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 video
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 )
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.
Loved the video, but I still have a question about a 3 prong dryer. For years I had no problems until one day wham the dryer would not start. I have tried, on 3 different machines and one of those was new out of the box, to use a dryer in my house after this. The outlet is new and a new 30 breaker also, yet any machine plugged in is only getting partial power. Voltmeter has 120 on each side, but still no joy. Could the line from the breaker to the outlet cause this? That is the only thing I can think of right now.
Thank you. Watch this video https://www.askmediy.com/check-volts-120-220-volt-outlets/
Dominik
I have a question about running a 220 v 30 amp line, breaker , and 3 prong plug to a 18,000 btu window unit. I have removed some unused breakers from my panel to create space for 2 new 30 amp breakers to create the 220 volts of power. I’m not sure what wire to use (bought 10/2 and 10/3). Can you please advise me on what wire to use and how to wire it to the breaker? I have free space on my neutral bus bar and ground bus bar as well. As in like which color wires go where. Obviously in know which one the ground is but not sure on the other configurations. Mainly the 3 prong plug required on the unit is confusing me on what wire to use and how to hook it up to the breaker panel. Any help would be a huge help. Thanks so much!
Austin Earhart
10/3 wire is fine. But watch my videos on how to do it.
Yes and no. The same if it's a older dryer. However some newer dryers require three wire the extra being a neutral.
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.
Thanks for this Dominick. Very helpful. I wanted to ask. I have one slot left in my box but need to run a 220 for an air conditioner. I saw you can buy a 1 inch 2 pole 220 v 20 amp breaker that just takes up one slot in the box and not 2 like the one you showed here. Do you think this 1 inch think 2 pole would be alright?
mini breakers are for 110. You’ll either have to install a sub panel or move some breakers around. For 220 you’ll need to grab both hot legs.
K, going to add a 220 volt outlet in my garage for an air compressor, the compressor requires 20 amp. The question:
I already have 110 electric in the garage that runs the lights and a couple of outlets. Instead of having to pull 3 new wires (2 hot & 1 ground) for the 220V outlet, can pull just one wire for the additional 110V I’ll need and utilize the existing 110V wire (and ground) for the second hot to the 220V outlet?
The reason I ask is because I can run one wire through the existing conduit, Thanks.
No way. You must run a whole new wire just for the new 220 outlet.
Thank you very much.
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.
I have recently moved and I have a Jacuzzi that’s run on1 110v . Buy 220v it heat in an hour I’m in Edison NJ and want a price on putting the 220 box in and if you’re prices are responsible I also have other electrical work that needs to be done call me when you can at 917 348 0355 Wooding Ave Edison NJ
Sorry, but NJ is a little far for me.
Dominick. Great info and fun to watch video. You told me all I need for next step and saved me time and money. Hot tub awaits!