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 )
I am setting my garage up as a small woodworking shop. Many of the tools I am looking to add to my shop are wired for 220. How many circuits / 220 outlets do I need. I have 4 duplex 110 outlets previously added.
You say nothing about your shop and how many outlet you want. So I have no idea what to tell you.. Need more info
Dryer is dead. Circuit is not tripped. Checked outlet and have hot indications at 2 of the 3 prongs. Is this normal? Trying to eliminate issues before calling for repairs.
Outlet seems fine.
Can you put two 220 plugs on one wire
No, you should not.
What size wire to use for a 220/30amp outlet, I have 12 g is that fine?
You will need a 10 gauge wire.
Thank you, got the right stuff today, an the 10/2 wire.
Hi, I just moved into a house that has a 4 wire plug like the ‘big boy’ you show here. My dryer has the regular 220 20amp plug. Do I need an adapter or to convert the whole recepticle and run a lower amp connection?
Your dryer should be a 220 30amp. You should need to change the outlet or the power on your dryer.
I have a 240 volt 15 amp air compressor. Can I change the plug and get it to run on a 240 volt 30 amp dryer receptacle?
Sure like a dryer. Yes, you can, but if something in the compressor shorts out it will be protected by 30 amps. That compressor with be toast
Thank You very much for your vids and info on your website. It helped me to safely install a sub panel. I used a 6-3 wire for my panel because of the information from you. I was sure wanting to use the 8-3 just for the cost differance. The safety of my kids dont have a price so 100 bucks more for the wire was a no brainer. Thanks again for the Profesional help.
Always my pleasure.
THANKS FOR THE VIDEO AND DESCRIPTIONS. I HAVE DONE THE 4 WIRE YEARS AGO WHEN I WORKED FOR NATIONAL RECORDING MUSIC SHOWS ON THE ROAD 25 YEARS AGO AND WANTED TO REFRESH TO MAKE SURE I HAD IT. YOUR INFO WAS AWESOME AND LAID BACK KEEP UP THE GOOD WORK ! GUYS LIKE ME THAT DO MOST EVERYTHING IN THERE HOMES NEED YOU TO KEEP US DOING GREAT WORK FOR OUR FAMILIES
.. THANKS DOM
FERGIE!!I
I know what you mean all to well. Thank you very much.
Dear Mr/Mrs
Thanks for your website .I need electrical code for preparation myself in 309A exam as far as I got my temporary licence in electrician field.
Best Regards,
Peyman,