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 my daughter just moved into her new home three days ago. She has purchased a three prong dryer. Problem is the outlet is not made for that. It’s a weird outlet 220? frustrated what to do?
I’m sure it’s 220. But they are not all the same as you now know. The easiest way would be to just replace the plug on the dryer. Send me some pictures if you like.
Have a hole in my bathroom ceiling that started out the size of a dime…now the size of my fist. This was caused by a leaky roof which has since been repaired however how to I patch such a large hole as the surrounding plaster seems brittle and weak! Unsure if it can accommodate a plaster screen patch! Help!
You would want to cut out a square large enough to where the sheetrock is solid and then use one of my how to repair a large hole in sheetrock.
Just found a Sony tv but was not aware that it is 220 volts! Can I just buy an adapter and plug this in to a standard USA outlet? Or do I need to have the outlet changed to accommodate the 220 volts?
If it really is 220 volt then no. You need 220. But really a 220 volt TV?
Thank you for the various 220v receptacle diagrams….. A pain trying to modify the plugs and receptacles from the welder and plasma cutter to the house and also be compatible with a generator.
Hello I purchased a used generator and it only has 2 220v outlets they look 3 curved prongs its a elemax sk2900dx the guy I bought it from said I need a step down plug but it was a sight unseen sale can u please help me I want to use it to run 110 items like fans lights etc ive looked everywhere for help i dont have alot of money and cant afford any mistakes any help would be great the generator says 220v only so lost thanks Rick
Hey Rick. Go to the store and buy you three prong plug. Read the numbers on the outlet. Should be like Nema-??? three prong means 3 hots and neutral. For 110 you’ll only need one of the two hots and the neutral.
Always my pleasure.
I just bought a new home, and the washer and dryer needed to be replaced. We checked the back of the dryer prior to purchase to confirm there was a gas line (old one was electric on a 220V line). What I missed, is that there was only one 110V receptacle on the circuit in the area behind the washer and dryer. I have my dryer hooked up fine, with the exception that I have a temporary extension chord running to a nearby outlet.
So, im trying to look into converting the 220 to 110 … or maybe change out the single 110 to a double 110 receptacle GFCI.
Any guidance on changing to the 220 receptacle to a 110V for the dryer? Or, would you recommend leaving it alone and changing the 110 (with one receptacle) to a 110 with 2 places to plug in?
FYI – I checked the rating on the washer and dryer, they are 10A for the washer and 6A for the dryer … so I think a combined 16A should be good on the 20A circuit if I decided to plug in both into the existing 110 (after adding the 2nd plug to it).
My first thought was to change the 220 to 110 … any guidance you can provide?
Really I would just bring another 110 volt outlet to the dryer. Playing with the existing 220 would not be wise.
So, use the existing 110V circuit and change out the single plug outlet to a dual plug outlet? Or are you saying to run another line from the breaker box?
Run another line.
I bought a 220 box to fit my dryer plug…How do I swap them out?
A whole box or just the cover with the outlet?
I just bought an Air conditioner that has a 230 volt 30 amp plug on it. My old failed ac unit has a 220 15 amp outlet for it. All though similar the 30 amp plug is a lot bigger. Can I put a different outlet in to accept the 30 amp plug or is it a lot more than that?
Yes if your new AC is really a 30 amp than you will need to change the breaker and wire. Otherwise you will have big time issues. Check the amp ratings on the unit just to make sure.
In your videos, you talk too fast for me to follow and kind of mush some of your words together. Rather than “laid-back” I’d prefer professional.
20 million views and you’re the first one to ever say that. I’ll keep that in mind, thank you.
Hi, I have a 3/4 HP Water pump set a 220 by the lake to feed my cottage.Currently the pump is wired directly to my panel.I would like to put in a on/off switch in my Bunkie adjacent to the pump.Are there considerations for what type of 220 switch and receptacle?
use a twin pole switch. This will have 4 screws / connections not including the ground.
I did not know that 220 outlets/cords have different type of configurations. I bought a 24 inch electric stove for my tiny kitchen. I was so excited to finally have an oven and the price was perfect. But alas, the cord has a different shape then the outlet even though both are 220. Are adaptor plugs available in these kinds of situations and is it safe to use an adaptor plug? No matter how cute the stove, I prefer not to burn my house down. :P Thanks so much.