0

I have a NEMA 5-50 outlet wired from my main panel all the way down to where I am installing a garage. It was put in by the previous owner for a welder I believe. NEMA 5-50 is quite unique and hard to find but is 125V 50amp outlet.

If I buy a NEMA 5-50 plug, could I simply wire that into a sub panel to split out multiple 120V outlets into the garage? Is there a better/easier way than installing a subpanel?

I would like to avoid having to run another 100 feet of line down to the area.

Thanks for the help!

2
  • Which of your appliances currently require a 5-50? Jun 22, 2020 at 23:09
  • 2
    Can you use a prefabricated Power Distribution Unit instead, or replace the receptacle with a subpanel? Jun 23, 2020 at 0:03

1 Answer 1

2

If you really, really wanted to do it from the plug, then you need something called a Power Distribution Unit (PDU). The difference between that and something you could make is the UL Listing.

However, since I supremely doubt you have anything that uses a NEMA 5-50, my advice is to tear the socket off the wall, fit a large 4-11/16” junction box there, and extend via conduit to a place where a subpanel is legal.

  • Where is that? Not a bathroom, and not over steps. Also, it’s illegal to block the 30” wide x 36” deep working space in front of the panel, so place the panel somewhere that won’t happen, e.g. a pathway, threshold or hallway.

The purpose of the conduit is to protect the wires from physical damage... and let you use the smaller #8 THHN wires, as they are vastly easier to work with than balky #6 cable. It’s worth the trouble of fitting the conduit.

Now. Inside the panel, the neutral and ground each go to independent, isolated bars. Remove the neutral-ground bonding screw or strap. The hot is split (a big wire-nut will do) to go to both “main lugs”. Now you can put as many 1-pole breakers as you want in the panel. Do not install multi-wire branch circuits (shared neutral)!!!

4
  • Is that a new requirement? My house (1950s) has the main panels (rule of 6, real mess) in the laundry room, which is also the furnace/hot water heater room (and conveniently right below the kitchen which made gas/water/electric upgrades for the kitchen easy). I do have a problem (which I inherited from previous owner but pretty sure from original construction) that I don't have the 30x36 working space, but that's a separate problem. But is laundry room strictly forbidden? Or just "not generally a good idea". Jun 23, 2020 at 16:32
  • I'm also curious about laundry rooms, since where I live, common practice is to put laundry appliances in the garage, which is also a common panel location.
    – Nate S.
    Jun 23, 2020 at 16:37
  • @manassehkatz I thought I recalled a recent code change prohibiting that. I could be wrong. Jun 23, 2020 at 17:32
  • @Harper-ReinstateMonica -- yeah, I have seen nothing that indicates that panels are now prohibited in laundry rooms/areas Jun 24, 2020 at 0:03

Your Answer

By clicking “Post Your Answer”, you agree to our terms of service and acknowledge that you have read and understand our privacy policy and code of conduct.

Not the answer you're looking for? Browse other questions tagged or ask your own question.