this post was submitted on 02 Mar 2024
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[–] Rustmilian -1 points 8 months ago* (last edited 8 months ago) (2 children)

Just plug it into an outlet that outputs higher voltage(you can't lol). The US household standard is actually higher than the UK(230V 50Hz) at 240V 60Hz, the output of the outlet is just dependent on what devices it's intended for. General outlets output 110-120V 60Hz, outlets intended for say an electric stovetop or dyer output 220-240V 60Hz. Too hard to access? Literally can't go wrong with these bad boys.

Wikipedia

Today, virtually all American homes and businesses have access to 120 and 240 V at 60 Hz. Both voltages are available on the three wires (two "hot" legs of opposite phase and one "neutral" leg).

[–] singron 1 points 8 months ago (1 children)

Before an American lights their house on fire, do not plug a 120V appliance into an 240V circuit using one of these adapters. If you live in North America, a 240V appliance will not use an ordinary plug, and the 120V ones that do will probably light on fire if you plug it into one of these. You need to import a 240V appliance from a different country, and then it will use the plug from that country and not an North American plug.

Also for the non-Americans, 240V circuits in NA need 4 wires (2 hots, 1 neutral, 1 ground) instead of 3, so usually only 1-2 circuits in the entire house will be 240 and the rest are 120. If you want to install another 240V outlet, you probably need to install a completely new circuit at the breaker and run new copper wires from there to the new outlet, which is very expensive.

Also, wires heat up according to their current. Normally the breaker at the panel can open the circuit if the current is too high, but 240V circuits are often rated for much higher currents (e.g. 50A instead of 20A), and the appliance itself will draw a lot more current than it expects if the voltage is double, which can internally overload it even if it doesn't trip the breaker. E.g. if you plug a 120V 15A kettle into a 240V 40A circuit, it will draw 30A according to Ohms Law, which will probably cause wires within to overheat and eventually light the kettle on fire without tripping the breaker.

[–] Rustmilian 2 points 8 months ago* (last edited 8 months ago)

using one of these these adapters

There actually not adapters. If you look, there NEMA 6-15P & 6-50P on both ends which is US standard 240V outlets.

...a 240V appliance will not use an ordinary plug... You need to import a 240V appliance from a different country...

There actually are 240V appliances with a US NEMA 6-15P & 6-50P plug. You're just not going to find them at wallmart, there usually used by businesses like mom & pop shops. For example, this expensive mf. For imported appliances all you need is an adapter from NEMA 6-15P/6-50P to whatever that particular 240v rated appliance is using.

[–] [email protected] 1 points 8 months ago (1 children)

A couple of issues:

Watts = Volts * Amps. So, if the circuit that the outlet is on is not rated for enough current, it will either trip the breaker or potentially start an electrical fire.

A 240V outlet requires appropriately-rated wiring and breaker, not to mention the outlet itself. Generally these are only installed for ranges and dryers. Getting an extra installed for the counter isn't in the budget for most people.

And for the 240V extension cord...really?... Is that thing rated for consistent usage at >3kW and potential water exposure? If it's not, that's just asking for a house fire.

[–] Rustmilian 2 points 8 months ago* (last edited 8 months ago) (1 children)

Watts = Volts * Amps. So, if the circuit that the outlet is on is not rated for enough current, it will either trip the breaker or potentially start an electrical fire.

The outlets are installed per-code by licensed professionals, there's nothing to worry about. You can't install them yourself without breaking the law, unless you happen to be a licensed professional.

And for the 240V extension cord…really?.. Is that thing rated for consistent usage at >3kW and potential water exposure? If it’s not, that’s just asking for a house fire.

The extension cords I linked are perfectly safe and manufactured to deal with 24/7 use & potential water exposure.
In fact there probably overkill. They're capable of 3.60kW(240 × 15 amp = 3600watts).
Just look at the company making them 😆 https://milehydro.com/
Just don't use them outside and you'll be fine.

[–] [email protected] 2 points 8 months ago (1 children)

You've got it! Good catch on that extension. 20% over is probably safe, if the manufacturer rated it with enough headroom.

The outlets are installed per-code by licensed professionals, there's nothing to worry about. You can't install them yourself without breaking the law, unless you happen to be a licensed professional.

Yup. With good reason. I DO actually want to get a 240V installed specifically for this purpose myself. Just too pricy to justify/afford at the moment between permit and electrician costs. I'd wager that the cost is well outside of the realm of affordable for a good portion of people, especially those who are not licensed electricians or able to buy a home.

[–] Rustmilian 2 points 8 months ago* (last edited 8 months ago)

Yeah getting new ones installed is costly, but most homes & apartments should have at least one and these 25ft extension cords are likely more than enough as a substitute unless you get really unlucky where the only one is in the basement which would really suck.