Electrical Requirements for Generators and Welders

Wiring a Welder to a Generator
Electrical Question: I want to run my welder off a generator, can I put a plug end on the welder wire and plug the welder into my portable generator?

• I have bought a generator and tig welder from harbor freight.
• The generator has a NEMA L14-30 plug which says 125/250 or 120/240 something like that. Now my welder has no plug at end of the power wire. So I want to run the welder off the generator.
• I bought a matching four prong plug end for the wire from Home Depot.
  • The problem is this:
    • The plug end has four pins and four screws (for four wires to be attached:
    • one ground colored green, one neutral colored white, and two “hots” I guess they’re called? which are labeled X and Y.
• However my power cable from the welder (which requires 240v) has just one black power wire, one green ground, and one white Neutral.

My Questions:

1. Can I put this plug end on this welder wire so I can plug the welder into my portable generator?
2. How do I connect the three wires from welder to the four screw mounts on plug end? do I match green and white and split the black to X and Y or do I do something else? Again, welder needs 240v.

Thanks so much for the help!

This electrical question came from: Chris, a Student from Elizabeth, New Jersey.
See more about Home Wiring for New Jersey

Dave’s Reply:
Thanks for your electrical question Chris.

How to Wire a Welder and Generator Plug

Application: Generator Cord and Welder Receptacle.
Skill Level: Intermediate to Advanced – Best performed by a Certified Electrician or Electrical Contractor.
Tools Required: Electricians pouch of hand tools.
Estimated Time: Depends on the type and size of the generator output, the specific receptacle, and the available access to the project area.
Important: Installing a generator and welder cord connection must be well thought out for complete compatibility using approved materials and methods that are compliant with all applicable codes.

Generators and Welder Plug Configurations

• The exact circuit requirements for the tig welder must be identified along with the specified NEMA male cord body that is specified.
• If this NEMA male cord body configuration does not match the configuration of the generator receptacle then then you may not be able to plug directly into the generator receptacle unless the tig welder manufacturer recommends and approved adapter.
• What is not provided with your question is the amperage rating for the tig welder, and if that amperage rating is not the same as the generator receptacle then the welder should not be connected directly to the generator. It may best to provide the power from the generator through an approved circuit panel that has the correct rated circuit and NEMA receptacle for the Tig Welder.
• The generator specifications should be examined to make sure that the load of the tig welder will be allowed as well.

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