaser]

Linescrew1 I live in Arizona. We can do electrical work ourselves, however you first must obtain a permit from the city. They send out a inspector to make sure everything is done by code.

[@lordgarth1]

All American Dream Chaser it’s the same in Canada. My father has always done his own work and he pulls permits and it gets inspected.

[@jamesduncan915]

If you ever run into painted wires, just cut off a 1/4 inch or so, make sure there is no paint in your connection

[@_mylastname]

Couldn't you have left the outlet alone and grounded the bare Copper to the outlet box? Keeping the white as your ground at the receptacle?

[@Starfox-zg4tk]

Can someone confirm. The black and red wire to the 50 amp breaker I can put in either hole?also what would happen if he kept the white wire in as ground wire then he turns on power?

[@kimperris3902]

it wasn't connected to the ground, it was connected to the neutral bar, which is a no no in this application.

[@ddaniels2901dd]

If he kept the white wire in the ground hole, the receptacle cover will have live voltage on it just waiting to shock someone

[@TheChimneyfish3]

So he is coming out of a subpanel and not a main panel. Subpanel not bonded. Should he be using the neutral or ground for this application?

[@marshabufkin7367]

You only bond the neutral and ground at the first point of entrance. That's probably done in the meter base. He didn't open the meter base, so I couldn't tell.

[@joeydelmarsjr.646]

50amp for welder needs 6ga wire , but if running 3ft or less you might be okay with 8 ga wire

[@johncoyle5936]

Instruction manual from Lincoln welders has 8 AWG listed.

[@LuvCharliegmailcom]

I like to find out. What is the purpose of the white color wire ? When do you use it ?

[@XplorerSteveDIY]

Many modern appliances like dryers and ovens that run off electricity use a four wire 240. The red and black wires would go to the power, the bare copper wire would go to ground, and the white wire would go to neutral where it was inserted on the panel.

[@soloban81]

Voltage between the white neutral line and either hot line (red or black) is 120VAC. Appliances like stoves or dryers with control panels will use 120V for the panel and 240V for the heating elements.

[@balloney2175]

How much is per hour of an electrician? I don't want to make chances.

[@helmutlive]

How can anyone mistake a white wire for the ground Wire?

[@alpinegeordie]

Steve .....You need to mark the lid of the box what the breaker is for.... just saying :-) You know what it is but it's for other people later cheers have a good holiday & happy welding , From Switzerland ....the land of 440v :-)

[@XplorerSteveDIY]

Will do. Thanks.

[@gone3574]

If you can't tell a 50 amp receptacle goes to a 50 amp breaker you shouldn't be playing with electric

[@avader5]

Most RV Outlets I've seen for 50 amp service have a connector for neutral as well.

[@TL-ds8ux]

I think it's just a different standard. My welder is a 6-50R but the new install in my house is a 14-50R.

[@apike199]

@@TL-ds8ux That's because you have 120v outlets inside the RV with a sub panel in the RV, and you need the white neutral wire as a reference for 120v legs to reference in your RV sub panel. When you split the two legs of your 240v circuit into two 120v legs, each circuit coming from one leg will use one hot and one neutral for 120v

[@ryanl.anderson2451]

Where did the white wire go?

[@kimperris3902]

it's a neutral, not needed in 240v. the return is through the opposite leg

[@poorfesor]

The grounding code is different for Sub panels than the main box. The small wire should be grounded to sub panel box to plug box, white wire should go to neutral. Just my opinion from watching other videos. Maybe you should check the new codes.

[@XplorerSteveDIY]

As mentioned, everyone should check with their local codes because they can differ.

[@javiderek31]

So it’s okay to leave the white wire not hooked up?

[@MD-en3zm]

Yes, if not needed - I usually just wirenut it. For a 240V circuit no neutral is needed. I often run a neutral anyways in case I want one later.

[@slowpoke96Z28]

3:39 I was about to be triggered lol for neutral to ground...

[@ddaniels2901dd]

Me too. Was about to say something, but it was corrected

[@79bnice]

My house has a 60am breaker, is this still okay to use or 50 amp is required?

[@ryanbell9376]

No you cannot

[@ryanbell9376]

Nec 210.21(b)(3)

[@GTLee9]

Aren't you running current through the bare ground to complete the circuit, instead of it acting as the equipment gound?

[@chazfaz3595]

exactly

[@spelunkerd]

No, he did it correctly. On a 240V receptacle the current runs between red and black, the ground is a safety only. Four wire plugs have the white neutral there for 120V options, not needed in this situation. It is nice to have the white wire there in case of future requirements. This looks like an electrician added that box for future use, possibly an electric car charger, and it looks like the gauge was correct, should be #6 wire for 50A. Code requires specific height for the box, worth checking before making holes.

[@hunky_dory_7021]

spelunkerd could you please explain a little bit more. If your running two poles and they’re both hot, and you need 240v, my understanding is the neutral was the return. How do you complete the circuit with only hots. Not to mention this is a sub panel. The ground isn’t tied to the neutral as it would be in the main. I believe he should have left on the neutral.

[@tbirdracefan]

Is there a particular reason for having the main breaker box outside? Perhaps a regional thing? All the ones I have have been around were indoors. No need to get dressed if a breaker trips and needs to be reset.

[@vicO1323]

I'm in Arizona and I moved here from Washington I noticed the main breaker panel outside on all the houses. I don't know the reason for it but that's what they do here. It might be a fire safety issue, in case of fire the fire department can easily shut off the power to the house. There's a place for a small lock but I was told you're not allowed to place a lock on it.

[@avlisk]

I, too, live in AZ, and you are correct about all the service panels being on the outside of our houses. However, I lock mine for security reasons, and our HOA even recommends it. Criminals have been opening unlocked panels and shutting off the power in the house. If no one is home, the security systems are shut down, and it's safer for them to loot the home. If someone is home and goes out to check the box, even worse results can, and have happened.

[@vicO1323]

Well it happened. I read a post today in my "Nextdoor" community about someone had turned the left side breakers off at 2am and they were trying to open the back door. They called the police but the burglars got away. I called the Sheriff office but they said to call APS. APS said it was fine to have lock on your breaker panel and if they have to cut the lock to get into the panel then you're still responsible for the lock.

[@vonrollveeg]

One should always have a substantial backup battery on a security system. If your security system does not have a plan for power interruption - look around for another brand. Essentially, a security system without battery backup is useless - turning off power is the first thing any experienced (and most novice) criminal will do.

[@phillipj4831]

Main breakers are outside due to the grounding rod. Safety measures.

[@TL-ds8ux]

So instead of installing the 6-50r you had the wiring for a 14-50r?

[@KevinCoop1]

Korie Creson You seem confused on when a neutral is needed. If a label says 240 volts single phase, it is a 2 pole breaker, two "hots" and ground. If the label says 120/240 volts single phase, 2 pole breaker, two "hots", one neutral, and one ground. Small welders are either 120 volts or 240 volts, never both. Same for water heaters. Electric stoves and clothes dryers have 240 volt heaters and 120 volt electronic controls and lights, so 120/240 volts. Hopefully this will help you. If not, ask a question. Kevin

[@Moparmaga-1]

@@KevinCoop1 figured it out thank you.

[@hunky_dory_7021]

Kevin Coop can you help explain. My understanding is the neutral is the return. How do you close the circuit if you’re using the bare copper to the sub panel ground ? My thought would be to neutral to close, which ties back to the main.

[@KevinCoop1]

Hakob Karaoglanian Please see the attached video explaining 120/240 volt single phase systems. You can trust these videos, I have seen most of them. If you still have a question after watching this one and others, then feel free to ask the question. kzbin.info/www/bejne/nHvIg5SYi5qbhLc Respectfully, Kevin

[@hunky_dory_7021]

Kevin Coop that was informative. I love his videos. It didn’t 100% answer my question but after some digging I am coming around to the idea that, for the Nema 6-50, your two hots are +120v and -120v and act as the supply and return. This is a total potent is if 240v. For something like the Nema 14-50, same concept but the neutral is there to provide 120v to misc. the ground is still the fault in all cases. Here is another question: if OP left the white neutral connected, it would have travelled all the way back from sub to main, where white and green are bonded together. Not best practice but why would this not work or be dangerous ?

[@lgmnowkondo938]

I thought in a 3 prong...you had to short the neutral to the ground...are you sure capping the neutral is the proper method?

[@javiderek31]

lgmnow kondo any answers need to know as well

[@brianbrooks2688]

The ground and neutral are bonded in the main panel. He did it right... Eventually

[@hunky_dory_7021]

brian brooks this was installed in a sub panel. The ground and neutral aren’t bonded together. I have the same question. How does the circuit close if this ground is not the same as the main panel ground ?

[@rubencastillo2623]

Was tht wire rated 4 50 amps

[@Independent-xl3st]

Visually it looked like 6 AWG, so that would be fine.

[@amealnet2495]

Why couldn’t you use the white wire for the ground wire?

[@XplorerSteveDIY]

This is a sub panel

[@renechimborazo7166]

what wire # are those

[@salreyes3215]

#8

[@AlfonsoGarcia-ek7tr]

You remind me of a young Edward James Olmos

[@breezetix]

ground wires are usually connected to neutral bar anyway, so no point in changing the ground and neutral wires when they're connected the same.

[@ryanbell9376]

Not in a sub panel. The neutral is a current carrying conductor and you are putting current on your ground conductor feeding the sub panel

[@amealnet2495]

@@ryanbell9376 ……….. but there both copper wires, why is the thin ground wire used instead? Don’t they both connect in the same places?

[@ryanbell9376]

@@amealnet2495 the ground/green wire is for short circuit protection of metal parts in the electrical system. All parts of an electrical system needs to be bonded together and grounded. The neutral conductor is for carrying the load back to the source

[@BrokeStatusMechanic]

Personally in your application given you only need to hot 120's and no neutral I would have just moved your larger gauged neutral off the neutral buss over to the ground buss as a large gauged ground wire never hurts in the event of a short to dissipate the current quickly and safely.

[@TomNouri]

So it’s ok to use that high gauge ground? I thought the ground gauge had to match hots. Thx :)

[@JackRR15]

? The ground is always that size.

[@mercorey3258]

I don’t get it... I thought you needed the neutral (white wire) to send the power back. Is it because it’s a sub-panel and not needed?

[@slowpoke96Z28]

Mercorey no neutral is needed because 240 volt power goes from L1 to the welder then to L2. The power starts and returns to the breaker he installed. Neutral is only for 120 volt power. If he were installing a 120 outlet, he would have to chose the red or black for his hot, white for neutral, and bare for ground, then capped off the end of the color he didn’t use at both ends. If he was going for uniformity, he’d choose black and leave the red one undone and capped off. And of course a single 120 volt breaker.

[@mercorey3258]

slowpoke96z28 ok, thanks.

[@hunky_dory_7021]

slowpoke96z28 are you sure about that ? Could you explain how the Nema 14-50R works in a similar manner, which is 240v and uses 2 hots, ground and neutral.

[@slowpoke96Z28]

Hakob Karaoglanian because it’s a dual voltage. It provides 120 & 240. Appliances like ovens and driers that also have computer circuits, clocks, oven lights, etc that run off 120 still need the neutral. Power for them goes from L1 (or L2, which one doesn’t matter) to neutral for those 120V circuits in the appliance, and from L1 to L2 for whatever in the appliance needs 240V.

[@Prariedog]

@@slowpoke96Z28 I just hooked up the 10-3 wires to a outlet for a heater in the shop.i used the nutral wire instead of ground .are you says it's wrong, and disconnect it from panel and use the ground wire?

[@chellebelle534]

Have you ever heard of a car Heater that plugs into the lighter ?

[@XplorerSteveDIY]

no.

[@nicoles.3455]

where does the white wire go in the breaker?

[@Nick-bh1fy]

If it’s strictly 240v appliance the white wire can be terminated on the breaker but should be labeled with red electrical tape. If it’s a 120/240v appliance like a stove then the white wire goes to neutral bar in panel

[@Nick-bh1fy]

Korie Creson if it was already terminated under the neutral bar than it’s fine but the neutral is not necessary for this application to work

[@Moparmaga-1]

@@Nick-bh1fy cool, thank u

[@santisoto5144]

Can someone answer my question please

[@CHSSeniorproject]

Nice (new) video. A few comments, that's NM cable feeding the box not a conduit. I like the fact that you actually used to correct voltage terminology in your video and didn't say 110 or 220 which are the nominal voltages from decades ago. Here in the US the nominal voltage is as you've stated 120/240 volts. Also I'm not sure why some many questioned the use of a 240 volt receptacle with no neutral, if the machine doesn't require a neutral then you wouldn't need one. The circuit needs to match the voltage/amperage configuration of the male plug and rating on the machine. I would have not left that big loop of slack in the panel but your installation was code complaint and nice job removing the paint from the equipment grounding conductor.

[@hunky_dory_7021]

Robbo isn’t the neutral the return to close the circuit ? Not sure many caught this but this installation occurred in a sub panel where the ground and neutral bus are not connected. So my question is, how is the circuit closed if your return is to ground on a sub panel where the earth rod is in a different location ?

[@TheTruth-fs2rm]

You are supposed to have a loop like that in the panel.

[@stephenbeecher7545]

Pre-wired garage for electric vehicle charging.

[@douglasbair5647]

Doesn’t that make it a 30 amp or did I miss something? Guess I’m not understanding!🤔😳

[@ASAPJermz]

Last part was pretty weird and awkward but cool video!

[@balky23]

What’s the name of that outlet you installed

[@Independent-xl3st]

NEMA 6-50R (R stands for receptacle). The corresponding plug would be called NEMA 6-50P.

[@doubletake2448]

I don`t quite understand why the white or neutral wire is not required in this install. Is there not a concern about creating a path back to the transformer to balance uneven amps (load)?

[@marklabarbera5919]

Most residential locations have two hot legs and one neutral leg. The hot conductors are 110-120 volts and in opposite phases (when one is +110 the other is -110 V). The neutral conductor is grounded in the panel right as it comes into your house (and not grounded anywhere else, that is very important for safety). Most household outlets are NEMA 14-15, 110 volt service, in these outlets only one of the two hot conductors delivers the power and the neutral return completes the circuit. The receptacle installed here, NEMA 15-50, has power delivered from one hot leg and returned through the opposite hot leg. The current is balanced, however it is not returning through the grounded neutral, it is returned though the second hot phase that is doing as much work as the first phase in pulling/pushing the current.

[@doubletake2448]

I'd appreciate it if you could clarify the wiring connections. A NEMA 14-50 (the outlet that I intend to install for an EV) has a four wire connection; two hot legs (L1, L2) each one connected to the hot out of a duel 50 amp breaker (that I will install) at the service panel plus a ground and neutral. The 50 amp breaker has two, 120 volt hots out in opposite phases, that transmits the 240 volt service to the NEMA 14-50 outlet. The 14-50 outlet has a ground that is connected to the ground bus bar at the service panel, and, a neutral connected to the neutral ground bus bar at the service panel. Four wires (two hot, one neutral, one ground) connected to the outlet leading back to the service panel and connected as described. Isn't this a standard four wire set up? Perhaps the distinction here is that in your example, you are wiring to a sub panel and not the service panel - thus eliminating the requirement for a neutral wire connection? Thanks in advance for your assistance.

[@FoxCurtailed]

AFAIK, the neutral in a 14-50 simply permits the use of 120v power as an alternative to 240. EVs are making 14-50 more popular, but if you're not using 120, you don't need the extra neutral wire. None of this has anything to do with sub panels or service panels. I'm told Teslas can run off the 6-50 plug Steve installed, and adapters permit the connection from 14-50 to 6-50 and vice versa. I'm not aware of any difference other than the 120 option, which Steve doesn't want or need since he's only running a welder off this outlet. (Especially since his welder wouldn't work with a 14-50 without a pricey adapter) I don't know what you're installing (or, by this point, have installed) but if it's only going to use the 240 option on the 14-50 outlet, if the cable run is longer than 40 feet, it's probably less expensive to just install a 6-50 outlet, skip the extra 6awg cable and buy the adapter to let your NEMA 14 device's plug hook up to the NEMA 6 outlet. If you *need* 120 as well, you need a NEMA 14 outlet, and to pay the extra $1 per foot for the third 6awg cable.

[@alphaomega6087]

I love the intros with Cosmo

[@helmutlive]

Ground wire is always the bare copper wire!

[@chrisf9607]

or green

[@gregberban9273]

No its not. Could be green, or green with a yellow tracer or a bare cable or cables

[@gregberban9273]

What if it's not a copper cable???

[@Independent-xl3st]

Nope. A bare wire (usually copper but could be aluminum in older homes) is always ground, but ground wires can be green or green-yellow (as @Greg_Berban mentioned below). When I do electrical work, I usually buy 4 wires: red, black, white and green.

[@Chainyanker007]

You don’t show where what looks like a metal box is grounded. If it’s a plastic box not good to have 240v in it, or so I’ve read. This is important if you’ve got that white wire just taped over. Strange that the outlet has no terminal for the neutral white wire something seems amiss. Also if you are using it with 50 amp equip I’d go with 6/3 wire and an industrial quality NEMA 14-50 receptacle that way it could be used in the future to charge an EV.

[@adarshpatel3570]

Hes using a NEMA 6-50A which does not have a terminal for neutral

[@jakeflo4215]

You can use the neutral too instead of ground wire.

[@GurpreetSingh-be7yz]

Are you sure , we can use neutral instead of ground wire?

[@joeydelmarsjr.646]

14ga = 15amps 12ga=20amps 10ga=30amps

[@terjeoseberg990]

Instead of caping off the white wire, I would have used a different outlet that had +120, -120, neutral, and ground like a NEMA 14-50 outlet.

[@rickl6697]

I think because he wasn't wiring for a 50 amp rv hookup. It's for his welder which is 3 wire 240 volts and 50 amps. His welder must only have the 3 wire plug.

[@sunfarm1963]

Nothing hard BECAUSE house was PREWIRED!!!!! How about fish tape wire from breaker panel to outlet location?

[@virgilmerchant5291]

Ground plug goes down,

[@Guillotines_For_Globalists]

If your welder only used a three prong plug, I believe that you were originally correct to use the NEUTRAL and not the GROUND wire. Perhaps you bought an older welder that did not use a four prong plug? The only difference between three and four prong 240 volt plugs is the GROUND. They all use TWO HOTS and ONE NEUTRAL regardless.

[@machigane7902]

That's 100% incorrect. I just bought a Titanium Stick Welder that uses only 2 hot and 1 ground on 240v. NO NEUTRAL. It does 120v or 240v and comes with an adapter for the 240v plug to convert it to 120v.

[@machigane7902]

@sparky12x That's what I said!

[@hunky_dory_7021]

Machigane if you’re converting to 120v, isn’t there a neutral then ?

[@thomasmarable6818]

Wrong the difference is with 3 prong is 2 hots 1 ground no neutral, with 4 prong is 2 hots 1 neutral and 1 ground. 240 volt equipment require no neutral, but 120/240 equipment require a neutral for the 120 items.

[@Guillotines_For_Globalists]

@@thomasmarable6818 Gotcha! Thanks.

[@arthurvin2937]

I've done dozen works on 200 amp panel and never bothered to cut the power off because it's just inconvenient. My servers will shut down, clocks will reset etc. Just be safe and use common sense.

[@dalenassar9152]

@alan sullivan ...when it's UNLOADED!!!

[@maxcrypto774]

Who uses a flathead screwdriver these days?

[@rhirwin10]

Xplorer Steve, This does not look correct to me. A 240V 50amp circuit requires a NEMA 14-50 receptacle which is a 4 wire connector. Black and Red are hot, White is connected to neutral and bare wire is your ground. I would be surprised if your welder has the plug for the receptacle you used, if it does then it is rated for 240v 30amp service. Take a look at your dryer receptacle.

[@FoxCurtailed]

A 50 amp circuit doesn't require any specific NEMA outlet, just one rated for that amperage and voltage. The outlet he installed is a NEMA 6-50, commonly referred to by some as a 'welder outlet' as many welders are sold with a plug needing this type of outlet. (Mine included) It is, as the designation implies, a 50 amp receptacle. While the NEMA 14 series of 50 amp outlets are coming into favor, (See: TESLA) providing 120 and 240 (or 120 and 208 with three-phase), if you don't need it, you don't need it. While Steve already had the extra line run, and it was clearly designed with an option to install a 14-50, he'd then have had to buy an adapter to use his welder. For anyone else needing a 6-50, running 6/3 instead of the needed 6/2 provides no benefit and would just be spending more money running another expensive 6awg cable you're not going to use.

[@uvodee]

Get insulated screwdrivers, PLEASE!!!

[@virgilmerchant5291]

could have just grounded the White wire

[@TV-yq4sn]

If your neutral bar is properly grounded, you can go to town on that white wire

[@robertwillett4122]

Always consult a qualified electrician before attempting this. lol

[@robertwillett4122]

My name is nerd,what?

[@B_EIMON]

That looks like 8AWG and if that's the case it's only rated for 40amps max not 50amps. If it's 6AWG you are good to go.

[@thomasrogers3998]

6awg is code where I live, but being such a short run. should be fine

[@B_EIMON]

@@thomasrogers3998 you said it with your own words, go by the code, the code is minimum requirements so better to not be a hack and do quality work with integrity and safety go beyond the code it doesn't take much more effort or money to do so.

[@thomasrogers3998]

@@B_EIMON the longer distance that you will run wire the heavier gauge you will need, basic basic stuff, yes I said what code was it also said what would work

[@thomasrogers3998]

Code is something that government people behind a desk makeup they don't know s*** blah blah, people in the field news what works

[@thomasrogers3998]

Voice to Text some misspellings

[@danielkofman4592]

You bought the wrong outlet. You need to use all 4 wires.

[@SuperDachshund]

What if the welder uses three prongs? Now what?

[@danielkofman4592]

@@SuperDachshund You change the cord on the welder.

[@SuperDachshund]

@@danielkofman4592 . . .which came with a three prong plug. Now what?

[@MAGAMAN]

That is absolutely not the correct way to cap off a wire.

[@michellegallegos8662]

the ground should be 10 guage !!!!! not 12

[@alant5757]

Note to self: Go to Harbor Freight and buy a heat gun. Gun for you owning up to fixing the ground issue on camera

[@bdphourde]

I think you should recheck your wiring and plug. I could not tell from your video, but a 240VAC-50A outlet should have 4 connectors in the back and 4 slots in the front because your white neutral wire needs to be hooked up! You may have purchased a 120 VAC-30A outlet! The electronics in your welder MAY take that power and use some of it as 120 and needs that neutral to do it! I was unaware that AZ had the same STUPID law about outside service entrance panels that CA does! But CA is run by idiots!

[@XplorerSteveDIY]

Naw it is a three wire 240v 50amp service. Power and ground is all it needs. My clothes dryer has a 4 wire with a neutral. Don't need 4 wire for the welder.

[@thereddstormproject1954]

Xplorer Steve DIY can a clothes dryer run on 2 wires? Red and black? And can the whitebwite be connected to neutral or can i ground it to the box?

[@whirlwindjml]

@@thereddstormproject1954 from what learned the 4 wire is so things like dryers can run 120v things like the buttons on panel. Thats why the oven has 4 wire (240 to heat coils and 120 to the timer/ temp and light bulb ECT).

[@mousejjt2]

The 3 wire plug was the old standard b4 1996 I beleive. After that all new installs are required to run a 4 plug outlet. A 4 prong dryer can run off of a 3 prong but you have to bomd the ground to neutral inside machine or a 4 wire plug that uses 2 hots a neutral and a ground

[@Guillotines_For_Globalists]

Perhaps the older welders use a 3 prong. We had an older stick welder and the appropriate plug only had three terminals. I'm thinking it does need the neutral and two hots. Perhaps the NEW welders also have a ground. It would seem to me that neutral and hot was already an existing, unchanged thing but as times change and safeties are put in place, grounding the welder is something new that would have been implemented later. Perhaps he was right to connect the neutral all along. When we had electricians install a 240 volt outlet in my Father's garage with this three prong outlet, they hooked up two hots and the neutral. There was nowhere to put the tiny ground wire with this style plug, but that's what the old welder used.

[@joe77wan]

You should delete any versions of this video

[@erictownsend8711]

I would suggest anybody watching this to go somewhere else. There is a big mistake in the wiring and the outlet itself don't look like it has all the correct connectors.

[@XplorerSteveDIY]

Do tell...

[@erictownsend8711]

@@XplorerSteveDIY You made a potentially dangerous mistake that if anybody had followed your (initial) instructions, they would have jeopardized their health and/or belongings. There are several other videos posted where NO MISTAKE is made. I advised other viewers to NOT follow this video exclusively (If they happen read comments).

[@XplorerSteveDIY]

Eric Townsend Again, you’re being evasive. State the problem and the reason. I am waiting......

[@jewlenskyy5993]

Eric is implying you did not do a hot cold hot test with your volt ohm meter, simply testing the absence of voltage and qualifying the meter is not broken. Although you isolated your main panel killing the power you did not lock out and tag your panel. These are the proper steps before you jump into a circuit and begin work, for someone in the field you lose your job or your life.

[@garychaney5484]

You lost my view when you don’t know the ground wire, and doing an instructional video !

[@ScottR3389]

Why are those wires in the J Box to begin with?