Wiring 120volt and 240volt Electrical Outlets

Summary: Fully Explained Photos and Wiring Diagrams for Wiring Electrical Outlets with Code Requirements for most new or remodel projects covering 120 volt outlets for specific and general purpose circuits and 240 volt outlets of dedicated circuits used for large appliances and equipment.

Wiring 120volt Outlets and 240volt Outlets for Home Electrical Circuits

Wiring electrical outlets for Range and Dryer Power Outlets in flush mount, surface mount and panel mount versions come equipped with heavy-gauge, double-wire copper alloy contacts. To ensure correct wiring, terminals have ID markings. Flush mount receptacles fit a wide range of wall plates and mounting hardware. The new code requirements of the 4-wire 220 volt and 240 volt outlets for clothes dryers provide for the required separate neutral wire. Their is a lot of confusion about what to do about the electrical wiring connection with a 3-wire plug and a 4-wire plug. This is discussed and shown in the wiring diagrams on the pages linked at the right.

Electrical Wiring for 120Volt Outlets

GFI and GFCI Receptacle Outlets
Dishwasher Outlet
Disposal Outlet
Bedroom AFCI electrical-outlets
Switched Outlets
Half Hot Outlets

Electrical Wiring for 240Volt Outlets

Wiring electrical outlets for Range and Dryer Power Outlets in flush mount, surface mount and panel mount versions come equipped with heavy-gauge, double-wire copper alloy contacts.

To ensure correct wiring, terminals have ID markings. Flush mount receptacles fit a wide range of wall plates and mounting hardware.

The new code requirements of the 4-wire 220 volt and 240 volt outlets for clothes dryers provide for the required separate neutral wire.

Their is a lot of confusion about what to do about the electrical wiring connection with a 3-wire plug and a 4-wire plug. This is discussed and shown in the wiring diagrams on the pages linked at the right.

240 Volt Outlets

RANGE AND DRYER POWER OUTLETS

Kitchen Range and Oven Electrical Outlets

Clothes Dryers Electrical Outlets

NOTE: Both 220 and 240 volt outlets for the home are one in the same.

Newer homes have some 4-wire circuits which are referred to 120/240 Volt, which are typical for the electric dryer and the electric range.

In older homes you will find that the dryer or range may have the older 3-wire circuits which are commonly referred to as 220 volt circuits.

More about Wiring Outlets

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Discussions about Wiring Electrical Outlets

Upgrading Outlet Electrical Wiring

William, from Winnipeg, MB, Canada asks: Hi I'm doing electrical in home which is over 100 years old. I was wondering if I can use the current 2-wire cable that is connected to two-prong outlets to supply power to new grounded outlets.

Dave's Reply: William, No - you should not use the existing 2-wire cable to connect to grounded outlets, unless there is an external or separate ground wire that is available at the outlet box. it is best to replace the old 2-wire un-grounded cable with new 3-wire cable which has the ground wire. The new electrical cable should be installed starting at the electrical panel where the ground wire may be bonded to the main ground terminal or system.

Outdoor Outlet

Alan asks: I'm installing an outdoor outlet. It's one that has a pole stuck into the ground. The question I'm getting is how deep into the ground does the pole have to be to meet code. The last person did a really bad job and this needs to be completely redone. I just want to make sure it's right this time.

Dave's Reply: Alan, this will depend on the type of support that will be used. For example a pressure treated post may be fine if it is 18 inches deep in soil, or 12 inches deep in a concrete footing. The support material and the environment should be considered.

Wiring Mess - Switching Outlets

Dan asks: I live in an apt complex; the guys that fix things do not really know what they are doing, so I usually just do my own repairs. There is a light switch that operates all four plugs on two different outlets. How can I make the switch only control one plug or even just one outlet. Thank you.

Dave's Reply: Dan, it will depend on where the power source is located, the power source being both the hot and the neutral. If the power source is at the outlets then the outlets can be rewired so they are hot all the time, but if the power source is at the wall switch then the conversion may not be possible without installing additional cable. It just all depends on how the outlets and switch wiring have been installed.

Questions about Electrical Outlets

Question from Frank in Findlay, Ohio:
Why Do I Have a Low Voltage Reading on an Electric Wall Outlet?

On my bedroom circuit if I plug in a vacuum that’s 12amps it causes a brown out in the room. The breaker itself is 15 amp. This circuit is also effecting my fridge circuit and caused the fridge to essentially brown out as well, but it’s on its own circuit. Also the electric stove and water heater as well as the garbage disposal will not work either. If you flip on the garbage disposal it will actually brown out the bedroom light circuit. It does not effect any other circuit in the place just that one. I metered all the plugs and got 120VAC. I also metered the incoming power into the box and both hot leads are 120VAC. If I plug the vacuum into the outlet and turn it on I get a reading of 59VAC from the plug in the room and the one associated with the fridge. I switched out breakers and still does it. I’m trying to figure out what would cause this.

Dave’s Answer:
The cause of a Low Voltage Reading on a Electric Outlet Circuit

A low voltage reading as well as other circuits and devices not working properly in the home is typically caused by a lost connection of one of the main power components within the electrical system of the home. This is typically due to a deteriorating electrical connection or component fault which has failed and is causing a low voltage feed back condition. This is a potentially serious condition that could cause damage, therefore the problem should be identified and repaired by a Qualified Electrician or Electrical Contractor as soon as possible.

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Complete Guide to Home Electrical Wiring

Perfect for the Homeowner, Handyman, Electrician and Building Inspector.
Includes:
Wiring Home Electrical Circuits
Electrical Wiring for Disposal and Dishwasher
120 Volt Receptacle Outlet Circuits
240 Volt Appliance Circuits
Wiring for GFCI Outlets
Wiring Electric Dryer Cord and Outlet
Wiring a Range Cord and Circuit
Wiring Methods for Installing Electrical Wiring
Electrical Codes for Home Electrical Wiring
....and much more.
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Electrical Tips to Help You Wire it Right
	The Safest Way to Test Electrical Devices and Identify Electric Wires! The Non-Contact Electrical Tester This is a testing tool that I have had in my personal electrical tool pouch for years, and is the first test tool I grab to help identify electrical wiring. It is a Non-contact tester that I use to easily Detect Voltage in Cables, Cords, Circuit Breakers, Lighting Fixtures, Switches, Outlets and Wires. Simply insert the end of the tester into an outlet, lamp socket, or hold the end of the tester against the wire you wish to test. Very handy and easy to use.
	The Quickest Way to Check for Faulty Electrical Wiring! The Plug-In Outlet Tester This is the first tool I grab to troubleshoot a problem with outlet circuit wiring. This popular tester is also used by most inspectors to test for power and check the polarity of circuit wiring. It detects probable improper wiring conditions in standard 110-125 VAC outlets Provides 6 probable wiring conditions that are quick and easy to read for ultimate efficiency Lights indicate if wiring is correct and indicator light chart is included Tests standard 3-wire outlets UL Listed Light indicates if wiring is incorrect Very handy and easy to use.
	Strip Off Wire Insulation without Nicking and Damaging the Electric Wire! The Wire Stripper and Wire Cutter My absolute favorite wire stripping tool that I have had in my personal electrical tool pouch for years, and this is the tool I use to safely strip electrical wires. This handy tool has multiple uses: The wire gauges are shown on the side of the tool so you know which slot to use for stripping insulation. The end of the tool can be used to grip and bend wire which is handy for attaching wire onto the screw terminals of switches and outlets.. The wire stripper will work on both solid and stranded wire. This tool is Very Handy and Easy to Use.