220v plug

[black4x4]

I have a 250v 50A plug in my garge and was wondering if i could switch it to a 220v plug or would i need to put some type of resistans in the line.

[RedXray]

Residential wiring is two 120 volt hot wires and one neutral coming off the power poles transformer.
You run both legs together you have 240 volts... one leg you have 120 volts.

I suspect thats what you have unless you have 3 phase wiring but that still doesn't add to 250v.
And 3 phase is only industrial not residential.

What equipment are you wanting to run?

Here is the misconception between 110/220 & 120/240 Volts...

The problem started decades ago here in the US...when AC power supplies
nation-wide weren't as stable as they are today (and in some parts of
western US...they still aren't very stable). Common household voltages were
once referred to as 110/220...and many manufacturers echoed the terms on
the appliances. As power supplies and power providers became much better
regulated...this was modified to read as 120/240 volts during the 1970's.
The actual standard household voltage for the United States IS now set at 120/240 volts.

[black4x4]

175 or 210 welder. the plug says 50A and has 120/250v and the plug

[RedXray]

You need to check the welders specs for the correct size of breaker for the
panel in the garage. Do not use a breaker thats rated higher than what the
welder recommends. You can probably change the receptacle to fit the welders
plug and be OK as long as the wire gage is heavy enough and it should be with
the old plug being rated @ 50 amps (thats a lot of load).

Read the welders recommended wire size and breaker recommendations...
and just make sure the wire is at least the minimum recommended size. (not smaller)
And the Breaker for the panel MUST be the exact recommended load size.

[black4x4]

so get a plug and breaker that fits the welder and make sure the wirings heavy enough.

[RedXray]

so get a plug and breaker that fits the welder and make sure the wirings heavy enough.
Yes the wire should have a gage size printed on the sides.

Look for a name on the breaker panel or breaker and match that
name for the new breaker so it will fit that specific panel box... like GE, Siemens, Square D etc.

The breaker has to stab on both bus bars for 240v.
There staggered so you need to make sure you hit both bars.

Just remove the old double pole breaker thats hooked to that 50amp plug (if necessary)
and use that exact place in the panel for the new breaker and it will have the correct stab.

Before you start any work...

Shut down the power to the garage and get the wires torqued good on the breaker and the receptacle or the connections will overheat if loose.

and please be careful. :read:

[wht06dmax]

my welder requires 60 amps its got some big wire goin to it!!!! the extension cord is like an inch and a half thick with 5" plugs!! bad ass! its industrial stuff my dad got it cheap. anyhow let me know the gauge and i can ask my buddy if it will work he is a lic. electrician.

[burtonboards32]

50amp circuit requires that you use atleast #8 wire