Converting a 220 to a 110
#1
01-02-03, 03:59 PM
Converting a 220 to a 110
In my garage, there is a 220 outlet that was used to run a window unit by the previous owner. I would like to convert it to just a regular 110 outlet, to connect my power tools, etc. What do I need to do to correct this? It is a dedicated outlet. Thanks in advance for your help.
#2
01-02-03, 04:51 PM
What size wire are we dealing with?
In most cases if this is at least a #12 wire or larger then all you would have to do is open the receptacle up and determine what wires are inside. Specially are there two hots and a ground or two hots one neutral and a ground or is there even a ground persent? These must be looked at before we can give you the details on how to do the conversion you say it is dedicated and that is good. Post back with what you have in the box and we can help you.
In most cases if this is at least a #12 wire or larger then all you would have to do is open the receptacle up and determine what wires are inside. Specially are there two hots and a ground or two hots one neutral and a ground or is there even a ground persent? These must be looked at before we can give you the details on how to do the conversion you say it is dedicated and that is good. Post back with what you have in the box and we can help you.
#3
01-02-03, 04:54 PM
It should be a dedicated outlet test to make sure .Then find the breaker in panel cut off main and replace the double pole braker witha single pole 20 amp breaker.Put in a panel blank to fill hole.
change out 220 recep to 110 recep .If there is only 3 wires in box( 2 hot and ground) you will have to take the red or black and make it into a nuetral.if this is true make sure to take the same wire at the panel tape it white and place under neutral bar.If you have a four wire conducter hook up the whit ground and black to the correct terminals.Take the other hot and wirenut it off atpanel and recep. If your wire is bigger than #10 AWG you will have to splitbolt no less than #12 to it to make it correct.If you have any ? contact me
change out 220 recep to 110 recep .If there is only 3 wires in box( 2 hot and ground) you will have to take the red or black and make it into a nuetral.if this is true make sure to take the same wire at the panel tape it white and place under neutral bar.If you have a four wire conducter hook up the whit ground and black to the correct terminals.Take the other hot and wirenut it off atpanel and recep. If your wire is bigger than #10 AWG you will have to splitbolt no less than #12 to it to make it correct.If you have any ? contact me
#4
01-17-03, 03:59 PM
220v to a 110v
I posted this question earlier, but here is some more detail:
In my garage, there is a 220 outlet that was used to run a window unit by the previous owner. I would like to convert it to just a regular 110 outlet, to connect my power tools, etc. What do I need to do to correct this? It is a dedicated outlet. The wire that currently runs to it is 2 wire (White, black, and ground). To switch the breaker, what do I need to know when I buy the new one, to make sure that it works with my box? Also, is it as simple as putting the white wire (in the breaker box) on the neutral strip, and putting the black wire into the new breaker? What do I need to watch out for so that I don't kill myself or burn down my house?
Thanks in advance for your help.
In my garage, there is a 220 outlet that was used to run a window unit by the previous owner. I would like to convert it to just a regular 110 outlet, to connect my power tools, etc. What do I need to do to correct this? It is a dedicated outlet. The wire that currently runs to it is 2 wire (White, black, and ground). To switch the breaker, what do I need to know when I buy the new one, to make sure that it works with my box? Also, is it as simple as putting the white wire (in the breaker box) on the neutral strip, and putting the black wire into the new breaker? What do I need to watch out for so that I don't kill myself or burn down my house?
Thanks in advance for your help.
#5
01-17-03, 04:25 PM
Member
You can probably use the existing breaker. Tell us about the breaker. I'm mainly interested in the number on the handle.
#6
01-20-03, 12:01 PM
Inside the breaker box, the wires from the outlet are connected to 2 breakers that are barred together. Each of the breakers has a #20 on the handle. So if I'm saying this right, the outlet in the garage is connected to 2 20 amp breakers. Would I just cut the power, and whichever breaker has the white wire running from it, disconnect that one, and put the white wire on the neutral bar? This would leave the black wire hot, right? This is what I'm thinking, but I don't know details about it, so please tell me whatever you can think of! I truly appreciate all of the help and advice.
As a sidenote, what is the best way to tell what guage a wire is? I know about sizes and as number gets smaller, the wire gets bigger, I just didn't know if it is best to look on the shielding, or if there was some other way to tell.
Thanks!!
As a sidenote, what is the best way to tell what guage a wire is? I know about sizes and as number gets smaller, the wire gets bigger, I just didn't know if it is best to look on the shielding, or if there was some other way to tell.
Thanks!!
#7
01-20-03, 12:34 PM
Looking on the cable is the best and most accruate way to see the size of the wire. The markings on it leave no room for misunderstanding.
Disconnecting the white from the breaker and connecting it to the neutral will give you 110v in the circuit, but the breaker should be changed to a single pole breaker. In time someone might use the other have of that breaker with another neutral at which point it can become a safety risk for anyone working on either circuit. Double pole breakers are designed to deliver power to the same area and by doing what you suggest it would change the accepted method of using the device.
Disconnecting the white from the breaker and connecting it to the neutral will give you 110v in the circuit, but the breaker should be changed to a single pole breaker. In time someone might use the other have of that breaker with another neutral at which point it can become a safety risk for anyone working on either circuit. Double pole breakers are designed to deliver power to the same area and by doing what you suggest it would change the accepted method of using the device.
#8
01-20-03, 12:50 PM
I didn't write what I was thinking clearly. Is this breaker really 2 separate 20 amp breakers connected together by a bar? That is what it appears to me. My thinking was that I could pull the white wire from its breaker, and put it on neutral, then pull that breaker off and discard it. That is, if I could just remove the bar that is connecting the 2. If it is really just one breaker, then I am under the impression that I would pull it out of the box and replace with a single 20 amp breaker. Another question, at the stores, you see 1/2" and 1" breakers...what is the difference between the two? Is there any, besides size? I have 1" in my box now, should I just stick with that, or use 1/2" to allow room for expansion later?
#9
01-20-03, 05:08 PM
The 2 breakers hooked together are called a 2 pole breaker and are usually made as a single assembly. If you remove them they are riveted as a pair. Take the pair out and install 2 single pole breakers. Different brands of panels handle adding breakers in smaller boxes different ways. Some use a 1 inch breaker with 2 handles, one for each circuit. Others use 2 1/2 inch breakers that plug into a 1 inch slot. I believe I have seen at least one brand that has 1/2 inch breakers available singly. If you do not need the space at this point I would not bother. Not alll boxes are rated to use the pair breakers. Do not pitch that 2 pole breaker. You may want it later. When you get the breaker correct, do not forget to put a GFCI receptacle in the garage.
#10
01-20-03, 05:28 PM
Member
I see no need to replace the double-pole breaker with two single-pole breakers -- at least not until some time in the future if and when he has a use for the other circuit. One half of a double-pole breaker will work perfectly as a single-pole breaker.
umtigers, I suggest you do exactly as you originally proposed to do. Leave the breaker alone and move the white wire.
In the future, you could even use the other half of that breaker for another circuit still keeping the double-pole breaker. The only downside is that you would trip two circuits whenever either one tripped (this downside, however, would cause most people to replace the breakers). It's not a safety issue, only a convenience one.
umtigers, I suggest you do exactly as you originally proposed to do. Leave the breaker alone and move the white wire.
In the future, you could even use the other half of that breaker for another circuit still keeping the double-pole breaker. The only downside is that you would trip two circuits whenever either one tripped (this downside, however, would cause most people to replace the breakers). It's not a safety issue, only a convenience one.
#11
01-21-03, 07:20 AM
Thank all of you for your help! I'll post back after the project is complete and let you know how it turns out!
Just one more question. When I expand and need to replace the circuit breaker, is there anything special that I need to look for, or can I just go to Home Depot and pick up a 1" 20amp circuit breaker?
Thanks again
Just one more question. When I expand and need to replace the circuit breaker, is there anything special that I need to look for, or can I just go to Home Depot and pick up a 1" 20amp circuit breaker?
Thanks again
#12
01-21-03, 07:29 AM
Member
You need to buy a breaker that's the correct brand and model for your panel. If the panel isn't too old, just copy the info off one of the existing breakers and match it to a breaker in the store.
