Installing a 220-volt outlet isn’t all that hard at all. Following the instructions in my video, you’ll be fine.
So here’s the deal on installing more than one per circuit. It’s all math by the way, oh yeah, and lots more money. If you have 2 220 outlets and each one is 20 amps. You’ll need to use #8 wire for the whole circuit including a 40 amp breaker. Now just the wire alone is going to cost you. So yes you can, but do you really want to?
A big misconception is that you can only install one 220-volt device/outlet per circuit/breaker. Although you’ll be better off for every 220 devices/outlet having it on its own breaker.
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 in two very different phases. Each one is 110 volts. Combined you have your 220 volts. However, you will still need 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.
For the wiring needed for this type of insulation, you would use a 12/2 wire for a 20 amp installation.
If you’re looking for instructions on how to install a 4-wire 220 outlet see this videoÂ
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.
This setup does not use a neutral wire. The neutral wire is a return path back to the transformer, in other words, a balanced one. More reason why you can’t add more than one 220 outlets per breaker. This is considered a two-wire setup.
You may like to read my how to wire a clothes dryer using 4 wire. This setup uses the neutral wire. Click here
Don’t forget to look at how to wire a 4-wire 220-volt outlet.
Comments ( 49 )
We bought a used hot tub, we have 110 already the guy we got it from recommends 240, how do we go about changing? We have a new breaker box.
All hot tubs needs 220 volts. Follow my video on how to install 220 volts but with the right amperage.
I have 110 in the house, I have 110 in the garage which is hooked up to house panel also have panel in garage, would like to have 220 outlet in garage to run 220 heater. any suggestion would be appreciated thank you
If you have a sub panel in the garage you should be able to pull the 220 from there. You would have to see if there is two hot legs in the panel and you really should have that.
hi, I have installed a 220v 20amp outlet like the one in the video. I plan to use equipment purchased in China, do you know if there is an adapter that will let me plug a chinese connector into that outlet?
thanks,
Steve
I don’t know of any but I’m sure they make them. however it would be much better and easier to just replace the plug. But make sure what you’re getting is the right Htz. and phase we have here in the USA. If you send me a link to it I’ll be more than happy to look at it for you.
I need help with some electrical questions.
I have small appliances from Japan (100V, 50-60Hz), washer/dryer from Korea (220V, 60Hz) and oven/microwave oven from Malaysia (220-240V, 50Hz, 6.6-6.0A). The Korean plug has 2 round prongs and the Malaysian 3 large flat prongs (British style).
1- Is it possible to have a house in the US wired with 100V and 220V outlets?
2- If so, would any electrician be able to do it?
3- Would it be safe to plug the 50Hz oven in a 220V 60Hz outlet?
Thank you.
Hi how are you. To be completely honest with you I don’t know. Yes you can have 220 volt outlets in your house. But 100 volts ? That seems low. Did you mean 120 ?
Thanks for the prompt reply.
Yes, 100V. In Japan the electrical grid is set to 100V. There are 2 frequencies 60 Hz in the West and 50Hz in the East. I wonder if there is a long term problem if I plug the Japanese appliances into a 120V outlet…
One way to find out, LOL.. 100v I never knew that. I in the UK it’s all 220v 50Hz. I’m sure you can get a reducer but it won’t be cheap.
I have a problem. I’m Installing a new Range into a Commerical Factory in the break room. We get 480 Volts into the place and then have a number of transformers to change the voltage to what it needs to be. So I’m tapping into the 120/240 volt panel. There’s no Common block only Ground, so I ran #8, 3 wires, Red, Black and green to the break Room and to a new Outlet. What a hassle.
Now at the new Outlet I get 126v from L1 to ground and 145V from L2 and Ground and around 240 from L1 to L2. The problem is when I go and plug in the new Range, it doesn’t work?!?!?! So I measure voltage at the end of the plug at the range and Now I read like 220 Volts from L1 to ground, and 13 volts from L2 to ground?!?!?! Why would this be? I would think that I should still be reading 120 or so volts from L1 to ground and L2 to ground like before. The Range is off. I’m not getting any Clock on the Display, but if a turn the Stove top on I start getting heat.
Is this some type of wiring issue?!?! Is the new Range screwed up? That seems unlikely, but I guess you never know. I ran around 210 feet of wire though new conduit that I had to run for this project. Any Ideas what’s going on?
You ran two hots and a ground. But why didn’t you run a neutral ? I don’t know what a common block is. It’s either a ground buss bar or a neutral buss bar. When you’re dealing with 220 volts a neutral is even that more important.
How many feet do 220 outlets have to be from each other?…reason…..I’m building a house and want to run my washer and dryer in the kitchen……(I have a huge kitchen.) But I have a oven on the wall that has the only space were I can put the washer and dryer. Can I run 2 220s side by side say within 5 ft..?
And should I separate the two with the washer?
Thanks
You can put them anywhere you want. For 220 there is not min. But each one has to have it’s own breaker.
Dominick thanks for the video. I always wanted to know how to do that. Now I know. THANKS Again. Also I learned how to clean my oil burner. Good health to you.
Hey I need to run a 220 dyer wire another 20 ft. can I add to the wire to make it reach
Sure you can. Just do it with a junction box.
Very informative. I’m reassured that I’m doing it correctly. However I thought it was a neutral wire not a natural wire. At least you did not say brass to save your axe.
Thanks for the video. I need to add a 220 outlit to my garage for a kiln. My late husband was an electrician so I have a little knowledge. But I like the hint of getting it all ready and have an electrician hooking it up. I probley can hook it up, but I rather be safe.
Oh and the hint of wrapping the outlit, thanks. I am replacing several outlits in my home, I usually turn the power off before I remove one, but I like this hint.
Thanks again
( so how do I find a reasonable , good electrician in Riverside County, California?)
Well I don’t know anyone in your area. But the place way to find someone is to ask a friend or neighbor maybe.