I want to hook up a 220v arc welder. I have a 50 amp double pole breaker. The outlet is going to be placed within 6 feet of my breaker box. I believe I have to use 3 wire romex with a bare ground wire. Is this correct? Next, do I connect the black wire to one side of my breaker, the red to the other side of the breker, the white to the common bar in the breker box and the ground to the ground bar in the breaker box? Lastly, my receptacle only has terminals for 3 wires. Which ones go where and what happens to the 4th wire. HELP, THANKS..

Most welders only need straight 240 volts, which is two hots and one equipment ground, which is the bare wire, that will be connected to the ground bar in the panel, and the green screw on the outlet. The white neutral is not needed, and can be capped with a wirenut or taped with electrical tape at both ends.

Connect the black and red at the 2 pole breaker as you described. The outlet will have two brass screws, one for each the black and red wire.

Thank you tk russell, that answers my original question. I stated that I was going to locate my receptacle 6 feet from the breaker box but on further review I may locate it 25-30 feet from the box. I was planning on using 10 gauge wire. Will this be heavy enough? Thanks..

Not for a 50 amp circuit breaker. This will need #6 copper wire. If you want to use #10 wire, then you must use no larger than a 30 amp breaker.

Tk is correct. As you add distance, you loose amperage load capability, and must adjust the wire size taking in the consideration of the amps needed and the distance to carry such amps. If not, you can cause equipment damage or a fire, or both.

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Originally Posted by MOWERMAN2468

tk is correct. as you add distance, you loose amperage load capability, and must adjust the wire size taking in the consideration of the amps needed and the distance to carry such amps. if not, you can cause equipment damage or a fire, or both.

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Although Mower is correct in his thinking. In this case, I do not believe TK was referring to voltage drop as a reason for using #6AWG.

Vd is not the issue here, he has a 50 amp breaker and wanted to use #10 wire, which is too small for a 50 amp breaker.