ECN Electrical Forum - Discussion Forums for Electricians, Inspectors and Related Professionals
ECN Shout Chat
ShoutChat
Recent Posts
Increasing demand factors in residential
by gfretwell - 03/28/24 12:43 AM
Portable generator question
by Steve Miller - 03/19/24 08:50 PM
Do we need grounding?
by NORCAL - 03/19/24 05:11 PM
240V only in a home and NEC?
by dsk - 03/19/24 06:33 AM
Cordless Tools: The Obvious Question
by renosteinke - 03/14/24 08:05 PM
New in the Gallery:
This is a new one
This is a new one
by timmp, September 24
Few pics I found
Few pics I found
by timmp, August 15
Who's Online Now
1 members (gfretwell), 32 guests, and 14 robots.
Key: Admin, Global Mod, Mod
Previous Thread
Next Thread
Print Thread
Rate Thread
Page 1 of 2 1 2
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 552
T
Member
I ran across the link to this this contraption on another site. It requires that you run 2 separate extension cords to outlets on different phases to obtain 220 volts. Will wonders never cease [Linked Image]
http://www.quick220.com/
Quote
How do I use the Quick 220 Voltage Converter? Click here for pictures.
First, connect a power cord from the Quick 220 Voltage Converter to a standard 110 volt outlet.
Next, connect a second power cord from the Quick 220 Voltage Converter to an independent 110 volt outlet.
220 volts is now available at the 220 volt outlet on the rear panel of the Quick 220 Voltage Converter. Plug in and use your 220 volts.
Back to Top

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
What do you mean by "independent 110 volt outlets?"
Technically, the AC voltage of the two outlets are 180 degrees out of phase. Practically, you find the "independent outlet" by moving the second power cord to different outlets until the green light on the front panel goes on. About half the outlets in a building will be "independent" of the other half.

Back to Top


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
What size power cords should I use?
Use heavy duty, 12-3 AWG power cords with 3 prong plugs. These are available at most hardware and home centers.

Choose cord lengths which are appropriate for your purpose. You may choose to have one short and one long, depending on your outlet locations. The length of the two extension cords, added together, should not exceed 50 feet.

Back to Top

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

How much power can I draw from the 220 volt outlet on the Quick 220 Voltage Converter?
The Quick 220 Voltage Converter will supply 15 or 20 amperes on a continuous basis, depending upon the model selected.
If your equipment is rated in watts, 15 amperes is the same as 3300 watts continuous and 20 amperes is the same as 4400 watts continuous.
If motors don't show an ampere rating, as a rule of thumb, use 15 ampere models for motors up to 3 horsepower, and 20 ampere models for motors up to 4 horsepower.
For the 15 ampere (3300 watt) systems, momentary loads of 75 amperes or 16,500 watts can be supported. For the 20 ampere (4400 watt) systems, the momentary load is 100 amperes (22,000 watts). Momentary loads are often encountered when starting motors or when powering up electronic equipment.
One can not draw more current (amperes) from the wall outlet than its circuit breaker or fuse rating. This includes the current required by your 220 volt load plus any 110 volt item which may share the same circuit: lamps, stereos, hair dryers, etc. It may be necessary to disconnect the lamps, stereos, hair dryers, etc., if you trip a circuit breaker and need to reset it..
Back to Top

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

How much power does the Quick 220 Voltage Converter consume in converting 110 volts to 220 volts?
Power consumption to operate the Quick 220 Power Converter is 4 watts (or 0.02 ampere), about the same as a child's night light.

The total actual power consumption is the power required by your 220 volt equipment plus 4 watts (or 0.02 ampere). For example, Your equipment consumes 2000 watts, plus 4 watts for the Quick 220 Voltage Converter, is a total of 2004 watts.

Back to Top

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Safety?

To protect people and equipment, the Quick 220 Voltage Converter's safety interlock blocks all power to the 220 volt outlet until electrical connections are complete and correct. As an added safety feature, internal test circuits are employed to assure wiring and polarity are correct.

Back to Top

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

How large is the Quick 220 Voltage Converter?
About 6 inches wide by 6 inches deep by 4 inches high. It weighs less than 5 pounds.

Back to Top

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

How do I connect to the Quick 220 Voltage Converter?

It is supplied with 2 standard, 3 prong, 110 volt connectors on the rear panel for input voltages and one 220 volt outlet for the output. Connect your 110 volt extension cords to the Quick 220 Voltage Converter, connect your 220 volt appliance.

Back to Top

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

What is meant by 110 volts and 220 volts?

110 volts is the electrical voltage supplied at the standard wall outlet in the United States. More accurately, it ranges between 108 and 132 volts, 60 Hertz alternating current, single phase.
220 volts ranges between 216 and 264 volts, 60 Hertz alternating current, single phase.
Back to Top


[This message has been edited by txsparky (edited 10-23-2003).]


Donnie
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 1,374
R
Moderator
Uh oh my breaker keeps tripping! Guess I'll install a bigger one for my handy dandy volatage converter!

I'm afraid I'm going to read about some idiot using this in the newspaper pretty soon [Linked Image]


Ryan Jackson,
Salt Lake City
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 119
C
Member
Can't you do that without that thing?
2 extension cords(Gasp!) pluged into to differt sides of the breaker panel will give you 220 Volts right now just splice them into the desierd 220 outlet and wahla am I wrong so what does that thing do that is so special?


Theres always enough room in the junction box.You just need a bigger hammer
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 1,374
R
Moderator
I'm trying to think of all the code violations involved here and don't know even know where to start. How about using parrellel #12 for the nuetral (assuming the equipment has line to nuetral loads).


Ryan Jackson,
Salt Lake City
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 1,716
R
Member
Did anyone see a UL, ETL, or CSA listing?

Roger

Joined: May 2001
Posts: 552
T
Member
Or handle ties on the breakers?


Donnie
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 794
Likes: 3
W
Member
I admit to having done this (using two plugs to get 220V from 110V outlets) but I wouldn't set such a thing loose on the public. I connected both green wires together to get the ground for the 220V socket, and one black wire to one of the hot contacts of the 220V socket, and the other black wire to the other. *HOWEVER* there is a serious safety hazard in that if one of the plugs to the wall plugs is pulled, and the other not, and if the load is still turned on, you have a male plug with a hot prong to shock you. So I do not recommend that anyone ever do this. I did not connect the neutrals together or to anything else.

Joined: May 2001
Posts: 552
T
Member
I inquired about the UL listing. This was their response.
Quote
To: Donnie McMayon

Thank you for your inquiry concerning the Quick 220 Voltage Converter.
Since this product is manufactured on a semi-custom basis, it is not UL
listed. All electrical components are UL listed


Donnie
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 6
K
Junior Member
For the cost of one of those items. A homeowner would be a lot better off to hire
a qualified electrician to install a 220v
circuit i would think.

Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 2,749
Member
V I O L A T I O N!!

Quote
406.6 Attachment Plugs.

All attachment plugs and cord connectors shall be listed for the purpose and marked with the manufacturer’s name or identification and voltage and ampere ratings.

(A) Attachment plugs and cord connectors shall be constructed so that there are no exposed current-carrying parts except the prongs, blades, or pins. The cover for wire terminations shall be a part that is essential for the operation of an attachment plug or connector (dead-front construction).

(B) Attachment plugs shall be installed so that their prongs, blades, or pins are not energized unless inserted into an energized receptacle.

No receptacle shall be installed so as to require an energized attachment plug as its source of supply.


Joe Tedesco, NEC Consultant
Page 1 of 2 1 2

Link Copied to Clipboard
Powered by UBB.threads™ PHP Forum Software 7.7.5