Larger appliances like dryers, stoves, and air conditioners need more power and can use a two-phase 220-volt outlet.If you don't already have a 220V outlet installed, you will need to wire a new one where you want to install the appliance.A project that someone with experience working with electricity can do safely is wiring a new 220 outlet.If you don't know what you're doing, you should hire an electrician to work on your circuit breaker box and electrical system.
Step 1: The main power on the circuit breaker box should be turned off.
The circuit breaker box is usually located in the basement, hallway, or kitchen.The breaker switch that controls the power in your home should be on either the top or side of the box.It is safe to work on your electrical system if you flip the switch to the Off position.If other people know not to turn the switch on while you are working, tape it off.Don't work on your electrical system while the power is on.It could result in serious injury or death.If you want to double check if they still have power, you can use a contact voltage tester on the wires inside the circuit breaker box.
Step 2: You can make a hole in the wall to install the 220 outlet that matches the size of the outlet box you are using.
You should use an outlet box that is large enough to hold the 220 outlet you plan on installing.You can trace the outline of the box on the wall with a pencil if you find a spot next to a stud.To set the outlet box inside, you need to cut through your wall along the outline you drew.Outlet boxes can be purchased from your local hardware store.You have to hide wires inside of deeper outlet boxes.If you have cement or brick walls, you can mount the outlet box directly on the wall.
Step 3: Take the distance from the circuit breaker box to where you want to put the outlet.
You can find the shortest route from the outlet to the main circuit breaker box.It is possible to find the shortest route through the walls of your home.You can extend a tape measure from the outlet box to the circuit breaker box.It's easier to run the wires through the floor than through your walls.Depending on the layout of your home and the obstacles between the outlet and circuit breaker box, you may need to take multiple measurements.
Step 4: It is 2–3 ft longer than your measurement if you cut 10/4 cable.
There are wires inside of 10/4 cable.If you want to maneuver the wires around, you need to stretch out the cable so it is the same length as the measurement.To cut through the ends of the cable, use a pair of wire cutter.You can find 10/4 cable and wire cutter at your local hardware store.The wire gauge is referred to as the 10.If you want, you can use 8-gauge wires for your 220 outlet.
Step 5: You can run the cable to the circuit breaker box by drilling a hole near it.
You can find the spot on the ceiling or wall by looking at the circuit breaker box.To make a hole larger than the diameter of the cable, use a drill or a saw to cut through the wall or ceiling.The cable will run out of the hole when you finish.If you need to cut through concrete or brick, use a drill with a masonry bit so you don't cause any damage to the tool or the wall.
Step 6: You need to install electrical conduit between the breaker box and the hole you drilled.
220 lines can't be exposed outside of your walls since they can easily get damaged, which could cause serious injury or death.Get enough metal conduit to run from the side of the breaker box to the hole you cut and attach it to your wall using conduit straps every 2–1 feet (30–61 cm).You need to install conduit through the floor if the 220 line goes through it.It is not necessary to run conduit in your walls.
Step 7: You can fish the cable.
If you want to easily pull wires and cables through your wall, use a fish tape, which is a long flexible cable with a hook on the end.Feed the fish tape into the hole near the circuit breaker box and push it through to the outlet box.Attach the cable to the hook on the fish tape when it reaches the outlet hole.Go back to your circuit breaker box and use the fish tape to pull the cable out of the hole.Fish tape can be purchased from a hardware store or online.Attach metal conduits to your wall and feed the cable through it if you don't want to fish it through your walls.You can find metal conduits at your local hardware store.
Step 8: The outlet box should be put into the wall.
The 10/4 cable has a hole on the back of the outlet box.Attach the screw on the side of the box to the wall stud next to it by positioning the outlet box inside the hole.If you are attaching the outlet box to a concrete or brick wall, be sure to use masonry anchors so the screws don't slip out of place.
Step 9: The outer coating of the cable needs to be removed.
The wire stripper is 1 foot (30 cm) from the end of the 10/4 cable.Remove the wire stripper from the end of the cable to expose the wires inside.Attach the stripper around the cable again if the coating doesn't come off right away.If you can't get a wire stripper to take off the cable's coating, cut through it with a utility knife and peel the coating back to expose the wires.
Step 10: There is insulation off the ends of each wire.
If you want to remove the insulation, you need to work on 1 wire at a time.Take the last 2 inch of wire from the jaws of the wire stripper and squeeze the handles together.Pull the wire stripper to get rid of the insulation.The process for the other wires should be repeated.
Step 11: Attach the white wire to the outlet with a neutral screw.
If you want to push the end of the white wire into the outlet, you have to locate the port on the side of it that is under the neutral screw.Attach the white wire with a screwdriver and tighten the screw.To make sure the white wire doesn't come loose, lightly tug it.If the screw on the outlet is painted white, you can see which wire is supposed to go around it.
Step 12: Attach the green wire to the screw.
The green or ground screw is directly across from the neutral screw.Put the green wire in the port next to the grounding screw and tighten it with a screwdriver so it doesn't fall out.Pull the green wire to make sure it doesn't fall out of the outlet.The metal strap that extends out from the back of the outlet may hold the screw.
Step 13: Attach the wires to the hot ports on the back of the outlet.
The hot screws are left on the back of the outlet.The end of the black wire should be in the port next to the unlabeled screws.Attach the wires to the screws with a screwdriver.The red or black wire will carry the same current to the outlet regardless of which screw is attached.
Step 14: Attach the wires and outlet to the box.
Attach the wires to the back of the box.Push the outlet in front of the wires so the screw holes on it line up.Use a screwdriver to hold the outlet in place.To hide the inside of the outlet box, screw a wall plate over it.To get to the wires, remove the wall plate.
Step 15: The wires that connect to the circuit breaker should be removed.
Pull the last 1–2 feet (30–61 cm) of the 10/4 cable between the jaws of a wire stripper to cut off the coating.Attach the stripper to the ends of the wire and remove the insulation around them.Don't damage them if you work on 1 wire at a time.If you can't remove the coating with your wire strippers, use a utility knife.
Step 16: The front of the box has a safety panel.
All of the wires and breakers are hidden in the safety panel on the circuit breaker box.If you want to loosen the screws around the edges of the circuit breaker box, you have to do itcounterclockwise.The panel is out of the way if you set it aside.The power is still on so don't remove the safety panel cover.This could cause someone to die.
Step 17: The circuit breaker box has a circular knockout on it.
The knockout is a circular piece that has a precut edge around it, and can be found on the sides or top of the circuit breaker box.Put the end of a screwdriver in the middle of the circle and use a hammer to punch the knockout out from the side.If there is room for your cable, you can use a hole in the side of your circuit breaker box.If there aren't any more knockouts you can use, you may have to drill through the circuit breaker box.It's important to use a drill bit meant for metal.
Step 18: You just knocked out a hole, put a cable clamp in it.
A cable clamp is a small cylindrical shape with metal bars on top to protect cables and hold them so they don't slip.If you want to slide the cable through the hole, you have to match the size of the knockout on the circuit breaker box.To hold the locking nut against the box, you have to screw it onto the threaded end.The local hardware store can sell you cable clamps.
Step 19: Feed the wires from the cable into the box.
Push the 4 wires from the 10/4 line between the bars on top of the cable clamp to the circuit breaker box.Pull the wires out of the box completely so you have enough wire to work with.Once the wires are inside, tighten the screws on the top bars to prevent them from moving.Don't feed any part of the 10/4 cable that still has the outer coating since it will not hold the wires securely.If you need to pull more wire into the circuit breaker box, you can loosen the clamps.
Step 20: The double-pole breaker needs to be installed on the circuit.
A double-pole breaker allows twice the power to run through it as a standard 15-amp single pole breaker, and takes up the same amount of space as 2 single- pole breakers.There is a spot along the line where the double-pole breaker can fit.Push the top of the breaker into the metal clips inside the box before pushing the bottom into place.Double-pole breakers can be purchased from your local hardware store.You should get a breaker that matches the brand you have.Before you install it, make sure the breaker is off.Check the instructions before you install the breakers so you don't damage them.
Step 21: There are red and black wires in the breaker.
The 2 ports in the bottom of the breaker are where you will connect the power.Feed one of the wires into each port.To hold the wires in place, tighten the screws on the bottom of the breaker.Since the black and red wires are transferring power to the outlet, it doesn't matter which port they go into.
Step 22: The green and white wires need to be wrapped around the screws.
The grounding bar is attached to the inside of the circuit breaker box with multiple screws and wires.Wrap the ends of the wires around the screws on the bar.The wires don't move if the screws are tightened.Since you could cause a current to travel to a different appliance if you wrapped the wires around the screws, don't do it.
Step 23: The safety cover of the circuit breaker box has slots on it.
If you want to find the new breaker, hold the safety panel up to the circuit breaker box.Put the end of your screwdriver over the slots where the breaker would go, and then use a hammer to punch it out.Pull off the piece of the safety panel you punched out.If the breaker already lines up with the existing hole in the panel, you don't have to punch out any slots.
Step 24: Before turning on the circuit breaker box, you need to screw the cover back on.
Attach the screws to the circuit breaker box with a screwdriver.The front of the box should have a safety panel on it.If you want to use your outlet, turn the main power back on the circuit breaker box.