220v, 30a Outlet Question.
#1
07-21-10, 04:42 PM
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220v, 30a Outlet Question.
First post.
I have an A/C that blew. Well, used to anyways. The current outlet has one vertical prong, one horizontal prong and the bottom round prong. Other 220v a/c's have 2 vertical prongs and the bottom round prong plugs. Whats' the difference and can I just swap out outlets to make this work?
I have an A/C that blew. Well, used to anyways. The current outlet has one vertical prong, one horizontal prong and the bottom round prong. Other 220v a/c's have 2 vertical prongs and the bottom round prong plugs. Whats' the difference and can I just swap out outlets to make this work?
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#2
07-21-10, 04:58 PM
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You have a NEMA 6-20amp plug it sounds like. It sounds like those others are just normal household 120 receptacles.
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07-21-10, 05:21 PM
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Originally Posted by HotinOKC
You have a NEMA 6-20amp plug it sounds like. It sounds like those others are just normal household 120 receptacles.
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07-21-10, 05:25 PM
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Originally Posted by FDBarbarian
On my curcuit breaker it says 30 amp. So I can change the outlet to any 220v as long as it doesn't go over 30a. Like a Nema 6-30, correct?
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07-21-10, 05:38 PM
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Originally Posted by pcboss
What does the AC nameplate call for?
#7
07-21-10, 05:44 PM
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The breaker is oversized for the plug, probably to make it so it doesn't keep tripping the circuit. Can you tell what sized wire it is? It is a 220v if you have a double pole breaker to it.
http://www.frentzandsons.com/Hardwar...o.htm#30%20Amp.
http://www.frentzandsons.com/Hardwar...o.htm#30%20Amp.
#8
07-21-10, 05:52 PM
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Originally Posted by HotinOKC
The breaker is oversized for the plug, probably to make it so it doesn't keep tripping the circuit. Can you tell what sized wire it is? It is a 220v if you have a double pole breaker to it.
Edit - according to diagrams, I have a Nema 5-20 plug, not a 6-20p.
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07-21-10, 05:52 PM
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There is no energy efficiency differences between a 110 and 220. your energy is measured in watts.
#10
07-21-10, 06:46 PM
The 5-20 is a 20 amp 120 volt device. You sould have a single pole 20 smp breaker protecting this receptacle. Someone may have changed the receptacle to match the A/C but incorrectly left the breaker in place.
How many wires are connected to the breaker?
How many wires are connected to the breaker?
#11
07-21-10, 07:12 PM
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Originally Posted by pcboss
The 5-20 is a 20 amp 120 volt device. You sould have a single pole 20 smp breaker protecting this receptacle. Someone may have changed the receptacle to match the A/C but incorrectly left the breaker in place.
How many wires are connected to the breaker?
How many wires are connected to the breaker?
#12
07-21-10, 07:43 PM
The important thing is the BTUs. You want to get greater or equal. New ACs or usually smaller so I would just look for one that will fit in the existing hole and plan to fill in around it if needed. While it is important to determine the current voltage, if it is a dedicated circuit it doesn't matter if the new one is 120v or 240v. The existing receptacle's voltage can easily be changed by swapping a couple of wires at the panel.
Last edited by ray2047; 07-21-10 at 09:38 PM.
#13
07-21-10, 09:24 PM
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Originally Posted by ray2047
The important thing is the BTUs. You want to get grater equal. New ACs or usually smaller so I would just look for one that will fit in the existing hole and plan to fill in around it if needed. While it is important to determine the current voltage, if it is a dedicated circuit it doesn't matter if the new one is 120v or 240v. The existing receptacle's voltage can easily be changed by swapping a couple of wires at the panel.
I will add to Ray's part here he have clear point there and also if this A/C plug is delcated which it mean nothing else in that circuit is used with anything else if anything else on it may cause some issue espcally if you have new 240 volt unit and larger 120 volt units as well
Most manufacter will stated that you run it own circuit to advoid any issue with it.
Merci.
Marc
