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Is it 220 volt or 240 volt?
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Difference between 220 volt and
240 volt Is it 220 volt or 240 volt? E-mail: geno03245w@gmail.com |
| Use only 600 volt wire. Lamp cord, extension cords are not rated 600 volt. Use copper wire only. Aluminum wire is fire risk and should be avoided or installed by professional. 30 amp breaker use 10 gauge / 120-240 volt 30 amp outlet can be installed on 30 amp breaker only/ use 10 gauge wire ... cannot be connected to 15-20-40 amp breaker.  Orange/ #10 gauge wire, with ground ... 30 amp capacity. Safe maximum: 30 x 80% = 24 amps. Buy: 10-2 gauge/ 30 amp 10-3/ 30 amp Southwire electric tools |
Yellow
12 gauge 20 amp 120 volt 20 amp outlet can be installed on 20 amp breaker, but not 15 amp breaker/ use 12 ga wire. ... cannot be connected to 30-40 amp breaker. 1  Yellow/ #12 gauge wire, with ground ... 20 amp capacity. Safe maximum 16 amps. Buy: 12-2 gauge/ 20 amp 12-3/ 20 amp NMB is house wiring UF is underground Rolls of stranded wire HOOK UP Wires |
White
14 gauge 15 amp 120 volt 15 amp outlet, AFCI, GFCI, timer, switch etc can be installed on 15 or 20 amp breaker. Never connect 15 gauge wire to 20-30-40 amp breaker.  White/ #14 gauge wire, with ground ... 15 amp capacity. Safe maximum 12 amps. Buy: 14-2 gauge/ 15 amp 14-3/ 15 amp NMB is house wiring UF is underground |
| 50-60
amp breaker use 6 gauge / 240 volt 50 outlet can be installed on 50 amp breaker only  Buy: 6-2 wire Southwire electric tools NMB is house wiring UF is underground |
40-50
amp breaker use 8 gauge / 240 volt 40 amp outlet can be installed on 40 or 50 amp breaker only  Buy: 8-2 wire Southwire electric tools NMB is house wiring UF is underground |
  Copper ground wire. Every device, load, metal enclosure etc must be grounded. Ground wire must be continuous throughout installation, never switched on-off, never used as a Neutral wire. Generally ... use same size as other wire in circuit Buy: 12 gauge copper ground wire Ground wire Green ground wire Ground pigtails Ground rods/ ground clamps at Amazon |
 Non metallic flexible cables must carry ground wire, but do not have hazard of short circuit causing injury from shock. Armored steel cable can be used as a grounded connection, and will protect wires from damage. Metal can be energized from an insulation failure. All conduit ...metal, plastic ... flexible and rigid ... must be attached to structure, and attached to enclosures, boxes. Movement, damage and deterioration are major cause of electrical failure. Buy: Non-metallic flexible conduit Power whip Armored cable Southwire armored cable cutter Pull boxes |
 Electrical tools must be insulated. Always best to disconnect power, but insulation failure, lack of proper grounding, grounded neutral, lack of GFCI, out-of-code wiring, generator operating without transfer switch, and other problems still pose a risk to anyone working on electric power ... even when breaker is off. Buy: Electrician tools kits KLEIN TOOLS Tools kits IRWIN tools KNIPEX Telephone cable knife Low Voltage Mounting Bracket for Telephone |
 600 volt 12 ga Stranded wire ot THHN wire is good for conduit with multiple wires ... but stranded cannot be installed under screw terminals on outlets, switches, timers etc without risk ... of heat causing splayed strands ....that come loose ... and begin to arc. Connect stranded to short piece of solid copper wire, and attach solid to screw terminal. Do not solder residential or commercial wiring. Project wire, extension cords, thermostat, bell and automotive wire are not rated for residential or commercial wiring. Only wire maked 600 volt can be used for permanent household wiring. Buy: Southwire 600 volt stranded wire Rolls of stranded wire HOOK UP Wires |
 Protect wiring from damage Use nipper instead of pliers or screwdriver for removing staples (and nails). Do not damage cable or wires inside cable. -Code says: Cable SHALL BE secured without damage to the outer covering. NEC sec. 336-15 Buy End cutting nippers at Amazon |
  Electrically insulated tools When removing insulation from wire, do NOT score or put cuts on surface of copper wire. Doing so increases resistance and heat on wire and creates possible weak point. Buy tools: KLEIN TOOLS Wire strippers at Amazon Electric Wire Stripping Machine Linesman pliers Utility knife at Amazon |
 Multimeters Voltage is tested across two separate wires. Ohms or resistance is tested across both ends of same wire. Amperage is tested along one or two points on same wire. Buy: Analog multimeter Multimeters at Amazon Klein multimeter Electric testers at Amazon Clampmeter for testing amp flow on line |
 GFCI circuit breaker A GFCI circuit breaker will protect all boxes on circuit. Circuit must be grounded. Ground wire must be continuous and connected to each piece of equipment. White wire on circuit breaker must be connected to Neutral busbar inside the breaker panel. Buy GFCI circuit breakers |
Push down 1" wide Push down breaker Plug-in breaker Buy single-pole: Choose from 15 to 60 amp Eaton CL series Siemens 15-60 amp Single-pole tandem breaker Tandem breakers |
Push down 2" wide Push down breaker Plug-in breakers Buy double-pole: Choose from 15 to 125 amp Choose from 15 amp to 200 amp Eaton CL series circuit breaker Siemens circuit breaker Double pole GFCI |
Many people in the US say 110 and
220 volts. Is that right?  It's common to hear 110 and 220 and most
people in the electric trades
understand what the person means, and don't correct the small error.At one time, I used to say 110 and 220 myself, but learned by reading and looking at product labels, and testing. Answer Today in the US the correct voltage is 120 and 240, as can be seen on many product labels like water heaters. Check it with a multimeter. I use analog multimeter because it's cheap and simple, and then tape tester leads to wood sticks for safety. Buy: Analog Multimeter Digital multimeter:  How do we know 120-240 volt is
true?Because the manuals
and resources from Leviton show 120-240 volt.
All Intermatic, Tork, GE, Sylvania, etc timer manuals show 120-240 volt. Square D, Siemens, etc ... all the major circuit breaker and service panel (breaker box) manufacturer spec sheets show 120-240. Commercial transformer manuals that depict the electric grid for commercial electricians show 120-240 volt as a standard voltage. No product label or manual shows 110 or 220 volt. Check in your own home by looking at labels on each electric device. Buy a plug or switch at local box store, and it shows 120 volt (some switches show 120-277, with 277 being a standard commercial voltage) ... never 110 volt. What is 277 volt Fact is ... 120 and
240 volt are standard voltages in the US.
Voltages are standardized so that appliances and electrical devices can be mass produced, and allow more universal application of electrical codes. Also note that all power plants are connected with each other as a supply and reliability backstop, so shortages/ outages in one area can be supplied from other sources, and emergency crews can be dispatched across country to rebuild grid infrastructure following natural disaster. |
 Voltage limits for US110 and 220 volts show on chart in range B, and are the lowest voltage that a standard or Nominal voltage can reach before appliances and equipment can malfunction. For example a motor that receives undervoltage will overheat. Continual undeevoltage and motor will burn out. Resource: How to wire voltage monitor Buy: Single phase 95-270 volt range 3-phase 80-300 volt range ICM phase monitor Siemens monitoring relay |
 240 volt appliances, motors, HVAC
etc will show 240 voltImage on left is label from 240 volt electric water heater. Resource: Figure volts amps watts for water heater Check rating label on HVAC unit, or electric clothes dryer, electric water heater, or 240 volt window air conditioner. None of these loads will show 220 volt on the label. All will show 240 volt. 240 volt rating is standard. Recently I saw a rating plate with 236 volts. Many 240 volt loads also show 208 volt, which is not typical single-phase household voltage, but instead is another standard, and common, voltage that comes from 3-phase found in some commercial applications, apartment buildings etc. Resources: What is 208 volt Difference single-phase and 3-phase  |
But my appliance label says 115
to 125 volt It
is common to have appliance labels that show 115 to 125 volt. The refrigerator label to right shows 115 volts. -More
detail: Label also shows 1 phase... indicating single-phase that is
typically found in residential electric service, requiring 1 Hot and 1
Neutral wire ... 60 Hz indicating unit is made for US grid ...
and
the 'full load' amp rating, or amps consumed during normal operation
... or the minimum amps needed to continue operation of refrigerator
... lets you calculate approx watt or power
consumption using basic formula: Volts x Amps = Watts
Today, most refrigerators and small home appliances have a label that shows 115 to 125 volt. Some just show 115 volt. Same with timers, and many other small electrical devices. The average of 115 to 125 is ..... 120 V. The label acknowledges that voltage varies at every home and business. This means that your 120 volt output can be higher or lower than the 120 average. At my house the voltage is 122 volt. I used a kilowatt meter, and observed the voltage etc  Buy:Kilowatt hour meter  Your
240 V circuit might test
236 volts or 250 V.Buy: Analog Multimeter Digital multimeter Typically, the household voltage is steady but can experience brief changes and spikes. The 115-125 rating plate on appliances reveals there is a realistic operating range for each appliance. If voltage falls below 115 or rises above 125, then the appliance might not function as expected ...but usually no effect is observed. The threshold where appliances and motors begin to fail is around 80% of rated voltage. Some product manuals for commercial equipment say 5-10% lower or higher will cause malfunction. If voltage drops too low, then the motor cannot maintain speed, and will begin to overheat, and eventually fail. Voltage monitors are installed to offset this problem for expensive commercial equipment like 3-phase motors, HVAC etc. Or install voltage monitor on your own pumps and motors etc. Available for both commercial 3-phase and residential single-phase. Resource: How to wire voltage monitor Difference between single-phase and 3-phase Spikes in voltages, or surge events caused by inductive motor loads and lightning strikes etc, are handled using surge protection. A circuit can have multiple surge protection devices. The closer the surge protection is located to load (motor, HVAC, planer, power vented water heater, computer etc), the better it protects Resource: \How to wire surge protection Voltage drop, and overvoltage underscores the importance of grid 'reliability,' since so much of modern life is electrified. |
Concern over voltage that is too
high or too low might arise if
appliances fail
frequently or throw errors etc.  But more likely those problems arise
from -reversed polarity
(reversal of hot and neutral in the circuit) Buy:
Outlet
tester
-lack of ground wire, disconnected ground wire Resource: Why you need ground wire -line noise, RF (radio frequency) interference, -wire is too small for distance from main breaker box etc. (over 100', use next larger size wire) Match wire and breaker size -surge caused by motor start up on same circuit (consider dedicated circuit) Dedicated circuit -nearby lightning strikes, -lack of surge protector, (it is ok to have multiple surge protectors on same circuit) How to wire surge -frequent power outages, faulty breaker, undersized breaker, loose wire on breaker -faulty outlet, loose wiring, short circuit, rodent damage, nail or staple cut into wire -loose wire connections inside a box -the appliance is plugged into extension cord or module, instead of directly plugged into outlet -overused and worn, or cheap outlet instead of higher quality  -overheated
wires, non-code aluminum wiring, use of quick connect on back of
outlets instead of screw terminals, stranded wire under screw terminals
instead of solid copper.-multiple GFCI on same circuit can cause tripping and errors (max 1 GFCI per circuit) How to wire GFCI -power vented, and flue dampered water heaters and other devices that use ground wire as part of electronic control system, specify no GFCI. This information will appear in manual if GFCI will cause errors or erratic operation. Always read product manual. A surge protection outlet is recommended vs a plug-in surge module ... surge outlet is correct choice for reliable electrical connection. Buy: Surge outlet |
| 220 volt is a real voltage ...
but not in the US Worldwide voltages vary by each country. And 220 V is an actual voltage found in Australia and possibly other countries. For Australia, the 220 V requires one hot and one neutral. 230 volt In Great Britain and numerous other countries, a standard voltage is 230 V, requiring one hot and one neutral. Hot-Neutral vs Hot-Hot While 220 is real in different parts of the world, it is accomplished using 1 hot and 1 neutral, while in the US the 240 volt is accomplished using 2 hot wires. It probably gets down to how each country's electric grid evolved since it was first implemented. The history of that would be a virtual history of the modern world since around 1900. |
 Imported electrical devices are frequently rated 220 volt ... note also that the frequency or Hz is 50-60 to meet worldwide electric grid. Frequency is the number of rotations per second that the electric generator spins. In the US and Americas, the standard is 60 Hz. While Great Britain, Australia and rest of the world operate at 50 Hz. American appliances that are rated 60 Hz will not function in Australia, nor will 50 Hz Australian appliances work reliability with 60 Hz electricity. Many devices are rated 50-60 Hz so they can be sold worldwide. This is common when ordering small electrical devices online that are made in other countries and shipped to US. This photoeye coincidently arrived at my house the day after starting to write this webpage. Will the 220 volt work on 240 volt line?? Probably yes. The difference is 9% of rated voltage, and if device is not subject to heavy loads, continual usage, and the actual customer voltage is near 240 (and not 250 volt), then the device will most likely function as expected. Will it last at 240 volt? Probably not as well as using a device that is rated for 240V. I'm going to return the item ... and order Intermatic or Tork photoeye that is rated for the 240 volt US market instead of relying on lesser quality. A correct and safe install is always best. Buy Intermatic photoeye Tork photoeye Photo controls |
 Where does 120 volt come from?120 volts, like all voltages is a product of the grid. Electricity is goverened by complex mathematics and physical effects, with humans using the information to build generators that produce electricity, and then balancing grid costs vs reliability to the customer. The power plant generator might produce 30,000 volts, but in a highly ordered process of transmission and distribution utilizing a series of step-down transformers, the voltage that arrives inside each home is a much lower and safer 120-240 V. -So 120 volt results from how the power company sets up the grid to supply standard voltages.... and exactly what electric 'service' is installed at each location. -120-240 is a typical residential single-phase service that comes from a single transformer located near home. -But also, 120 volts can be available at commercial buildings that receive 208 or high-leg 3-phase service. Resources: Difference single-phase and 3-phase What is 208 volt What is high leg Delta -More detail: No matter if incoming service is residential single-phase or commercial 3-phase, all 120 volt circuits are single-phase requiring a 2-wire connection (plus ground) ... even if the power originates from a buck boost transformer that takes 240 or other voltage and steps down to 120 volt, in which case the 120 volt is still single-phase. Ground wire MUST be connected to ensure safety and reliability. Why you need ground wire |
|
Multimeter Test for breaks in wire/ Test for voltage Most appliance require 80% rated voltage to function correctly Buy Analog multimeter Multimeters at Amazon Klein multimeter Electric testers at Amazon Clampmeter for testing amp flow on line Resource: How to test and replace element How to test thermocouple Element tests for 120 volts How to test wire |
 Safety when testing wires: Never touch wet or previously flooded appliance. Never stand on wet surface when working on electric. Never stand on bare soil, put down dry boards. Tape tester leads to wood sticks to keep hands away from power. Use non-contact voltage tester before touching wires. Never touch or lean into any made of metal. Remove metal objects from pockets. Do not use oxygen or fuel accelerants in same room as electrical repairs Resource: Basic house wiring |
 Non-contact voltage tester Test for power without touching connectors NEVER assume power is OFF Buy: Non-contact voltage tester Amazon Electric testers at Amazon Resource: How to test electric power is off |
 120 volt 15 amp devices
including GFCI, timers, switches, plugs, wifi controls etc can be
installed on 15 or 20
amp
breaker.120 volt GFCI, outlet, receptacle that is rated 20 amp can be installed on 20 amp breaker only, but NOT on 15 amp breaker. Buy 15 amp GFCI 20 amp GFCI  |
Buy Basic electric book Home plumbing/ electrical codes  Or learn about basic household electricity... use and search my site/ Resource Safe electric wiring Basic house wiring |
Use outlet tester to check for correct wiring on any 120 volt straight-blade outlet. Buy: Klein testers Outlet tester Circuit breaker finder Electric usage monitor |
Non metallic flexible cables must carry ground wire, but do not have hazard of short circuit causing injury from shock. Armored steel cable can be used as a grounded connection, and will protect wires from damage. Metal can be energized from an insulation failure. All conduit ...metal, plastic ... flexible and rigid ... must be attached to structure, and attached to enclosures, boxes. Movement, damage and deterioration are major cause of electrical failure. Buy: Non-metallic flexible conduit Power whip Armored cable Southwire armored cable cutter Pull boxes |
Electrical tools must be insulated. Always best to disconnect power, but insulation failure, lack of proper grounding, grounded neutral, lack of GFCI, out-of-code wiring, generator operating without transfer switch, and other problems still pose a risk to anyone working on electric power ... even when breaker is off. Buy: Electrician tools kits KLEIN TOOLS Tools kits IRWIN tools KNIPEX |
Connect wire to screw terminal Use only 600 volt solid copper wire. Do not use stranded wire or extension cord. Do not use solder anywhere on residential 120-240 volt wiring. Attach electric installation to structure. Tighten screws very tight against wire.  Buy: NEC books Dewalt plumbing/ electrical codes Basic electric book National electric code guide/ illustrated Resources: How to twist wire How to select and install twist-on wire connectors |
 Weatherproof
lever switch on outdoor lightsSafely operate outdoor toggle switch Replaces outdoor cover Install over top of ordinary switch Works with single-pole, double-pole, 3PST, 3-way, 4-way switches etc Use weatherproof box for outdoor Can be used indoor or outdoor Buy: Best choice: Cantex lever switch Outdoor lever switches at Amazon Lever switches Resource Cantex-toggle-switch-covers.pdf Cantex-PVC-junction-boxes.pdf |
Buy: |
Push-on wire connectors in place of twist-on connectorsBuy:Push on wire connectors Amazon Red 3P connector for 10-14 gauge wire Lever connectors for stranded wire at Amazon |
Use nipper instead of pliers or screwdriver for removing staples (and nails). Do not damage cable or wires inside cable. Code -Cable SHALL BE secured without damage to the outer covering. NEC sec. 336-15 Buy End cutting nippers at Amazon |
 When removing insulation from wire, do NOT score or put cuts on surface of copper wire. Doing so increases resistances on wire and creates weak point. Buy tools: Wire strippers at Amazon Linesman pliers Pro linesman plier Needle nose pliers End cutting nippers at Amazon |
 6" Pull box Junction boxes for conduit and wiring Buy: Bud industries 6x6x4 best value/ no KO Raco 6x6x4 metal pull box Wiegman 6x6x4 pull box Hoffman 6x6x4 pull box Adamax raintight enclosure Raintight 6x6x4 box Pull boxes Buy: Pull boxes Polycarbonite boxes Resource: Enclosures and boxes |
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Buy Electronic parts Industrial supplies Tools and home improvement Home and garden Hayward pool Pentair pool Southwire electric |
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Buy
Tools DEWALT Black and Decker Stanley SKIL Makita Porter-Cable Bosch Irwin Hand tools Klein hand tools Fluke electrical testing Dremel hobby tools Campbell Hausfeld air powered Tekton automotive Powerbuilt automotive Saws and saw blades |
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Resource: Compare box timers DPDT timers Intermatic Control water heater w/ Z-wave |
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Resource: Intermatic control centers: and parts Digital control centers and parts Tork control centers and parts Subpanels All control centers and parts Enclosures |
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Resource: Programmable timers Countdown timers Off delay timers On delay timers Timer modules Din rail Twin & one-shot Woods Intermatic Tork |
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Recirculation systems |
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