Re: 240V circuit loading

Tim Williams wrote:
"Chris" <cfoley1064@xxxxxxxxx> wrote in message
news:1143758882.358568.272600@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Hi, Tim. Prime directive no-no here -- don't use ground to run
current. Safety only, sir, just like you thought.


Ya, but I'm asking, is this outlet specifically 240V only? Perhaps I should
ask, is it legal to use three prongs for 120-0-120 plus safety ground?


This is not a receptacle rating issue, it is a code
issue. Used to be that for some appliances you were
allowed to use it that way, but current code requires
a 4 prong receptacle/4 wire circuit.

Regarding the receptacle: for 240 volts only in new wiring;
in older wiring was used for 120-0-120 and 240 simultaneously.
Example - a 240 V electric range with 120V clock/lights.

I say use it as is. Now it is mandatory to include
the following for the benefit of those who may become
agitated by that opinion: If your house burns down from
your induction heater, it won't matter if it was connected
via a 4 prong or a 3 prong. Electrically, the current
that ends up on the ground/neutral wire can't tell the
difference. It won't heat the wire one little bit more or
less, regardless of what you call the wire. If your device
burns down your house or kills somebody, your legal problems
are related to the "experimental device", not to the way
it was connected. A simple code violation fades to
insignificance as compared to the implications of using
an "experimental device".

What you do not want to do is add a supplemental ground.
If you do that, then you need to go to a 4 wire connection,
and you need to bond the supplemental ground to the
house grounding electrode system.

Finally (and again to make the naysayers happy) your
existing circuit needs to be in good shape/properly
sized conductors/correctly installed etc. Obviously,
if the existing wiring is somehow deficient, you'll
need to run a new 4-wire circuit. But you knew all of
that.

Ed


Carefully pop open the box cover with the circuit breaker off, and look
to see if the neutral wire (the white one) was brought along. If so,
it would be a simple thing to install another box right next to the
240V honker.


OK.


You really knew the right answer.


I'm guessing such would use a four-prong (two pole) style outlet, but that's
just a guess, which is exactly why I'm asking.

Tim

--
Deep Fryer: a very philosophical monk.
Website: http://webpages.charter.net/dawill/tmoranwms


.

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