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Because they are "in-phase". In order to get 240v, you need two 120v Alternating Current lines that are 180° out of phase, that is, opposite phases. Only when one line is +120v and the other -120v will you see 240v between the wires.

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Q: Why are you not getting 240v between the two hot wires?
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Related questions

Why 4 wires for dryer?

The dryer is a 240v dryer so two of the wires are your hot wires, or the ones with power on them. One is your ground wire. And the forth is your neutral.


Can you use one wire from the panel with 240v on it to wire a 240v water heater?

In North America it takes two "hot" wires to obtain 240 volts.


When connecting a 240V line with two hot wires and a ground does it make a difference if the red or black hot wires are connected to L1 or L2 for a jet pump pressure switch?

No, it makes no difference. The selection of red and black "hot" wires on your 220 line is arbitrary.


Originally a 240V line running from the 50A circuit to a box contaning in line fuses from this box came a 240V cable having 2 black wires and wire braid do I wire the outlet stove as a 3 or 4 prong?

3 prong the 2 black wires are your hot and the braided is your neutral.


What if your electrician has fitted a 240v socket in your rec room you want to use your 240v deck and amp but find 2 hot 120v wires and 1 earth How can you use your prized stereo?

Not a hard job or complicated but could be hazardous. Hire a professional.


What adapters do you need to plug your 240V Ac plug into a 110V AC supply?

There are no adptors to plug a 240v plug into a 120v receptacle. 240v requires two hot wores and a neutral and ground. 120v requires one hot wire, a neutral and a ground. If you have something that runs on 240/120 you need the cord and adaptor that came with the equipment as you willl need the wires to mate up accordingly.


Would the black wire be line 1 on 240V line in?

On a 240 volt circuit both line wires are hot, so they may both be black, depending on the wire used. There is normally no neutral required unless you are also tapping off 120 volts between hot and neutral.


Can you join red and black wires to get 240V?

You should never trust any wiring without using a tester (get one at hardware or home improvement store. ) in USA, White/grey/bare wire is neutral, colored wire is hot (live). In a pure 240v connection, there are two hot wires and no neutral wire. Sometimes they still use black and white for this. If you are seeing black and red wires you might be looking at a split phase panel -- you'd best check that out


Can you use a 120v cord that will fit a 240v socket the appliance is 240 and the cord is thick?

120v and 240v cords usually have different end configurations and will not plug into the different recepticles. However, if you changed the plug end, and the cord has the proper size rating, then yes, you could use the same cord. But, it also depends on the cord too. Most 120v cords only have three wires in them. One "hot one "neutral" and one "ground" wire. A 240v cord would have FOUR wires, two "hot" wires, one neutral wire, and one ground wire. Therefore, if you changed the voltage from 120v to 240 using a 3 wire cord, you'd not have a ground wire and that could be VERY dangerous. Note that occasionally a 240v device (e.g. some motors) will only need three wires (red,black,green, no neutral) and can be wired with a 120v cord if the cord is rated for 240v.


How do you hook up a 3 wire water herter to 4 wire circut?

4 wire household wiring is black, red, (hot wires) white (neutral) and bare or green (ground wire). You say 3 wires. Is it 120v or 240v. If its 240v which is more common just use the two hots and the ground and cap off the neutral wire.


Why does your car speakers sometimes stop working when it is really hot outside?

The wires are probably getting too hot.


If you have a spa that is 240V with 4 wires can you hook an extension cord from a 240V welder to it to see if it works if the cord only has three wires?

Well, maybe. What is the current rating on the spa circuit? What is the current rating on the welder? If the welder is larger than the outlet, then no. It must be the other way around. If the current ratings are OK, then yes. Your welder doesn't need 110V so it doesn't connext to neutral. Connect the hot leads to hot and ground to ground.