Single Phrase 220?

Question

Hi again. My friend asked the electrian for his company, and he said that appliances can run on a single phrase 220 with just the two hot wires, which is what I have. The electrians who recently did the rewiring in my apt. blg. must have screwed it up in the circuit breaker panel. Does this make sense. Thx again.

Answer 1

Depending on the appliance it may be single phase 220 or two phases of 110.  Your kitchen range is an example of both.  The oven heating elements usually run on 220 without the neutral, but the stovetop heating elements, lights, clock, etc run on 110.  Most appliances have the neutral running to them, but an example of one that doesn't normally have the neutral is electric baseboard heaters - it is single phase 220 so no neutral, but it does have a ground.  Your electric dryer, kitchen range and air conditioner (if it is 220) all should have the neutral and all have two breakers (normally ganged) associated with them.

Answer 2

Wired is partially right.  Stove tops can run on single phase 220 or 2 phase 208 (which is single phase also except all you are using is the high leg of a three phase system and ground)  most of the stoves built in the 90's through now are 220 volt  for the range  and stove elements.  Sometimes you get a jennair that has a motor in it for a fan but most of these are also 220.  The lights and controls in them now are run off a transformer to 24 volts.  It is still a good idea to have a ground attached to it for safety sake.