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In a 4 wire, 220v AC circuit, each black wire carries 110v, the white serves as the return, or negative, and the copper is the ground.

So connect the white to the negative post of whatever your using (light or switch), and one of the black wires to the other for a 110V circuit.

If you're connecting a 110v two- strand wire to a 220v outlet, connect one wire to a black post and the other to the white post.

Make sure you have a neutral. Some times the white wire is the second hot and there is no neutral.

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8y ago
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14y ago

Whatever you are thinking of doing it is probably illegal. You can't hook a 110V outlet off a 220V supply as it is very dangerous. The best advice anyone should give you is ask a licensed electrician for advice. : 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 an electrician's test meter having metal-tipped probes

(not a simple proximity voltage indicator)

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

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15y ago

You can't do this unless ithe device was purposely designed to work on either of those voltages - either with a voltage-change switch or not - or on any voltage within a range of voltages, such as from 110 Volts to 240 Volts.

Some appliances, such as electric shavers, etc., have been designed to run safely on different supply voltages. If that is the case the appliance's rating plate will state the range of suitable voltages.

In many cases where the power needed is low, such as (say) less than 30 Watts, a cheap and simple "International Travel Adapter" is all that is needed to make it work. But bear in mind that the mains frequency in Europe and other 230 Volt areas is 50 Hz (Cycles per second) compared to 60 Hz in US, Canada and other 120 Volt areas. Some 60 Hz appliances will work fine but others with simple motors will run too slow on the lower frequency of 50 Hz. It is not possible to use a standard kind of International Travel Adapter for high-powered appliances such as electric kettles because the current they take is much too high. 120 Volt appliances having powers from (say) 100 Watts to 2000 Watts (2kW), or more, would need an expensive item called a "Transformer" or "Auto-transformer" to enable them to be used on a 240 Volt supply. Such Transformers are much bigger and heavier than an International Travel Adapter and much more expensive - they can cost from US$100 upwards, even second-hand, depending on the power to be converted. So most folks would buy an appliance designed to work on 240 Volts.

For more information see the answers to the Related Questions shown below.

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10y ago


You can operate 220-240 volt equipment from standard 110-120 volt outlets with quick220 divices.

See related links below.

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14y ago

You don't. Electric devices like outlets have voltage and current ratings that should not be exceeded. Also, the 240V would have to be run from the main panel and may require a different size wire depending on the current required.

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Q: How do you rewire a 120v outlet to 240v?
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Can you plug a 120v 20 amp wielder into a 240v 40 amp outlet?

Absoluteyl not.


Can you run your neon sign of 120v 50hz 60hz 0.6a 7.5kv 30mA in an Australian 240v power outlet?

No. The neon sign is fed by a step-up transformer. Primary side 120V, secondary side 7500V. If you applied 240 to the primary side you would get 15000 volts on the neon tube. A flash over and then nothing. If you can find a transformer from 120V to 240V or 240V to 120V then you are good to go. Connect 240V to 240V side and you will get 120V out the other, connect the 120V side to the neon sign and you should have light. Transformer should be at least 100va. This will give you an output of .83 amps at 120V


If you have a 240V 22A welder which has a plug similar but smaller than a dryer plug can you use this in a 120V outlet?

yes ofcourse they both are the same


Can you convert an existing 120V plug on an appliance to a 240V plug not speaking of a converter but actually changing the plug so there are no long term effects on the appliance?

If I understand your question, Can you run a 110 appliance off of a 220 volt outlet? You could by only using one leg of the 220. You may also consider changing the outlet. Put in a regular 110 outlet and capping off one leg of the 220 in the wall box. You still have a neutral and a ground to work with. I read this as the questioner doesn't want to modify the outlet. Check the voltage ratings on the device. Many electronic devices nowadays can havdle 120V or 240V as it is cheaper to manufacture one powersupply and sell it everywhere. If your device is rated for 240V, you can put a 240V plug on it. If it only says 120V, no dice. 240V will burn it up.


How do you rewire a 220v lamp for 120v?

If your trying to plug in a 110 Volt lamp into 240 volt outlet the answer is simple. You must buy a step down transformer, or your lamp will burn out.

Related questions

Can 240V washer run on 120V outlet?

No.


What happens if you plug a 120V appliance into a 240V outlet?

You will burn up your appliance!!!!!


If you put a 60W 120V bulb in a 120V lamp that has a transformer for 240V and plug it into a 240V outlet will it work or blow the circuitry?

Off hand no but your explanations are not clear as to who is doing what to whom,,


Can you plug a 120v 20 amp wielder into a 240v 40 amp outlet?

Absoluteyl not.


I have 240V 3 wire twistlock plug and want to wire it so I have 120V outlet?

Don't!


Can you run your neon sign of 120v 50hz 60hz 0.6a 7.5kv 30mA in an Australian 240v power outlet?

No. The neon sign is fed by a step-up transformer. Primary side 120V, secondary side 7500V. If you applied 240 to the primary side you would get 15000 volts on the neon tube. A flash over and then nothing. If you can find a transformer from 120V to 240V or 240V to 120V then you are good to go. Connect 240V to 240V side and you will get 120V out the other, connect the 120V side to the neon sign and you should have light. Transformer should be at least 100va. This will give you an output of .83 amps at 120V


Can you take a 120V winecooler to Europe and use it with an 240V outlet and an adapter?

NO, unless you get a converter that converts 220 to 110.


How do you hook the 4 wires which are 2 whites 1 red and 1 black coming from the back of a generator to an outlet for 120v and 240v?

The whites are Neutrals or Grounds and the Red and Black are each 120v. One white and either the black or red for 120v and one white, both the red and black for 240v.


If you have a 240V 22A welder which has a plug similar but smaller than a dryer plug can you use this in a 120V outlet?

yes ofcourse they both are the same


How do you upgrade from 120V 15A to 120V 20A or from 240V 20A to 240V 30A?

You have to replace the wire (as you are increasing the current capacity), the outlet, and the breaker. Essentially you have to remove the old circuit and put in a new one. You can't reuse parts of the old circuit as you are increasing the current capacity and they would be underrated.


Can you convert an existing 120V plug on an appliance to a 240V plug not speaking of a converter but actually changing the plug so there are no long term effects on the appliance?

If I understand your question, Can you run a 110 appliance off of a 220 volt outlet? You could by only using one leg of the 220. You may also consider changing the outlet. Put in a regular 110 outlet and capping off one leg of the 220 in the wall box. You still have a neutral and a ground to work with. I read this as the questioner doesn't want to modify the outlet. Check the voltage ratings on the device. Many electronic devices nowadays can havdle 120V or 240V as it is cheaper to manufacture one powersupply and sell it everywhere. If your device is rated for 240V, you can put a 240V plug on it. If it only says 120V, no dice. 240V will burn it up.


How do you rewire a 220v lamp for 120v?

If your trying to plug in a 110 Volt lamp into 240 volt outlet the answer is simple. You must buy a step down transformer, or your lamp will burn out.