Welding Table Outlets

[TRMark]

I got a thick piece of steel plate, had some scrap pieces and casters around so I built myself a welding table for smaller projects. Works well, I can connect the ground lead of my mig to table and fabricate with out clamping and reclamping the ground. I would like to install an electrical outlet box on the table so I can plug in my angle grinders. The question is since the outlet will also ground to the table will anything weird go on with my house wiring when I weld or is ground ground.

 

[TR3driver]

Depends on how your welder is wired internally. I think the welding leads are normally isolated from the safety ground, in which case you _should_ ground the table separately. See for example
https://www.lincolnelectric.com/knowledge/articles/content/grounding_arc_welding_safety.asp

However, if you don't want the table grounded through the outlet; there are special "isolated ground" receptacles that you can use. These are commonly used in places like computer rooms and hospitals, where a clean safety ground is essential. The outlet will either be colored orange, or have an orange spot on the face to indicate the isolation.

 

[TRMark]

Thanks Randall. The link explained the problem of terminology very well it is not a ground clamp but a work clamp. I looked at my welders wiring schematic, the work clamp has nothing to do with a ground. I am a bit confused about grounding the workpiece or table to a steel building etc. I don't see that happening, never heard of that before. I have designed and built large pieces of equipment (conveyors and recycling equipment) on a concrete floor without considering it. I will definitely use the isolated ground receptacle you suggested.

Once again the folks on BCF have proven to be very helpful. The amount of information available around here is amazing. Thank you again Randall.

 

[AweMan]

Mark:
I have done specifically what you are talking about with no ill effects.
All you have to do is ensure that the 110v electrical outlet is NOT grounded to the table through the outlet housing.
It needs to have a separate ground wire running to the 110v source
A three wire {one common, one hot and one ground} extension cord will work fine.
A metal outlet box either welded or bolted to the weld table is what I used.
The tabs on the outlet that attach it to the outlet box are NOT part of the electrical circuit so they will not create a problem.
An air outlet attached to the weld table is another great thing to do
It will keep your air hose to a minimum and out of the way and off of the floor out from under foot. A short hose can be used here to attach grinders and sanders or other air implements to accomplish the task at hand while working projects.
I hope this helps

 

[TR3driver]

The tabs on the outlet that attach it to the outlet box are NOT part of the electrical circuit so they will not create a problem.

A standard outlet does have the tabs connected to the safety ground (green wire). To get one with the tabs not connected to the ground wire, you need one of the "isolated ground" outlets I mentioned above. That is the difference.

 

[TRMark]

I like the air outlet idea. A friend allowed me to work at his body shop for several months, he does a lot of restorations, really nice stuff. I liked using air tools, so I now have them.

As far as the electrical outlet situation. I decided to use standard heavy duty outlets, but I am mounting them in a heavy duty plastic (not the blue one) box to isolate them. I figured that would be cheaper than using the special outlet, if I could even find them around here. I am using a shortened three wire extension cord to connect the welding table outlets to the shop outlet.

Thanks for the suggestions. I already used the table to complete a welding project, I should have built one years ago.