These outlets are the ones you’re most likely to have in your house.
Ok, so let’s talk about the types of outlets you’ll find in your house. For the most part, you are going to see 120 volts, 15 amp, and 20 amp. And 220 2-wire, 3-wire, and four-wire types.
Please remember not all 220-volt outlets use a neutral (white) wire. To give you a general idea, let’s say you just bought an air compressor from Home Depot. It requires 220 volts but the plug only has three prongs. You’ll have the two that look alike and will be the two separate hots and the other round looking on would be the ground. And of course, more than likely it would be 20 amp.
220 volts 20 amps
This is a 220v 20 amp outlet as shown in the how-to 220-volt outlet video likely to be used for larger power tools in your garage or shop or perhaps a wall air conditioner.
220 volts 30 amps
Wire Connections for X Y W 240 Volt Receptacle Dryer Outlets The Black Wire attaches to Outlet Terminal X The Red Wire attaches to Outlet Terminal Y The White Neutral or Green wire or Ground wire attaches to Outlet Terminal W
Commonly known as a dryer outlet. Of course, used for a clothes dryer. This would be used in a wall box with a cover plate (flush mount)
220 volt 50 amp outlets
In a house, these would be considered the big boys. You’ll find one of these in newer homes for a stove-oven combo. This is a 4-wire outlet. See my video on how to install one of these. This is a 50 amp 220 4 wire. Better known as a stove or oven outlet Keep in mind, although you might have an oven, dryer, stove, or whatever. It may not have an outlet at all. It could be hard-wired into the appliance. And that’s fine, lots of bigger commercial appliances are known to be wired that way. Tip… Red is hot (110 volts), and black is also hot (110 volts) = 220 volts. White is neutral and is the returned path back to the transformer on the road. The ground is just that. Ground to each and is always used on anything electric. Unless of course, your house is very old in which case should be updated just for pure safety.
Surface Mount 220v outlet
This is a surface mount 220v outlet. You would find these in older homes where the installation came after the house was built.
3 wire stove receptacle
Click on the below images to make them bigger
Wire Size Calculator
Use this calculator to help you determine what size wire to use.
Comments ( 88 )
Hello!
I have just moved into a new apartment where I discovered a Nema 2-20 outlet in a room that has no other outlets. I was wondering if you could recommend some kind of adapter (although I have searched at length for one with no results), or if I should replace the plug.
Thank you for your time!
A NEMA 2-20 is just a 120 20 amp outlet. What is it you’re trying to do?
Hello, I have a question about a 20 Amp 220 Volt outlet. I have one and need to wire to electric box. It was connected to a double pole 20amp square D breaker. However, I was told that I need a GFI or some sort of protection breaker. I purchased a 2 pole GFCI Breaker but it has a neutral connection. I do not have one on the outlet, so I am not sure what I should use. Thanks in advance!
Assuming you’re in the US or Canada. You’re talking about two very different things here.
Watch this video. This is part of what you’re talking about. But it’s for 120v
I have a question pertaining to a circuit’s amperage. I have a dedicated 240v/50amp circuit for a car charger. The recent PHEV we leased has the capability of accepting standard 120v or 240v input however the plug configuration is a 240v/20amp design. Can I simply rewire the receptacle to match the 240v car plug or will this be dangerous?
Yes of course that’s fine. Just make sure you connect the correct wires correctly. Hot with hot, ground with ground
Question, Ive installed several 20 amp 220v outlets and never had any issues. Today i installed one, and when I flipped the breaker there was a quick spark in the panel and the breaker popped… I swapped the 2 hots (white/black, using 12/2) on the breaker and it was fine…. Ive never worried about the order of Hot leads on a simple 220 circuit before? Can they be wired backwards? The run was only about 30 FT, i check the cable for possible shorts and did not find any.
It does not make a difference at all. I would really check your wire for breakers, or the way you’re connecting it to the breaker.
We have a outlet with standard round hole on the right horizontal on the left and normal ground. Is this used for 220v. Our printer co says we are having 220 yet his plug is the same.
Sounds like it me. Email me a picture of it. dom@askmediy.com
I just got a used ceramic kiln. The outlet on the kiln
has a round top male prong and two slot shaped prongs
below.
The female outlet on the wall has an L shaped hole at the top and 2 V shaped holes at the bottom. Is there a converter to join up or do I have to install a new male end to my kiln.
Also I could send photos of the 2 if I knew where to send them.
Thanks,
Josephine Harris
So much easier to just change either the outlet or plug end. Yes, send me pictures dom@askmediy.com
im working in an all electric apt. building in southern california, the a/c unit thats mounted thru the wall needs to be replaced, the outlet tests at 208 volts, do i use a 220 unit for replacement, or do i drop one of the hot legs at the panel
208 is a bit low but more normal than you would think. That should be fine and dandy however check the new unit for the voltage requirements. Min to max voltage.
Can I replace a 6-20r with a 5-20r to reduce voltage?
No, not at all. Your voltage will stay the same
Thanks for your reply, after some reading and volt meter tests I found I need to use only one of the ‘hot’ leads and what looks like a capped off neutral. Really strange, it was a 240 outlet that from the fuse box to end, changed its color codes: White – hot; Black -hot; bare copper; ground or neutral?? to Orange -hot; Blue – hot; White -ground or neutral?? I’m a novice so any advice you could give would be great.
Yeah, be very careful of what you’re doing. 220 is 220. Yes at the outlet end by using just one hot and the neutral will give you 120 volts.
Can i plug a 15 amp 230 ac with 6-15p plug into a 20 amp 6-20p outlet
Sure thing
Hello,
I have a generator rated at 220 volt 30 amp on one outlet. Should I expect to have 30 amps on each hot leg, or 15 amps each for a total of 30 amps? The specs do not not indicate anything either way.
Thank you
Yes, 15 amps pm each leg for a total of 30 amps.