[Boatanchors] Running European 230 VAC on our AC

WA5CAB at cs.com WA5CAB at cs.com
Fri Oct 19 18:12:00 EDT 2012


Ken, 

It depends upon whether the outlet you are talking about is 3-wire (240 V 
only) or 4-wire (120/240).  In most US jurisdictions, the service entrance 
panel is set up for 4-wire.  The buss for all of the white Neutral wires 
should not have the grounding screw installed.  But any 240 volt appliance that 
has no need for 120 volts for auxiliary equipment may be wired 3-wire, which 
is 120, 120 and Ground (no Neutral.  This typically includes most electric 
dryers and space heaters.  Electric ovens will usually be wired 4-wire as at 
a minimum the lamp inside will be 120 V.  In ours, the control panel and 
timer are also on 120 V.  I know that Ground and Neutral are commoned at the 
pole but you aren't supposed to (can't legally) draw power from the ground 
wire and shouldn't (can't legally) use the Neutral as a safety ground.

Robert D.

In a message dated 10/19/2012 16:15:12 PM Central Daylight Time, 
ken at wa0sbu.com writes: 
> None of my 240 is wired that way.  120 on Hot 1, 120 on Hot 2.  And a 
> ground.  240Volt has 2 Hot wires.
> Hot wires can be Black-Red or Black-White
> Neutral not required for 240V.
> 
> On 10/19/2012 03:11 PM, rbethman wrote:
> >The 240VAC by NEC, is 240 on one prong, Neutral on the other, and ground
> >in the ground prong.
> >
> >The house can power it.  BUT - sounds like you need an electrician to
> >run an outlet for you.
> >
> >Bob - N0DGN
> >
> >On 10/19/2012 3:59 PM, Keith Densmore wrote:
> >>Greetings,
> >>I am not much experienced in running 220 volt lines so this leads to a 
> question.
> >>I have aquired a German teleprinter which needs 220-240 VAC at 40 to 70 
> Hz. 150 Watts.
> >>
> >>The German plug is 3 prongs 230-- neutral --- ground.
> >>As I understand it,  the 240 over here is 120-neutral-120 ground.
> >>Can I use the house current to power this machine or should I use a 120 
> volt stepped up to 230 through a transformer? The cycles are not a 
> problems, the German unit will work on 60 HZ.
> >>Thanks,
> >>    better to ask than blow up something, hi.
> >>
> >>73,
> >>Keith
> 

Robert & Susan Downs - Houston
wa5cab dot com (Web Store)
MVPA 9480


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