Converting A/C Plug to conventional 3-prong?

2341 Views 25 Replies 11 Participants Last post by sgip2000, Feb 26, 2013

Double

Discussion Starter · Feb 13, 2013

House from '65, all 4 bedrooms have a wall unit A/C plug beneath one window. Two horizontal flat holes with a ground below. These plugs are not in use, and, with house being old, there are no other grounded outlets in the bedrooms.

I want to convert them to a conventinal two plug, three prong grounded outlet so I can hook up a computer/vacuum/surge protector/etc.

Can this be done using the current in wall wiring?

Do I not need to convert to 110v from 220v or are the plugs already 110v? How can I be sure?

Thanks in advance! -Dylan

1 - 20 of 26 Posts

joecaption

· #2 · Feb 13, 2013

Check the outlet with a meter, see which breaker shuts the outlets off. If it's a double pole breaker it's 220V.

joed

· #3 · Feb 13, 2013

Your description sounds like a nema 6-15r. that is a 15 amp 240 volt receptacle. The receptacle could be converted to 120 volt. You would need to rewire the connections in the electrical panel and change the receptacle.

joecaption

· #4 · Feb 13, 2013

And if you have to ask then it may be best to hire a real electition for this one.

Reactions: 1

Double

Discussion Starter · #5 · Feb 13, 2013 (Edited)

I will most likely have an electrician do it. I'm comfortable with rewiring and interior stuff, but I've never been inside the breaker box...

Called around, talked to a licensed master, quoted $200 including parts to do two outlets and breakers, competitive price?

Double

Discussion Starter · #6 · Feb 22, 2013

Checked voltage at both outlets...0!

All breakers are on, outlets are connected correctly, confirmed no voltage at wires either.

I'm guessing they disconnected these when they converted to central A/C.

The breaker box was converted from a Federal Pacific to outside Square D when we moved in, so I'll check the old box for any disconnected circuits.

Double

Discussion Starter · #7 · Feb 24, 2013

Pulled the panel cover for the Federal Pacific box, found two circuits clipped and tucked to the side. Tested both for continuity with hot and neutral for the 240v outlets and they match up.

Now I just need to wire them back into the system. Form the looks of it, when they converted over to the new box they left the neutral and ground in the same space and ran the hots to the new box.

Can I do the same or do I need to run home a 12/2 w ground through the pipe to the new box?

Attached a pic for detail. If you see anything crazy/wrong please let me know. (The two free wires at bottom are one of the circuits, the other is visible barely on the left side of the box about half way down, twisted with a hot.)

See less See more

k_buz

· #8 · Feb 24, 2013

You have serious issues with the neutrals! When you had the service changed, did you hire a licensed electrician who pulled a permit? This should have NEVER passes inspection!

I can't tell for sure, but it appears that the only neutral between this junction box and the main panel is the metal conduit connecting the two. VERY dangerous!

Reactions: 2

Jim Port

· #9 · Feb 24, 2013

To expand on the above the code requires all conductors of a circuit to originate in the same panel. It looks like the circuit neutrals were left in the old panel.

Double

Discussion Starter · #10 · Feb 24, 2013

The change was made after our home inspector found the Federal Pacific box. He was a licensed guy our realtor suggested.

Looks like I need to have this fixed soon.

The two green wires are 10 gauge that run to the new neutral bar

rrolleston

· #11 · Feb 24, 2013

Double said:
Pulled the panel cover for the Federal Pacific box, found two circuits clipped and tucked to the side. Tested both for continuity with hot and neutral for the 240v outlets and they match up.

Now I just need to wire them back into the system. Form the looks of it, when they converted over to the new box they left the neutral and ground in the same space and ran the hots to the new box.

Can I do the same or do I need to run home a 12/2 w ground through the pipe to the new box?

Attached a pic for detail. If you see anything crazy/wrong please let me know. (The two free wires at bottom are one of the circuits, the other is visible barely on the left side of the box about half way down, twisted with a hot.)

I would have that guy come back to make those neutrals go back to the main panel.

Double

Discussion Starter · #12 · Feb 24, 2013

I'll call him on Monday.

So all the neutrals need to be junctioned in similar fashion and run home?

The grounds can stay?

k_buz

· #13 · Feb 24, 2013

It also appears that your home is wired with ungrounded romex. Legally, you cannot install a 3 prong receptacle that is not GFI protected.

Double

Discussion Starter · #14 · Feb 24, 2013 (Edited)

About half is UNgrounded, an addition was added in 86 and it is all three wire.

Those two circuits I want to hook back up are already three wire.

I should add to that that all of the two wire WITHOUT ground in the house are on two prong outlets. The only circuits in the house with three prong outlets are 12/2 WITH ground.

Double

Discussion Starter · #15 · Feb 26, 2013

3

Talked to the electrician, he is going to come out early next week. Looked into it a little more, the main groubding cable for both the new and old box go to the same grounding rod, but the only connection between the two neutral bars are the two green wires that run from one to the other.

I've attached some picture of the new box with the panel removed, just in case you guys see anything else that needs to be remedied.

The section that goes down the side of the house is the run from the old box. The section that runs up the outside wall is all of the wiring from the addition, and the electrician did run of all the neutrals and grounds with that wiring.

So my main task for him is to move the rest of the neutrals and grounds to the new panel? As you see now, he ran most of the wiring to the left side, but the only current neutrals are the two green wires that he ran from the old neutral bar to the new.

Subquestion: My contractors' electrician added a motion sensor outdoor light to the breaker that runs the current outdoor lights, but, instead of feeding off of the end of the circuit, he ran the wire back to the panel and has two hots on the very bottom right hand breaker. If you look to the bottom of the box, it is the extra punch out with a single 14/2 coming out.

See less See more

theatretch85

· #16 · Feb 26, 2013

The first thing I notice is the romex running through that 1/2" PVC pipe out the bottom of the panel. Also appears the neutral and ground for that romex are under the same screw...

Double

Discussion Starter · #17 · Feb 26, 2013

You are correct there.

They should be on two different screws and no sheathing inside the panel?

theatretch85

· #18 · Feb 26, 2013

No romex in a wet location, that PVC pipe is a wet location.

theatretch85

· #19 · Feb 26, 2013

Also, I suspect that conduit between the old panel and the new panel is over capacity, since it is clearly longer than 2ft. How many wires and what gauges are running through that pipe?

jbberns

· #20 · Feb 26, 2013

Pipe with all your old hots looks overfilled. That contractor should be shut down. I'd be getting my money back if I were you. And getting it done right. That is a heck of a cobble job.

1 - 20 of 26 Posts

This is an older thread, you may not receive a response, and could be reviving an old thread. Please consider creating a new thread.