Splitting a 120v circuit off of 240v
Jamshed Mulla
9 years ago
Featured Answer
Sort by:Oldest
Comments (22)
Ron Natalie
9 years agoweedmeister
9 years agolast modified: 9 years agoRelated Discussions
120V for @240V water heater
Comments (26)It sounds to me that the person asking the questions does not understand enough about wiring to do this safely and should get someone that knows what they are doing to help. Even if one does not get a shock or worst setting it up, there is always the fire hazard. Based on what I read so far, if he switches the elements to 3500's and they only run one at a time, then the 12/2 wire would be just fine and this is the way I have seen many a water heater installed. The thing I did not care for is the use of two single 20 amp breakers for a 240v load. Code requires the breakers to be tied together so that both trip if one trips. If he gets the correct breaker, this should be safe. Static...See MoreHow to run a 240v pump from 120v?
Comments (20)You do not need a center tap, just a plain old 120 V to 240 V transformer that is large enough. I really doubt the ratings on that site also. They may be using an auto-transformer winding style, and these can have problems with large loads. An auto-transformer would need to be seriously oversize for an induction motor load. There are a number of sites that seem to think US 240 V is some weird thing. We use an Edison circuit to limit the voltage to 120 V to ground, while still having 240 V available for larger loads. It is NOT two phases. It is single phase power. Anyone that thinks the two legs are phases is using sloppy jargon or does not understand how the system works. Two phase power has bee tried. The phases are 90 degrees apart and it requires four wires. Three phase power has the phases 120 degrees apart, and can get by with just 3 wires (delta connection) but often uses four (Y connection) in case the phase currents do not sum to zero. The forth wire can carry the mismatch between the phase currents and prevent circulating currents that can play havoc with distribution ransomers. 3-phase power is especially good for running large induction motors. No start windings, start capacitors, start switches are required, or flywheel effect to keep the motor turning. A 3-phase motor has a large starting torque as soon as power is applied, unlike a single phase motor....See MoreConvert 240v to 120v outlet
Comments (5)Sure, converting a dedicated former 220v range circuit down to 120v is definitely possible. You MUST make changes at the breaker box, do not simply change the outlet itself to a standard 120v outlet without changing from the current double pole breaker to a single pole breaker... you will burn out the entire electrical system/electronics of the new gas range! Some 240v circuits use only two wires and others use 3, If yours has 3, one wire should stay on the neutral bar in the panel and one wire to the new single pole breaker. the third wire will not be used anymore and can be curled up and capped inside the panel. If you have a 2 wire circuit, then detach both wires from the current 2 pole breaker and place one on the neutral bar and the other to the single pole breaker. When changing the outlet in the kitchen, the color of the wire (usually red or black) that you have attached to the single pole breaker will go to the brass colored screw on the new 120v outlet and the wire you have attached to the neutral bar (usually white) should go on the silver screw of the 120v outlet. The wire you capped in the panel will also be capped in the outlet box since it is now "dead". Now for location...if the existing outlet if fed from below and you will be moving it lower to the floor, you should be fine since you will have enough slack in the wires, however if the opposite is the case you more than likely will need to run new wires. Good luck....See More120V and 240V appear to co-mingle
Comments (7)First you said the 240 circuit has a hot and a neutral mixed into another circuit, yet when you turned off the 2 pole breaker the 120 loads still work? This makes no sense. This could be a legitimate setup that you do not understand or it could be hack, very hard for us to tell over the internet and even harder for a novice to try and figure out. The others are correct that a 240 circuit does not need a neutral, also how did you determine it was a neutral? Just because it is white does not necessarily mean it is neutral. Maybe it is part of the thermostat wiring, or maybe it is a neutral and continues on to another heater that is 120 volts. I am going to suggest that you get an electrician in there to help you out just so nothing bad happens. This post was edited by joefixit2 on Fri, Sep 5, 14 at 10:00...See MoreJamshed Mulla
9 years agolast modified: 9 years agoRon Natalie
9 years agoJamshed Mulla
9 years agolast modified: 9 years agoRon Natalie
9 years agoJamshed Mulla
9 years agolast modified: 9 years agoRon Natalie
9 years agoJamshed Mulla
9 years agolast modified: 9 years agoRon Natalie
9 years agoJamshed Mulla
9 years agolast modified: 9 years agoRon Natalie
9 years agoJamshed Mulla
9 years agolast modified: 9 years agoRon Natalie
9 years agoPyewacket
9 years agolast modified: 9 years agoRon Natalie
9 years agoRon Natalie
9 years agobus_driver
9 years agolast modified: 9 years agoPyewacket
7 years agoJamshed Mulla
7 years agoRon Natalie
7 years agolast modified: 7 years ago
Related Stories
GREEN BUILDINGOff the Grid: Ready to Pull the Plug on City Power?
What to consider if you want to stop relying on public utilities — or just have a more energy-efficient home
Full StoryLIFE6 Ways to Cool Off Without Air Conditioning
These methods can reduce temperatures in the home and save on energy bills
Full StoryLIFEHouse Rule: Off With Your Shoes
Do you prefer your guests to go shoeless in your house? Here are some ways to encourage stockinged feet
Full StoryMOST POPULARHouzz Tour: Going Off the Grid in 140 Square Feet
WIth $40,000 and a vision of living more simply, a California designer builds her ‘forever’ home — a tiny house on wheels
Full StoryREMODELING GUIDES5 Trade-Offs to Consider When Remodeling Your Kitchen
A kitchen designer asks big-picture questions to help you decide where to invest and where to compromise in your remodel
Full StoryMOST POPULARDesign Debate: Is It OK to Hang the TV Over the Fireplace?
In the spirit of the upcoming political debates, we kick off a series of conversations on hotly contested design topics
Full StoryTASTEMAKERSNew Series to Give a Glimpse of Life ‘Unplugged’
See what happens when city dwellers relocate to off-the-grid homes in a new show premiering July 29. Tell us: Could you pack up urban life?
Full StoryPRODUCT PICKSGuest Picks: Score Points With a Minecraft-Inspired Bedroom
Get rave reviews from your kids with bedroom furniture and accessories that stave off zombies and have winning style
Full StoryWORKING WITH PROSInside Houzz: No More Bumper Cars in This Remodeled Kitchen
More space, more storage, and the dogs can stretch out now too. A designer found on Houzz creates a couple's just-right kitchen
Full StoryHouzzLenz: The New Way to See Your Home
This amazing new technology promises to revolutionize home design. Here’s how it works
Full StorySponsored
More Discussions
Pyewacket