How to Get 220 Volts at an Electrical Panel
- 1). Turn off electrical power from the main breaker. Remove the outer cover of the panel by removing the four corner screws that are holding it in place. Remove the inner protective door as well. Locate two consecutive empty spots on the hot bars inside the panel and open the corresponding openings in the inner protective door to make space for the new 220-volt circuit breaker. Use either 12/2 or 12/3 electrical wire, depending on the application and appliance that is going to be installed.
- 2). Open any available knockout in the electrical panel and insert the electric wire into it. Secure the electrical wire using a wire connector. Remove six inches of the outer insulation of the electric wire to reveal the black and white wires inside it. Strip a half-inch of insulation off the black wire, then insert it under the first terminal screw on the double-pole circuit breaker. Tighten the screw until it is snug, then pull gently on the wire to make sure it is secure.
- 3). Strip a half-inch of insulation off the white wire, then use the black tape to mark the white wire as hot by applying it to the insulated part of the white wire, covering at least two inches. Insert the white wire with the black marking under the second terminal screw on the double pole circuit breaker. Tighten the screw until snug, then pull gently on the wire to make sure it is secure.
- 4). Put the double-pole circuit breaker in the "OFF" position, then insert it into the correct spot. The double-pole circuit breaker requires two consecutive empty spots on the electric panel. First tilt the circuit breaker 45 degrees, then insert it under the securing notch on the middle pole of the electrical panel. Push back to insert the two hot bars into the double pole circuit breaker to secure the connection. Keep the breaker in the off position until the circuit is completely wired.
- 5). Use No.12/3 wires if a neutral is needed for the 220-volt circuit. No.12/3 wire has three wires inside it: a black, a red and a white wire. The black and red are hot and connected to the double pole circuit breaker. The white wire is neutral and is connected to the neutral bar where all other white wires are connected on the electrical panel. Locate an empty terminal screw on the neutral bar and insert the white wire into it; tighten the screw.
- 6). Follow the instructions at the other end of the line to correctly wire the desired appliances. Some will use 220/20 amps, others may use 220/30 or 50 amps depending on the application. Consult the user's manual for the correct connection of the outlet.
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