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for USA, Canada and countries using similar 60Hz mains suppliesI'm not sure if the National Electrical Code is okay with it, but it is possible. Make sure you have a 20 Amp Double Pole breaker in the panel. Then, at the 240V outlet: You may need more room to accomodate all the wiring, so get a box extension, or if possible, upgrade to a larger box or use a junction box before the 240V outlet. Okay, Take the incoming neutral wire and connect it to the 2 120V circuits and to the 240V outlet. Connect the incoming red hot wire to a black 120V hot wire. Connect the 240V Black hot wire to the other 120V's hot wire. Connect all the ground wires together. Make sure that the box is grounded as well. Here's a simple formula for calculating the current you can use. Remember that the 120V circuits take current from one leg or the other, while the 240V Circuit takes from both. Since you have 2 120V 20A circuits, multiply the amps of the equipment you can use by 1. Now, multiply the 240V equipment's amps by 2. Add the values together. The value should be less than 32, and definitely not higher than 40.

I recommend installing a 120/240V twistlok plug in the box. Then you can plug whatever you want into it. I made a nice distribution panel with 15A breakers for when I want 120V, and 240 can plug in directly. ( I use this method to power my Christmas lights. 2kW. :P)

IF YOU ARE NOT ALREADY SURE YOU CAN DO THIS JOB

SAFELY AND COMPETENTLY

REFER THIS WORK TO QUALIFIED PROFESSIONALS.

If you do this work yourself, always turn off the powerat the breaker box/fuse panel BEFORE you attempt to do any work AND always use a meter or voltage indicator to insure the circuit is, in fact, de-energized.

If there are only 3 wires entering the box, you can't legally do it. You can not use the same wire for a neutral and a protective ground. The 3 wires are the two hot phases and the protective ground.

If there are 4 wires in the box, or if metal conduit provides the protective ground in addition to 3 wires, you can do it, provided the breaker is a double pole breaker. The white wire is the neutral, the bare one is the protective ground

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8y ago
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15y ago

Yes you can, BUT IT IS DANGEROUS!!! You can use one side of the breaker to wire an outlet but if the outlet or the appliance you plug into the outlet shorts out, the breaker may not trip. Only half of the breaker will try to trip and the other half will not know to do the same therefore you could over heat the circuits and cause a fire. NOT A GOOD IDEA. That is a stupid answer, you cannot wire one side of a breaker. IT WILL NOT TRIP !!!! SO IT COULD CAUSE SOMEONE TO BE ELECTROCUTED.

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14y ago

yes, a 240 v circuit normally has 2 120 volt legs which are opposite phases and a neutral wire, there will be 120 volts between either hot wire and the neutral and 240 volts between the two hot wires.

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14y ago

You don't, just replace the 40amp breaker with two 20amp breakers, now you should have a black 120v 20amp hot, and a red 120v 20amp hot. Do not use the 40amp

double pole breaker. You can just tie your neutrals together for the wire that is going out from the existing wire and you have two 12/2 w ground wire that you can run anywhere.

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14y ago

You can. This is called California Split wiring because of its popularity there. You bring the 12/3 romex into the junction box. Wire the top receptacle's hot prong to the red wire, the bottom receptacle's hot prong to the black and both receptacles' neutrals to the white.

The only place you CAN'T use California Split is if the circuit has any GFCIs on it. You'll negate the protection from the GFCI by hooking it up on both legs.

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What the first answer neglected to tell you is if you wire the duplex receptacle like it is suggested the breaker will trip instantaneously. There is a common tie bar between the upper outlet and the lower outlet that has to be removed. Only one neutral is needed to the duplex receptacle because they are also common tied with a bar from the top outlet to the bottom outlet.

If you have any doubts about an answer that you get, check the answerer's bio by clicking on their name to check their qualifications.

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16y ago

no, call a qualified electrician

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Q: Can you take a 240v 20a garage outlet number 12 with 4 wires and split it into two 120v circuits while still keeping the 240v outlet?
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Can a dryer outlet be converted to 2 separate circuits?

If you are no longer using the dryer and there are 4-wires, and the dryer was 220 to 240 volts, it can be split into two 110 to 120 Volt circuits.


GFI electrical outlet at the garage where the freezer hook up keeps on tripping but when plug at the electrical outlet of the garage door openner does not trip. What is mostly the problem?

Electric motors and GFI's do not get along. the initial draw to get the compressor going is usually enough to trip the GFI. Turn the breaker off and switch the GFI for a regular outlet and you will solve your problem.


How many receptacle can you put on a run?

In Canada there shall be not more that 12 outlets on any 2 wire branch circuit. Such outlets shall be considered to be rated at not more that 1 amp per outlet. Where the connected load is known, the number of outlets may exceed 12 providing the load current does not exceed 80 % of the rating of the over current device protecting the circuit.


Do all electrical outlets in a garage need to be GFCI?

Yes, but you can feed multiple outlets from one GFCI outlet. Make the first outlet fed in the cicuit a GFCI. Search for GFCI outlet with Google, etc. and I'm sure you will find an explanantion of how. Most GFCI's come with instructions also.


What is the most number of outlets on a multi outlet extension cord?

The most number of outlets on a multi outlet extension cord are six. Any more then six outlets on an outlet extension cord and it would become dangerous.

Related questions

Where is the garage clothing outlet?

The answer to your question is, yes, many! But really, it depend on where you're living. You can find a Garage Clothing Outlet in Dixie Outlet Mall, if you are looking for a location near Toronto,Canada. Some other Canadian outlet locations are: Marche Centre (in Montreal). To find a location near you, go to the Garage Clothing website and you will find a store locator. Simply type in your city or state/province and the pink-colored star are locations that are outlets and the grey-colored stars are locations that are regular garage store.


How can I put a 240 v outlet in your attach garage on the party wall of my duplex?

Call an electrician.


Can a dryer outlet be converted to 2 separate circuits?

If you are no longer using the dryer and there are 4-wires, and the dryer was 220 to 240 volts, it can be split into two 110 to 120 Volt circuits.


Is the lights in your house a series or in a parallel circuits?

All household, commercial, and industrial lighting and outlet wiring is parallel.


GFI electrical outlet at the garage where the freezer hook up keeps on tripping but when plug at the electrical outlet of the garage door openner does not trip. What is mostly the problem?

Electric motors and GFI's do not get along. the initial draw to get the compressor going is usually enough to trip the GFI. Turn the breaker off and switch the GFI for a regular outlet and you will solve your problem.


Can you convert a garage light socket to accept a three prong shop light plug in?

If you want to you could remove the light socket and put in an outlet then plug your light into the outlet.


Do most kitchens have a 20amp outlet?

By today's NEC standards, all kitchens are required to have to have a minimum of two 20 amp circuits.


Can you install a flex outlet in the bathroom?

Yes, flex can be used on a bathroom outlet. All code regulations have to be strictly adhered to regarding distances from openings and plumbing fixtures. Bathroom circuits have to be supplied from GFCI breakers.


What is the phone number of the Rosendale Satellite Outlet in Rosendale?

The phone number of the Rosendale Satellite Outlet is: 920-579-3074.


How many receptacle can you put on a run?

In Canada there shall be not more that 12 outlets on any 2 wire branch circuit. Such outlets shall be considered to be rated at not more that 1 amp per outlet. Where the connected load is known, the number of outlets may exceed 12 providing the load current does not exceed 80 % of the rating of the over current device protecting the circuit.


How do you wire a garage door opener?

Garage door openers do not get "wired." They are sold with a standard 3-prong, 120VAC plug that is about two-feet long and plugs into a 15A, 120VAC outlet -- next to the location where the opener is installed. In the absence of a nearby AC outlet, you will need an extension to power you garage door opener. Well power doesn't get wired the wall mount and sensors do get wired use the directions they will tell you where hook the wires on the back of the opener.


What is the phone number of the Newborn Library Service Outlet in Newborn?

The phone number of the Newborn Library Service Outlet is: 770-787-1126.