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Questions tagged [240v]

For questions dealing with 240 volt electrical circuits, devices, and equipment. This tag covers the similar voltages as well (i.e. 220, 230, etc), since they generally refer to the same thing. Use with the [electrical] tag.

240 V is a common voltage used in residential systems. In some parts of the world (most notably Europe), 240 V is provided for all receptacles. In the United States (and those countries who use the 120 V US standard) it is achieved by using both ungrounded (hot) legs of a 120/240 V single split phase system. This voltage is sometimes referred to as 220 V and 230 V as well, due to the changing of voltage standards over time (see this question for a fuller explanation).

Many larger electrical appliances use 240 V, including

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Why Do 240V Circuits Not Require Neutral?

Someone told me that a 240V circuit does not require a neutral wire in the cable. Can anyone explain this phenomenon from the electricity perspective and generally explain why circuits do and do not need a neutral wire?
amphibient
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Why am I getting an electric shock from the water in my hot tub?

I have noticed that when I touch the water of my Hot Tub when I am grounded (barefoot standing outside of tub) I am getting a very small electric shock. Using a multimeter it is reading 2Vac between the water and the ground outside. I have an RCD…
Lee
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240v Outlet with 120v and 215v - How?

Ok this is a weird one and maybe I just don't understand how mains work (though I feel I have a good enough knowledge to stay safe and do basic breaker work & wiring). Buddy moved into a new shop and he called me to wire in a 240 plug into a closed…
Skinner927
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240 V dryer outlet is reading 245 V

My 30 A dryer outlet reads 122 and 123 V on my multimeter (a total of 245 V). Will this be a problem for a new modern dryer if it is higher than 240 V? It is a three prong outlet.
user129694
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240 V outlet is not delivering 240 V

I recently moved into an apartment with a 3-prong, NEMA 10-30 outlet. It looks like this: I bought an old dryer that I confirmed was working before purchasing it and hooked it up and unfortunately the dryer never heated up. I suspected something…
Clicquot the Dog
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If my 240v cooktop does not have a neutral, is it safe just to cap the neutral and leave it?

I bought a cooktop which has 3 wires: Black Red Green The wiring in my home is 4 wires: Black Red White Bare I saw the instruction for 3-wire to 4-wire connection, it states to leave the white neutral wire alone. Is it safe to do so? Without…
movila
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Splitting a 240V line into two 120V lines

In my garage I have wiring for a 240V outlet. It is a four-wire setup (two hots, one neutral and one ground). It is set up on a 20 ampere double breaker in the circuit breaker box. I want to remove that outlet and install two 120V receptacles in its…
Kevin Bright
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Should my 240v electric stove be grounded to the neutral like this?

I have an induction cooktop/stove in a California condo built in 2011-2012. Recently, I had to pull the cooktop electrical and discovered that the stove has a 3 wire harness (red, black, yellow/green). The building has 4 wires (red, black,…
James
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Confusion over 220 and 230 volt outlets

We have a 220 outlet for our A/C. We are shopping for a new unit and all I am see is 230 volts on the units. Will we have to rewire with a new outlet for a new A/C?
Shelia Abshire
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Is it safe to use two single-pole breakers for a 240 V circuit?

I recently had an electrician come out and replace my electric panel. He seemed very knowledgeable and overall appears to have done a good job, even went through and labelled most of the panel... Except for three breakers at the bottom of the…
schizoid04
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What's the difference between three phase 240 V and standard household 240 V?

I don't understand the difference between household 240 and 3 phase 240. Isn't household 240 just two 120 phases, making 240V two-phase? If so, wouldn't three phase just be 360v? How, then, is there 240 and 480v three phase? Does each conductor…
kewltek
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Need to reduce voltage from 245v to under 240v for large printer

I run a home business and have recently purchased a large HP 800w latex printer that requires a 220v outlet. The manufacturer of the printer requires there to be no more than 240v going into the printer. I am sitting at 245v and need to lower it or…
Rodney
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I’m trying to make a 220V power cord

My plasma cutter has a 3 prong 220V power cord. I want to make an extension cable that I can plug into my dryer's 4 prong 220V outlet. I have a 3 prong receptacle to put on the other end of my cord for the cutter. I have 3 conductor wire - two…
Matt T.
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What wire gauge should I use with a 30 amp breaker for a 220V welder?

I am installing an outlet in my garage for a 220v mig welder. The welder specs call for 30A breaker. The outlet for the welder is only 2 feet from the garage sub panel. The wiring refernece charts I've seen say I can use 12 gauge copper wire for…
Scott Bruns
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Why would replacing this 240 V outlet with a 120 V outlet trip my breaker?

I recently replaced a 20 A 250 V single outlet with a 20 A 125 V single outlet so that I could use it for my microwave in the kitchen. The original outlet had two gold screws and a grounding screw. However, the new outlet has one gold screw, one…
Amy B
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