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How to install a 220 volt outlet

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How easy is it to install a 220 volt outlet ?. Well it's very easy. If you'll ever installed a 110 volt outlet then this is going to be super easy. Just read and watch my video and you'll be a pro in no time.

Installing a new 220 outlet isn't much different then a 120 volt outlet. However you can only put one 220 outlet per breaker / circuit. And you will installing two hot leads to the outlet and not using a neutral for this type of outlet in the video.

In the below diagram you will notice that for a 220 volt outlet you would need a two pole breaker. What this means is that the breaker will take the power from the panel by the two very different phases. Each one is 110 volts. Combined you have your 220 volts. However you will still need a ground as you can see. Some need a neutral as well. Most of the time these would be things like your stove. But for now this pretty much covers a simple 15 or 20 amp 220 volts.

The wiring needed for this type of insulation you would use 12/2 wire for a 20 amp installation.

220 volt in your braker panel

The red wire is really just red for the picture. If you're using a 12/2 wire you would simply just use the white and the black wires to power the outlet and the bare copper for the ground that I show here in brown. Don't think you can just use two separate breakers. It just doesn't work that way.

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Comments (8 posted)

Bill 02/07/2011 09:55:49

Where is the video?

-1

hguhf fkhj 09/07/2011 15:38:11

thank you for that informative post I'll recommend to my friends thanks again

AimHigh 11/11/2011 13:21:16

Would you put the video back? Tks!

dominick 13/11/2011 06:52:16

Sorry I had to make a new one. But here you go.

-1

Greg 15/11/2011 14:17:21

Is this the same process for a 220 Dryer outlet?

dominick 15/11/2011 14:24:51

Yes and no. The same if it's a older dryer. However some newer dryers require three wire the extra being a neutral.

Henry 04/12/2011 23:29:39

I notice you put the ground pin on the bottom. I think the code is gradually changing to require it on top. That way, should a metal object like a thin picture frame fall between the outlet and a partially inserted plug, the ground pin serves to deflect the object so you don't get a short. Of course, many 220 plugs are right-angle style, and would be upside down if you put in the plug that way. So "whattaya gonna do."

I enjoyed the style of your helpful video. Thank you.