Is Nema 10-50 illegal?

[Quattrohead]

It is unsafe when your piece of equipment is connected to the two lines and the metal case of the equipment is connect to the 3rd pin.

How is it unsafe ? If either line touches the case, the breaker will trip. Is that 3rd line a neutral or ground ???
Yes stealing a ground to provide the neutral for 120v split phase is nasty, that is why we now separate them out. The USA system is a mess but nothing can be done now.
Yes it can be done more safely but it is not inherently dangerous.

 

[time2roll]

How is it unsafe ? If either line touches the case, the breaker will trip. Is that 3rd line a neutral or ground ???
Yes stealing a ground to provide the neutral for 120v split phase is nasty, that is why we now separate them out. The USA system is a mess but nothing can be done now.
Yes it can be done more safely but it is not inherently dangerous.

Seems to answer your own question. There is something we can do.... stop installing new or maintaining old 10-50 connectors as provided by code.
Yes unfortunately our culture enjoys being "grandfathered" into the old rules and are a bit smug about perpetuating the older less safe systems.