Albert wrote:

I have a 60 amp circuit with a single outlet (I believe an L5-50) that
I use for my welder. I want to add a second outlet to this circuit so
that I don't have to keep unplugging/plugging when I want to use
another welder. I won't be using both welders at the same time. The
conductors are 6 gauge. Normally I would use some wire nuts but I
can't find any that are rated to hold three 6 gauge conductors. The
home centers in my area have big blue wire nuts that can only hold two
6 gauge wires. They also have split bolts. Can I use these? Do I
just strip the middle of one wire and the end of the other wire, then
insert them into the split bolt? Then wrap with electrical tape? I'm
a bit leery of a 208V, 60A circuit insulated with electrical tape. Is
shrink tube any safer? Finding a shrink tube with diameter greater
than the length of the split bolt might be tricky. Are these split
bolts only intended for ground conductors?

I would add another circuit except my panel is completely full.

Any ideas? Thanks.



Put the first layer of vinyl electrical tape upside down with the sticky
side up. If you ever want to add or open the splice you will know why.
Then use splicing tape to build up the insulation to three times the
thickness of the present insulation on the wires. Make sure you have no
sharp wire ends that will pierce the insulation. A final layer of vinyl
tape on top of the splicing tape will keep the splicing tape from
sticking to everything else in the box. The split nuts should be
torqued to the proper value. Also let them sit a while and torque them
again. The copper tends to cold flow and retorquing can save you some
headaches down the road. The split nuts are rated for a certain wire
size and number of wires. The rating is stamped or molded on the split nut.

John