Split 110v off a 230v branch circuit?


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Old 12-09-09, 06:22 AM
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Split 110v off a 230v branch circuit?

Is it possible to split a 110v circuit off a 230v branch? I'd like to put a 110v receptacle and light near my A/C compressor, but it's a long a difficult run back to the main panel.

The A/C is supplied by a 230v/50A branch, and the unit only requires 35A, so there's no issue on overloading the 50A circuit. The 230v branch terminates in a fused disconnect box, and then a whip into the unit.
 
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Old 12-09-09, 07:14 AM
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For one you would need to reduce the ampacity of the circuit to a 20 amp maximum. General use receptacle circuits cannot be greater than 20 amps.

Most likely you do not have a neutral that is needed for the 120 volt circuit. Straight 240 volt circuits consist of 2 hot legs and a grounding conductor.
 

Last edited by pcboss; 12-09-09 at 08:06 AM.
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Old 12-09-09, 08:03 AM
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If you had a neutral in the cable (which you probably don't), you could replace the disconnect with a 60A subpanel and install your new circuit from there. If there is no neutral in the feeder, then you cannot derive 120V from it.
 
 

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