Running 220v Electronics on 120V Outlet?

hellfire · 06-20-2009, 08:05 PM

I bought a bunch of products from China.. Unfortunetly they are all for 220V. Is there something I can rewire inside the unit for it to use 120V?

The plug is a standard plug that will fit in our outlets.. Any help would be appreciated.

Thanks!

Tyler

Scuba_Dave · 06-20-2009, 08:15 PM

A bunch of products such as ??
Do the instructions indicate they can be switched to 120v ?

hellfire · 06-20-2009, 08:23 PM

Well, they are powerheads for a fish tank. I bought multiples of them to test them out.

Ends up somewhere in my order I didn't specify correctly, and well, now I have them.

The box says 220-240V, so no, it specifies nothing about being converted.

It is a 2 prong plug, and will fit into our outlet. I've been reading and it seems that they use 240V to one prong, and neutral to the other.

I know that american wiring has the two 120V sources 180 out of phase. But what exactly will happen if I connect the two, and run it to one prong, and the neutral to the other?

Tyler

wirenut1110 · 06-20-2009, 08:29 PM

It'll blow up in your face. Basically a dead short between the 2 legs.

nap · 06-20-2009, 08:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wirenut1110

It'll blow up in your face. Basically a dead short between the 2 legs.

and that's the truth pphhtpppthppP!!!!

lily tomlin

Speedy Petey · 06-20-2009, 08:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hellfire

But what exactly will happen if I connect the two, and run it to one prong, and the neutral to the other?

It will go BOOM, and will continue until you stop.

Actually you would be crating a direct line-to-line short and the breaker would trip as soon as you turn it on.
The two 120v line-to-neutral phases would NOT be combined to give you 240v line-to-neutral. You can only get 240v line-to-line and 120v line-to-neutral.

hellfire · 06-20-2009, 08:32 PM

Ok, well how can I provide a 240V source, to one plug, correctly?

Instead of telling me what won't work, can someone tell me what will?

Tyler

hellfire · 06-20-2009, 08:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Speedy Petey

It will go BOOM, and will continue until you stop.

Actually you would be crating a direct line-to-line short and the breaker would trip as soon as you turn it on.
The two 120v line-to-neutral phases would NOT be combined to give you 240v line-to-neutral. You can only get 240v line-to-line and 120v line-to-neutral.

Ok, well do the Euro appliances have each plug get 120V, or does one get 240v, and the other Neutral?

Tyler

Scuba_Dave · 06-20-2009, 08:33 PM

Yup, move to China

hellfire · 06-20-2009, 08:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Scuba_Dave

Yup, move to China

Was thinking about that, but moving to China would hardly be cost effective.

Tyler

Wildie · 06-20-2009, 08:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hellfire

Well, they are powerheads for a fish tank. I bought multiples of them to test them out.

Ends up somewhere in my order I didn't specify correctly, and well, now I have them.

The box says 220-240V, so no, it specifies nothing about being converted.

It is a 2 prong plug, and will fit into our outlet. I've been reading and it seems that they use 240V to one prong, and neutral to the other.

I know that american wiring has the two 120V sources 180 out of phase. But what exactly will happen if I connect the two, and run it to one prong, and the neutral to the other?

Tyler

You are misinformed about American sources being out of phase.
All residential power in North America is single phase, as far as I know.
If you connect two in series and connect to 120 volts, you will have 60 volts applied to each one.
Not the scenerio that you are looking for.

I would suggest that you would get in touch with the people that supplied these and ask if you can exchange these for 120 volt units.

nap · 06-20-2009, 08:40 PM

there are several problems with this situation.

1. their 240 plug should not fit in our 120 volt recep

2. hooking up 240 volts to a 120 volt recep is against code and as such, illegal in most areas of the country.

3. asia and europe often use 50 hz frequency where we use 60 hz. That can make a difference with your devices and we know nothing really about them and as such, cannot recommend you use 60 hz freq.

4.you sound like you know very little about electricity and telling you how to kill yourself has never been a goal of mine.

Speedy Petey · 06-20-2009, 08:41 PM

You can most likely have 240v circuits and receptacles installed and change the plugs on the cords.

This is done quite frequently with European appliances.

nap · 06-20-2009, 08:42 PM

Quote:

=Wildie;290517]You are misinformed about American sources being out of phase.
All residential power in North America is single phase, as far as I know.
If you connect two in series and connect to 120 volts, you will have 60 volts applied to each one.
Not the scenerio that you are looking for

.what the dickens are you talking about? You are wrong, whatever it is.

Quote:

I would suggest that you would get in touch with the people that supplied these and ask if you can exchange these for 120 volt units.

very good advice

Speedy Petey · 06-20-2009, 08:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nap

3. asia and europe often use 50 hz frequency where we use 60 hz. That can make a difference with your devices and we know nothing really about them and as such, cannot recommend you use 60 hz freq.

4.you sound like you know very little about electricity and telling you how to kill yourself has never been a goal of mine.

Two VERY good points I neglected to make.