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[Amps] 220 volt outlets

To: amps@contesting.com
Subject: [Amps] 220 volt outlets
From: Gudguyham@aol.com
Date: Mon, 7 Feb 2005 19:56:09 EST
List-post: <mailto:amps@contesting.com>
Gentlemen, using a couple of exstention cords plugged into 2 different  
outlets in a house that are on different phases will give you the needed 220  
volts 
in a pinch.  You would probably not want to do this on a regular  basis 
because the 2 breakers associated with each 120volt circuit are not ganged  
together as they would be with a regular 2 pole 220 volt breaker.
 
Someone suggested moving breakers around in the electrical panel.....Hams  
like to do electrical in their own homes, but I caution you about moving  
breakers around into different locations in a panel.........WHY?  
 
REASON:  In some instances a house could be wired with many 3 wire 2  circuit 
configurations.  Often times (to save wire) electricians will run a  14-3 or 
a 12-3 to a kitchen for example.  At that point they will split the  3 wire 
like this, red wire for the fridge, black wire for the microwave oven  with the 
white wire a "common nuetral" for both.  At the panel the red wire  gets a 
breaker and the black wire gets a breaker.  The IMPORTANT thing here  in this 
situation is that the red wire breaker and the black wire breaker MUST  be 
connected to opposing phases (opposite).  By one moving breakers around  in a 
panel 
and changing the phases that are associated with the wires involved,  one can 
inadvertantly put a breaker asscociated with a wire from a 3 wire system  on 
the SAME phase as its counterpart wire.  This is a PROBLEM!!!!!!!   If this 
done, it is possible to overload the nuetral wire by 2 times its  capacity and 
a 
fire can result!!!!!!!!!!!!  Be careful about moving the  location of breakers 
in a panel if there are 3 wire circuits involved in your  panel.  
 
If all wires coming into your panel are 2 wire circuits, this is not a  
problem.  If you see 120volt circuits that have red wires on them, beware  of 
this 
situation.   
 
I just thought I would mention this for those that are not aware of this  
potential problem.  If you have moved breakers around in your panel, you  might 
want to take a close look to see that you dont have a red and black wire  
associated with each other on the same phase.
 
MOST electrical panels alternate phases, however, if you have the  
"push-a-matic" type or "Bulldog" breaker panels, they DO NOT alterrnate.
 
Thanks for your ears............73 Louie W1QJ
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