Here’s why you can’t use a welder outlets for NEMA 5-20 appliances. 

Can welder outlets be adapted to Nema 5-20

Let's first talk about the two main welder outlets. 

The NEMA 10-50 and the NEMA 6-50. 

The NEMA 10-50 is a 125/250 Volt outlet with two hots and a neutral. 

The NEMA 6-50 is a 250 volt  outlet with two hots and a ground.

NEMA 5-20 has a hot ground and neutral

The NEMA 5-20 is a lot different than both of these other configurations. 

The 5-20 has 1 hot one neutral and 1 ground and runs at 125 volts. 


In order for you to have any adapter for a standard household plug, it needs to have a few qualities. 

Needs to be compatible with 125 volts.  In this case only NEMA 10-50 is compatible and NEMA 6-50 is not.  

So NEMA 6-50 is totally out of the picture. 

NEMA 6-50 has two hots and a ground

Lastly the NEMA 5-20 needs to have wires connected to a hot ground and neutral and here’s where the NEMA 10-50 falls short. 

NEMA 10-50 has two hots and a neutral

There you have it! Like this video and subscribe for more power tips and explanations. Shop ACWORKS.com for all of your power needs.

 

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