I need to make my regular outlet into a 220 for an ac, How do i do this?

Question

i need to put a big ac downstairs, to cool off the whole first floor. My step father is an electrican so i know he can do the job, but he was telling me that i might not be able to because my house is so old. What is the highest BTU i can buy using a regular house plug? Just incase i cant get a 220 by sat for my sons party. thank you

My stepdad is not in the mood today so im not going to bother him today!

Answer 1

A quicky job could be done, but I - and any electrician (especially a relative) would advise against it.

At 220V single-phase circuit requires 3 wires - one from each "leg" of the incoming power, and a ground. The wire colours are typically red, black, and bare. For a 'split' 220V (i.e. a kitchen outlet) the neutral (white) wire is also required.

All home electrical panels have 220V coming in - your stove/oven uses it, and if your dryer is electrical (rather than gas or the MUCH more efficient solar/wind clothesline) uses it.

The electrician would have to run a wire and outlet to near your A/C, with the correct plug.

In a pinch, you could buy or get a stove plug or dryer plug, cut the end off your AC plug (or make an adapter using a stove plug and a 220V socket that matches your AC plug).

Anyway you attempt it, do NOT try to do it yourself. A little cool is NOT worth the damage or injury you could cause.

Answer 2

You will need to run a whole new circuit for the 220v unit. Different kind and size of wire are needed as well as a 220v breaker. The plug is of course different and the one that is already there is part of a system that contains other plugs or lights. Best bet is get the electrician to do the job. Biggest unit for 120v would be around 13,500 BTUs.

Answer 3

This is not just a matter of putting a new outlet in the wall.  First, the 220 volt outlet needs a 2-pole breaker in the panel to replace the 120 volt 1-pole breaker that currently feeds that outlet.  The wire must be at least a 12 ga. with 2 conducters and ground.  Then a 220 volt outlet replaces the 120 volt outlet.  If your stepdad is an electrician, he already knows all this.

Answer 4

The biggest 110v unit I have seen is a 12kbtu (1220watt).The problem with changeing 110v to 220v is going to be determineing what else is on the outlet that you are going to use's breaker.To save money wall outlets(and lights) are daisy chained.Or he can conduit you a new outlet(sometimes easier)

Answer 5

Don't use any ac that needs more than a 15 amp circuit