I have recently purchased a 220v 15 amp jointer ( 12/3 wire). The only 220v outlet that is nearby is my dryer. The dryer is on a 30amp circuit with 10/3 wire. Can I make an extension cord (say 10/3 wire) and run the jointer off the dryer outlet?
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Is it 10/3 wire with both neutral and ground, or does it only have one of those? – Harper - Reinstate Monica Apr 10 '19 at 15:39
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1Does the supply cable to the dryer have separate neutral and ground? Another way of asking is does it have a 4-prong plug or 3? – Harper - Reinstate Monica Apr 10 '19 at 16:32
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By any chance, is your garage wired with Multi-Wire Branch Circuits (MWBCs)? If so, adding a 15A 220V outlet may be easier than you think. – Nate S. Apr 10 '19 at 18:50
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Can you post a photo of your dryer outlet please? – ThreePhaseEel Apr 10 '19 at 22:22
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its three prong plug. that's why I bought a 10/3. – Terry Simpson Apr 11 '19 at 15:48
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@TerrySimpson -- can you turn it off and post a photo of the inside of the receptacle box? – ThreePhaseEel Apr 11 '19 at 23:39
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I can't speak to the code issues and/or real-world safety of running a 220V 15A device on a 30A circuit.
However, keep in mind that dryer (and range) receptacles are NOT designed for frequent usage. They are designed to sit untouched for years at a time. Where a regular plug & receptacle might get used a few times a day (and with cell phone chargers and other devices sometimes more often than that), the dryer cord/plug and receptacle may not do well being plugged/unplugged on a regular basis.
In addition, you need to make sure the dryer receptacle is a newer 4-wire receptacle - hot/hot/neutral/ground NEMA 14-30. Older dryers (or rather, older houses never upgraded) use a NEMA 10-30. It is code-compliant to continue using a NEMA 10-30 for a dryer. But you should definitely not use it for a new device. So if you have a NEMA 10-30 then, in addition to any other issues of 15A vs. 30A, etc., you should be upgrading first to a NEMA 14-30 receptacle and change the dryer cord to match and remove the neutral-ground jumper inside the dryer.
Also see: What's a simple solution to have 2 NEMA 14-30 receptacles and switch power between them? for a discussion of using a switch between 2 receptacles.
manassehkatz-Moving 2 Codidact
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With a motor load you can put it on a larger breaker to prevent tripping on start up. Your extension cord should be 10 gauge because of the 30 amp breaker. You only need your 2 hots and ground for a 220v motor. At 15 amp your motor is a 2 or 3 horse and I would want to make it has thermal overload protection built in, if not I would be adding a overload unit to protect the motor with the setting at 17.25 amps or below.
Ed Beal
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The unit has a magnetic overload already on the machine, My problem is once I hocked the machine up to the dyer plug with a home made extension cord and turn it on, it smelt like something was burning. I quickly unplugged the machine and now I'm scratching my head. The extension cord is 10/3. – Terry Simpson Apr 11 '19 at 01:54
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Are you sure it's wired for 220v is the mag a 220v or a 120v. The coil voltage stamped on it? The 10-3 should be fine I know these are probably things you looked at but we can figure it out. – Ed Beal Apr 11 '19 at 23:28