air conditioner plug/220vs230


  #1  
Old 08-29-03, 12:12 AM
rilee
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air conditioner plug/220vs230

Living in an old house (c1906) is very rewarding, but can also be very challenging. Three nights ago (in the hottest week of the year), the window air conditioner died. This unit was in the house when we bought it nine years ago, and we have no idea how old it is; but it looks REALLY old, so we decided to replace it.
Today we purchased a new Kenmore unit from Sears. Our problem is the plug. Although it is the same configuration (two flat horizontal side-by-side prongs with a round prong centered directly below them), it is much smaller than the old plug.
Can we get an adaptor that will safely solve this problem, do we need to replace the outlet, or do we have to rewire the whole thing?
Also, I always thought household wiring was 110 or 220 but recently I have seen references to 115 and 230. What's the scoop? And could this have something to do with our problem?
 
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Old 08-29-03, 04:25 AM
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The rule of thumb is + or - 10% on voltage so if you've got a 220 piece of equipment 10% is 22volts either way. As for you're plug will it plug into the old receptical at all ? If you question it I would change the recepticle ( if it's aluminum wire be sure the new receptical is rated for such) and confirm that the breaker "or fuse if your house has not been updated" is rated properly for the new a/c.
 
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Old 08-29-03, 06:09 AM
rilee
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Thanks for your reply.
It will not plug in at all. The flat prongs on the old plug are 1/2" wide, the total width 1 1/2",while those on the new plug are 1/4" wide, the total width 1". Likewise, the round prong is 5/8" from the flat ones on the old plug but 3/8" on the new one.
 
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Old 08-29-03, 07:12 AM
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The old plug was probly a 30 amp plug and the new one is probly 20 amp. If this is the case be sure and change the overcurrent devise "breaker of fuse" you do not want a 30 amp breaker on a 20 amp appliance.
 
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Old 08-29-03, 07:21 AM
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A/C

Im with Matt here .But you didnt say if the new unit was 220 or 110 or just the same voltage. If you draw out how the prongs are on this new plug you can go to Home depot or lowes and find a receptacle that will fit it. The way the prongs go's is the amp draw that the plug and receptacle can and will take . ED
 
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Old 08-31-03, 03:19 PM
H
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220 vs 230

think of it? 110 times two= 220
115 times two= 230
when the power comes into the house in comes in at the lower voltage only two of them at different frequencys off the transformer. The other is ground or neutral. Both of the hot legs are different and when a meter is on the two hots it reads 220 one hot and neutral is 110...the amps for each plug are different, some actually have a neutral in them so you can have both 220 and 110. Have a licenced electrician square this away.
 
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Old 09-01-03, 06:32 PM
rilee
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Thanks to all of you for your help. This exchange is really great!
As it turned out, we needed a larger unit than we purchased. When we upgraded, the plug and outlet matched!!!
I certainly appreciate all the input and the education.
 
 

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