Carefully cutting a hole in the drywall to receive the outlet.Removing all obstructing objects like furniture, cabinets, and shelves.Determining of the best location for the new 240v outlet.Installation of 240 volt outlets usually includes the following steps:
Three prong 240 volt plug professional#
So installation of wiring and outlets should be performed by licensed professional electricians. With 240 volt plug wiring and outlets, as we mentioned earlier, the circuitry and number of wires are different, and the fire hazard and chance of severe shock are greater. But before you begin any 240v electrical projects in your home, you should have a professional check to see whether it’s single or 3 phase. Usually, 240v 3 phase is reserved for commercial applications and single phase for residential uses. A 3 phase plug, though, has three “hot” wires delivering power, generally more power than single phase. With respect to 240 volt matters, you may have heard the terms “single phase” and “3 phase.” These are very different electrical animals and call for different approaches.Īs we mentioned above, a 240v single phase plug has two “hot” wires delivering power. That’s why it’s always best to call on the services of a reputable, licensed electrician for 240 volt problems and repairs. This, then, prevents a power overload to your 120v appliance and the possibility of a fire. You can’t plug a 120v appliance in to a 240v outlet because the hole configuration won’t allow it. Most outlets for four-prong 240v single phase plugs have that same configuration with the addition of a lower half-circle-shaped hole.Īnd all of this is for safety’s sake. Three-prong outlets, then, commonly have a top receiving hole shaped like a backwards “L” and two diagonal holes lower down and toward the sides. The outlets and plugs themselves are larger than 120v ones and have at least three (sometimes four) differently shaped holes and prongs. This is more complicated than 120v wiring and is best left to the professionals. These wires are then connected to a two-pole breaker at the circuit panel in your breaker box – basically just two 120v single-pole breakers wired together. These two “hot” wires deliver the 120 volts twice for a total of 240 volts. And the white wire, the neutral, completes the circuit, with the green or bare wire simply being a ground.īut 240 volt plug wiring has instead of a white neutral wire an additional “hot” that is usually red or blue. The outlets and plugs for 120v appliances have, as we mentioned, three wires, but only one of these is “hot” – that is, actually carrying electric current – and is usually blue or black in color. These appliances include ovens and ranges, dryers, water heaters, air conditioners, furnaces, and welders. (Newer homes with newer 240 volt plug wiring will have outlets and plugs with four wires, which includes a ground for greater safety and reduced fire hazard.) Larger appliances, especially those equipped with an electric motor, simply run more efficiently with a 240 volt power supply.
So your 240v receptacles have two 120v wires supplying power along with a neutral wire. Delivering higher voltage and more power and having more wires, 240v outlets are a little different.īasically, two 120v circuits 180 degrees out of phase are connected together, hence the 240 volts, for twice the electrical power without the need for increasing wire size. You’re probably familiar with the standard and more common 120v outlet (sometimes known as 110v) that you plug your phone charger, TV, computer, toaster, vacuum cleaner, and coffeemaker into. What Is a 240 Volt Outlet and Why Is It Different?
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