make 240 volts from 120 at outlet?

D

David Nugent

Guest
Is it possible to (at an electrical outlet), make 240volts from putting 2
120 vac in series? I've got some 240 volt fan motors that I want to work
on. They don't draw much current. They will run at 120v, but not at the
proper speed for me to test them properly. I was wondering if it was
possible to just take 2 electical cords, wire them in series and have 240
ac?

Comments/Suggestions ?

Dave..
 
You need a 120V / 240V transformer.

Do *not* mess with the cables, it might be the last thing
you do. Ever.

Jan-Erik.

David Nugent wrote:
Is it possible to (at an electrical outlet), make 240volts from putting 2
120 vac in series? I've got some 240 volt fan motors that I want to work
on. They don't draw much current. They will run at 120v, but not at the
proper speed for me to test them properly. I was wondering if it was
possible to just take 2 electical cords, wire them in series and have 240
ac?

Comments/Suggestions ?

Dave..
Click to expand...
 
Normally, no. Standard duplex (two connection) outlets are connected to a
single 120volt feed.

Some kitchen/workshop "work center" quad outlets (two duplex outlets in the same
box) are connected to a 240volt feed which is split into two 120 volt lines at
the quad box. With one of these outlets, you can get 120 from an outlet on the
left and another 120 (the other side of the "240 and neutral" feed) from an
outlet on the right.

Be aware that you are dealing with deadly voltages and that
1. the wiring must be correctly phased to get 240 volts
2. you may not be knowledgeable enough to do this safely
3. I take no responsibility for any damage you may cause to people or property



"David Nugent" <dnugent@syd.eastlink.ca> wrote:

Is it possible to (at an electrical outlet), make 240volts from putting 2
120 vac in series? I've got some 240 volt fan motors that I want to work
on. They don't draw much current. They will run at 120v, but not at the
proper speed for me to test them properly. I was wondering if it was
possible to just take 2 electical cords, wire them in series and have 240
ac?

Comments/Suggestions ?

Dave..
Click to expand...
More about me: http://thelabwiz.home.mindspring.com/
VB3 source code: http://thelabwiz.home.mindspring.com/vbsource.html
VB6 source code: http://thelabwiz.home.mindspring.com/vb6source.html
VB6 - MySQL how to: http://thelabwiz.home.mindspring.com/mysql.html
My newest language - NSBasic for the Palm PDA: http://thelabwiz.home.mindspring.com/nsbsource.html
Drivers for Pablo graphics tablet and JamCam cameras: http://home.earthlink.net/~mwbt/
johnecarter atat mindspring dotdot com. Fix the obvious to reply by email.
 
On Thu, 21 Aug 2003, Fritz Schlunder wrote:

Err... Yeah I'm afraid you can't do that. It doesn't work that way. If
the 120V coming out of each plug were isolated from each other you could do
it, but that isn't what comes out of the wall. The stuff that comes out of
one outlet is identical to the stuff that comes out of the other outlet...

If you want to try it anyways, make sure your pacemaker has a better than
lifetime warranty and is working in tip top shape. Also put on some eye
protection. Also make sure to relieve yourself fully in the bathroom before
trying this out. The result will be a most impressive bang accompanied by a
very bright flash and a blown fuse and or circuit breaker.
Click to expand...
One time, when I was a custodian/maintenance man for a church/private
school, I had a call about a light switch in the boys bathroom was not
working. So, I goes and check it out, the light switch has a spring in it
that broke. Since it wasn't anything minor, I figured I could quickly
change it out. I poked my screwdriver behind the switch and received an
unusual tingling sensations from my arm to my chest. I think I jumped
back, but it happen so fast I don't remember much. After that, I went to
the breaker box and shut of the power for the boys bathroom!;-) The whole
day I felt the 'tingling' sensations in my arm. I have not gotten bit
since then, yet! Sometimes, we get into a hurry and forget to do the most
basic things!

chesucat

--
chesucat@sdf.lonestar.org
SDF Public Access UNIX System - http://sdf.lonestar.org
First Law of Socio-Genetics:
Celibacy is not hereditary.
 
240V is available in most homes, via a clothes dryer outlet. You can call an
electrician and have him install another 240V outlet for you where ever you
wish.

To see if a duplex outlet has 240V connected (and not just 120V) use a
multimeter set to AC Volts (>250V) and stick the probes into the duplex
sockets. Try measuring from the left side of one outlet to the right side of
the other. Be very careful to ensure the metal portion of the probes never
tough each other. Try this in the kitchen as those outlets frequently have
seperate 120V feeds to each outlet. Toasters, kettles, etc. all draw a lot
of power. These outlets may be wired as 2 fused 120V feeds or a fused 240V
feed, depending on what the electricians did. The multimeter will tell you
which.

If you don't know how to use a multimeter, or how to set it properly, then
get someone who does to do the measuring for you.

Hope this helps.
Dana Frank Raymond


"David Nugent" <dnugent@syd.eastlink.ca> wrote in message
news:tB91b.59981$PD3.4616556@nnrp1.uunet.ca...
Is it possible to (at an electrical outlet), make 240volts from putting 2
120 vac in series? I've got some 240 volt fan motors that I want to work
on. They don't draw much current. They will run at 120v, but not at the
proper speed for me to test them properly. I was wondering if it was
possible to just take 2 electical cords, wire them in series and have 240
ac?

Comments/Suggestions ?

Dave..
Click to expand...
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Welcome to EDABoard.com

Sponsor

Back
Top