12/3 wire for 220?

Question

Can I use 12/3 wire for 220V (for a dryer or welder)? I think so but I'm asking just to be sure..... Any electric people please advise. Thanx!

Answer 1

Basically, 12 ga./3 is OK...But it's even better with 10 ga./3.  

I would use 10 ga/3 for the welder.  Some welders recomends to use the 10 ga.

Answer 2

12-3 is rated at 20 amp 10-3 is 30 amp a dryer wuold probably work but read the nameplate and if irs under 20a ok.

Answer 3

If your dryer or welder are designed to be used on a 20 amp circuit, yes.  However, every 220/240 volt clothes drier I've run into requires a 30 amp circuit, which means you must use 10/3 wire.

Answer 4

No! you will burn your house down.  Do not use 12/3 wire for your dryer. The wire will not carry the load. I think dryer pulls about 25 amps of current.

Answer 5

robertdr60's answer was precisely correct. Ignore the other two answers. There isn't a dryer in the world that is less than 30 amps, including most stacking units. If that dryer says that it is rated for 30 amps forget about that 12/3 wire, you'll need 10/3.

12/3 is only good up to 20 amps.

Don't play around with this stuff, if you include some wiring that does not meet code and your house should catch fire and an insurance inspector identifies some non-code wiring, they could refuse your claim and leave you holding the bag.