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 )
You talked about having two 220 outlets on one circuit. Can you explain that more. I ran 10 ga wire in my garage for an air conditioner. I put two outlets in there just in case I needed another 220. They are on a 30 amp breaker. I now have bought a new air compressor which needs 220 and draws 15amps. The a/c draws 11.5 amps. The plugs are nema 6-20. Will this work
It’s close to 80% and that’s the max you want to be. However, what are the start-up amp draw. If both units kick on at the same time. That’s what you want to be careful of.
I was change my dryer outlet had spark and know no power what do I do
Sounds like the breaker tripped
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.
hi great video.what happens if you want to install a 220 outlet and there isnt any room in the circuit box for you to wire in another 220?thanks*
You would install a sub panel. Follow the link if you see one here. Or look in electrical on the main menu on top.
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.
Great video. I think it would be wise to tape your "white" wire using "black" tape so that everyone would know that this is a "hot" wire.
Is this the same process for a 220 Dryer outlet?
I notice you put the ground pin on the bottom. I think the code is gradually changing to require it on top. That way, should a metal object like a thin picture frame fall between the outlet and a partially inserted plug, the ground pin serves to deflect the object so you don't get a short. Of course, many 220 plugs are right-angle style, and would be upside down if you put in the plug that way. So "whattaya gonna do."
I enjoyed the style of your helpful video. Thank you.
Very good. Thank you so much for your info on this.
i want a 19DC volt power supply which takes 220 AC
Any circuit diagram ?
No not at all.