| Author |
Message |
    
jeffl
Citizen
Username: Jeffl
Post Number: 201
Registered: 8-2001
| | Posted on Thursday, November 13, 2003 - 10:57 am: |     |
I have an outlet that was installed for a massive window air conditioner. It has one of those funky shapes for more powerful appliances. Is that 220? At any rate, I don't need it any more but could use a regular outlet there. Is that easy to convert or do I need an electrician?
Sincerely,
Ready to Hurt Myself |
jgberkeley
Supporter
Username: Jgberkeley
Post Number: 3312
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Thursday, November 13, 2003 - 12:17 pm: | |
It is easy to convert. No you do not need an electrician, unless you are not experienced working with wiring. |
TomR
Citizen
Username: Tomr
Post Number: 58
Registered: 6-2001
| | Posted on Thursday, November 13, 2003 - 12:56 pm: | |
In addition to changing the outlet, doesn't the voltage reduction have to be done at the electrical service panel?
TomR. |
jgberkeley
Supporter
Username: Jgberkeley
Post Number: 3315
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Thursday, November 13, 2003 - 1:33 pm: | |
Well yes and no.
At the breaker panel you will find a special breaker for the 220 line.
Likely you will have a black and a red wire on the breaker feeding out to the outlet box.
All you have to do is open the breaker, remove the red and the black wire. Attach the black wire to a free 110 V breaker and tape off and store the red wire.
In the outlet box, remove the 220 V outlet, tape off and store the red wire, attach the white, black and ground wires, and you are all set. |
MSB
Citizen
Username: Msb
Post Number: 11
Registered: 6-2003
| | Posted on Thursday, November 13, 2003 - 1:58 pm: | |
Jeff, I'll keep an eye out for the smoke coming out of your basement window!!! |
tourne
Citizen
Username: Tourne
Post Number: 231
Registered: 1-2003
| | Posted on Thursday, November 13, 2003 - 4:33 pm: | |
How about putting two 120 volt outlets in the same box to replace the 240 volt outlet. Red to one outlet, black to the other, white and ground to both? |
jgberkeley
Supporter
Username: Jgberkeley
Post Number: 3319
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Thursday, November 13, 2003 - 4:53 pm: | |
Tourne,
Now that would be a violation of the code. You can not split a circuit breaker in that manner. |
tjohn
Citizen
Username: Tjohn
Post Number: 1881
Registered: 12-2001
| | Posted on Thursday, November 13, 2003 - 5:48 pm: | |
George,
Not even with a GFCI outlet?  |
NRL
Citizen
Username: Nrl
Post Number: 308
Registered: 8-2003
| | Posted on Thursday, November 13, 2003 - 5:58 pm: | |
Tjohn,
LOL |
wharfrat
Citizen
Username: Wharfrat
Post Number: 839
Registered: 6-2001
| | Posted on Thursday, November 13, 2003 - 6:36 pm: | |
One caveat regarding all the useful advice-
If the 220 line is larger than 20a then the wire gauge will be larger than #12. Just try bending that around the terminals, or using the quick contacts!  |
jgberkeley
Supporter
Username: Jgberkeley
Post Number: 3320
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Thursday, November 13, 2003 - 9:41 pm: | |
Wharfrat, good point.
But if you find that, connect some #12 to the larger wire with the correct size wire nut. Then use the #12 to connect to the terminals of the outlet.
Tjohn, that was funny but not very nice. At least Tourne does the research and is not afraid of posting an opinion.
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