A 220 volt outlet can handle major appliances.
Wiring a 220 volt electrical outlet will allow you to not only power an electric dryer, but also any additional heavy power tools, such as an air compressor or generator. A 220 volt outlet is double the voltage of a typical home outlet and requires the use of an electrical cable with four wires. Two of the wires carry 110 volts each. There's also a neutral wire and a ground for safety. Consult a licensed electrician before beginning any work.
Instructions
1. Turn the main power breaker to the "Off" position, located on the main circuit panel. Remove the four screws in each corner of the cover panel on the box using the screwdriver, then set the panel and screws aside.
2. Measure up from the floor 18 inches, directly under the main circuit panel, and mark the wall. Cut out a 3-inch hole in the wall with the key hole saw. Make sure the cut on the wall is in the same wall cavity as the circuit panel, for direct access.
3. Open one of the twist out holes in the bottom of the circuit panel box, using the screwdriver. Run the electrical cable through the hole, into the wall and out the hole cut open in Step 2. Leave about 2 feet of extra wire in the circuit box and about 6 inches out of the hole in the wall, then cut away any extra wire.
4. Strip away about 10 inches of the outer sheathing on the end of the cable in the circuit box to reveal four wires in the cable, three insulated and one bare. Strip about 2 inches of the insulation off of each of the three insulated wires. Repeat this step on the other end of the wire, extending out of the hole, but only strip away about 3 inches of the outer sheathing.
5. Locate an open bay to insert and connect the 220 volt circuit breaker in the main circuit panel/box. Insert and connect the circuit breaker into the panel by lining up the two U-shaped clamps on the bottom of the breaker with the two pins on the panel. Press the breaker down on the pins until you hear it click and lock into position.
6. Attach the wiring from the new electrical cable in the circuit box to the new breaker using the screwdriver and the following connections. Connect the red and black (hot) wires underneath the two screws on the new 220 volt circuit breaker (one wire to each screw) and tighten them down. Connect the white (neutral) wire to the neutral bus running down the center of the circuit panel/box. Connect the bare (ground) wire to the grounding strip running along the bottom of the panel. Tighten each wire underneath the screws.
7. Run the wiring out of the hole through the back and out the front of the 220 volt outlet. Affix the outlet to the wall, lining up the hole in the outlet with the hole in the wall. Use the screwdriver and included screws in the kit to attach it to the wall. Connect the wiring underneath each of the screws using the screwdriver and the following connections. Connect the red and black (hot) wires to the two outside brass screws. Connect the white (neutral) wire to the center, silver screw and connect the bare (ground) wire to the green screws. Tighten each of the wires underneath the screws.
8. Install the cover plate over the outlet, attach it with the included screws and tighten them down with the screwdriver. Replace the cover panel over the main circuit panel/box, insert the four screws into the corners and tighten them down with the screwdriver.
9. Turn the main power breaker on, and the new 220 volt breaker to the "On" position. Plug in a dryer to test for power.
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