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 boy. 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 50 amp 220 4 wire. Better know 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, lot’s of bigger commercial appliances are known to be wired that way. Tip… Red is hot (110 volts) 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 the 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 )
Hi. I’m having a shed built with 40 amps being run to it. I’m going to have two separate 20 amp circuits (one for 110, for
lights…..and the other for 220 for power tools).
I need to convert my table saw from, 110 to 220. The instructors manual stated I need to use a NEMA 6-15 blue and
receptacle. However, from your write up it seems I should be using a NEMA 6-20.
I guess I need to know what outlet to be installed in the shed. And what plug I need to put on the end of my saw’s power cord.
Many thanks!
What you’re needing is a subpanel installed in your shed. Using 1 1/4″ conduit to the shed. #8 wire. Two hots, neutral and a ground with a seperate ground rod at the shed to the sub-panel. A 20 amp 220 plug is what you need. What my how to install a 220 outlet for the outlet you’ll want.
Just installed a new 3 wire 220 stove outlet
But,now my stove only partially works.
Burners come on but oven and digital clock and panel lights do not. ???
Sounds like you only have one hot leg being used. Watch this video. I have others on here as well. https://www.askmediy.com/how-to-install-an-electric-stove-plug/
Ok. I have an appliance that is requiring 220. The plug is 3 wire, white, black, and ground. I have a 60amp double stack available and ran 10/3 to a receptacle that has 3 wire set up. My black is on just one side of the 60 double stack. Matched the wires going into the receptacle with plug. Powers up fine, but not getting the volts I need. Is this because I am not getting 220 from the double stack by only using one side. Should I replace the double stack 60 with a single stack 30? Let me be clear, I am not an electrician but handy. I have hooked up a 50 amp and 30 amp rv plugs with no problem. Thank you all
Ok, please watch my videos on installing a 220 volt outlet. Everything will much clearer for you. There is no such thing as a double stack. It’s two pole. Meaning that each leg is going to grab a separate hot from the panel, each one being 120 volts =220/240 volts. Your black is 120, now your white will become 120 each.
I’m in the process of replacing an older electric range that the tag says it’s a 120/240VAC three wire hard wire connection. The circuit panel for the outlet has a double breaker 120/240VAC 50 Amp. The oven I want to install says it requires a 220VAC outlet rated for 40 Amps. Can I install a 220VAC outlet on a circuit that says it’s a 120/240VAC?
Yes by all means. That’s what all that means. Just a little confusing that’s all.
Hi
So can I plug in NEMA 1-15 regular plug in to a NEMA 2-20 (killark) receptacle?
No, very different of I remember correctly
Hello sir,
I just checked what type of breaker i have and found its 240v-40amp.
And i just got the cable and want to ask to make sure.
The coffee machine i have is labeled as 240v-30amp.
Will it work fine on 240v-40amp.
Thank you in advance.
Adapter
10-50P-Welder-L6-30R
Yes it will, it’s under the amperage max rating of your coffee machine. However, if there was an issue with it the breaker wont trip until it’s limit of 40 amps.
Hello. So I have a 220v/50a plug in my garage. The one you called “big boy”. I recently bought a bandsaw that is 10a at 220v. So I bought a plug that matches the 220v outlet and wired it. It works fine and I have no issues. Should I have done this? Also, I want to buy a dust collector that is a 240v/9a. Can I replace the plug to the dust collector to match the 220v/50a outlet?
It’s over kill, but hey whatever makes the connections and does it right is fine. All of my shop equipment is 20amp with 20 amp plugs.
Ok, thank you.
Hello,
I have a coffee machine that has
(l6-30) plug and listed to work on 240v-30A.
And I have a wall outlet that written on it 240v- 50A (10-50).
I find online an adapter l6-30 female 10-50 male, which will work in my case.
But will be safe for 240v 30A machine to work on outlet 240v 50A.
Thank you.
The only un-safe part is that if something goes wrong with the coffee maker the breaker won’t trip until it reaches 50 amps. If anything I would at least replace the breaker to a 30 amp.
I hope you can help. I just bought a 60 gallon air compressor which has a plug that is either Nema 10-20 or Nema 10-50. The outlet in my building is a Nema 6-50. Is there an adapter that will allow me to plug in my air compressor without rewiring?
No not that I know about. I would just change the outlet really.