How do you convert a 240V outlet to run 120V?

Answer 1

=== === == == === === Most homes and businesses are already wired for 240V at the main incoming supply breaker panel.

You just need to have a licensed electrician install an new 240V circuit, including the proper sized wiring and breakers. This would handle larger current loads and be much safer for you and anyone else in your household to use - and for anyone else after you have moved out. <><><>

The best advice anyone should give you is to call a licensed electrician to install a new 240 volt power outlet for you.

He will use the correct size of wire for the 240 volt appliance you want to use -- A water heater? A clothes drier? A kitchen range? -- and connect it to the correct sizes of circuit breakers on the main panel and also a GFCI safety device to protect users from electrocution if the room is likely to be damp or have water spray or wet floors, walls or ceiling, such as a laundry room or a kitchen.

Then you would be able to use a 240 volt appliance safely in the room in question. If you do this work yourself, always turn off the power

at the breaker box/fuse panel BEFORE you attempt to do any work

AND

always use a meter or voltage indicator

to insure the circuit is, in fact, de-energized. IF YOU ARE NOT ALREADY SURE YOU CAN DO THIS JOB

SAFELY AND COMPETENTLY

REFER THIS WORK TO QUALIFIED PROFESSIONALS.

Answer 2

If you are asking about socket outlets the best advice anyone should give you is to install a new 120 volt branch circuit using a proper sizes of circuit breaker, wiring and socket outlet. If it is for use by a kitchen appliance, the correct type of GFCI-protected 120 volt socket outlet must be used in a kitchen area.

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If the voltage you want to convert is alternating current (ac) you could use a transformer of the right size and power rating to supply whatever current is required by the item which needs to be supplied with 120 volts without overheating or catching on fire.

If it is direct current (dc) you can drop the voltage using a resistor wired in series with the item which needs to be supplied with 120 volts. The resistor must be of the sufficient size and power rating to carry whatever current is required by the series circuit without overheating or catching on fire.

Whether for ac or dc, any power conversion devices must always be properly housed in an electrically safe enclosure to ensure that there is no risk of electrocution to anyone using the conversion device or the item it supplies. The enclosure must also be sufficiently well-designed to conduct away any heat which may be generated by the conversion device so that neither it, nor anything near to it, can be set on fire.

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As always, if you are in doubt about what to do, the best advice anyone should give you is to call a licensed electrician to advise what work is needed.

Before you do any work yourself,

on electrical circuits, equipment or appliances,

always use a test meter to ensure the circuit is, in fact, de-energized.

IF YOU ARE NOT ALREADY SURE YOU CAN DO THIS JOB

SAFELY AND COMPETENTLY

REFER THIS WORK TO QUALIFIED PROFESSIONALS.

Answer 3

If it is Alternating Current (AC) you can use a transformer of the right size and power rating to supply whatever current is required by the item which needs to be supplied with 240 Volts without overheating or catching on fire.

If it is Direct Current (DC) you would have to use a special electronic inverter unit to convert 120 Volts DC to 240 Volts DC. Because no common appliances or equipment require that kind of conversion such inverter units are not generally available as consumer items and would have to be specially designed and assembled to do the job.

Note: Electronic inverters to convert 12 Volts DC to 220 - 240 Volts AC are available for use in cars, caravans and similar vehicles.

Whether for AC or DC, any power conversion devices must always be properly housed in an electrically safe enclosure to ensure that there is no risk of electrocution to anyone using the conversion device or the item it supplies. The enclosure must also be sufficiently well designed to conduct away any heat which may be generated by the conversion device so that neither it, nor anything near to it, can be set on fire.

IF YOU ARE NOT ALREADY SURE YOU CAN DO THIS JOB

SAFELY AND COMPETENTLY

REFER THIS WORK TO QUALIFIED PROFESSIONALS.

If you do this work yourself, always turn off the power

at the breaker box/fuse panel BEFORE you attempt to do any work

AND

always use a meter or voltage indicator

to insure the circuit is, in fact, de-energized.

Answer 4

A Discussion has been started for this question. To view it and take part, click the View Discussion button below this answer.

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Please provide the following information:

Is this a dedicated circuit? That is to say, is the cable at the outlet run directly from a two-pole breaker in the panel? If not, forget it.

If so, how many and what color are the wires in the cable, and to what are they connected? Hopefully, you will find a cable with either two insulated wires and a bare ground, three insulated conductors, or three insulated conductors with a bare ground.

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What was plugged in at the 220 volt outlet? Dryer, A/C unit...

What is the amperage of the breaker?

What is the amperage of the 120 volt circuit you want to convert to?

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As always, if you are in doubt about what to do, the best advice anyone should give you is to call a licensed electrician to advise what work is needed.

Before you do any work yourself,
on electrical circuits, equipment or appliances,
always use a test meter to ensure the circuit is, in fact, de-energized.

IF YOU ARE NOT ALREADY SURE YOU CAN DO THIS JOB
SAFELY AND COMPETENTLY
REFER THIS WORK TO QUALIFIED PROFESSIONALS.

Answer 5

It can't be "converted", you have to run a 220 line and have a 220 breaker and plug installed.

Answer 6

with a boost transformer. be careful to size the transformer large enough to handle the entire load