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On YouTube: How to get 240v From Two 120V Outlets.

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1Garageman

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WTF! How is this even safely on YouTube? I am reading the messages below the video of so many people supposedly doing this ****. He goes step by step on how to do this, making sure you get two separate breakers. I can't believe this $hit is on there!:eyecrazy:


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pattenp

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I don't see the big deal. What's so unsafe about it from a technical aspect if cord is sized correctly? Circuits have OC protection. The main thing I was surprised by was that the startup amps of the mill didn't trip the breakers.
 
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Terry D

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pattenp said:
I don't see the big deal. What's so unsafe about it from a technical aspect if cord is sized correctly? Circuits have OC protection. The main thing I was surprised by was that the startup amps of the mill didn't trip the breakers.
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I would have to agree with you on this. He connected his grounds, the neutral is not a issue here. The only issue I see, is if the 2 circuits that he is plugged into are not on a 2-pole breaker, if one circuit would trip, it would not open the other. But those plugs serve as a disconnecting means for safety.
 
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dogdog

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1Garageman said:
It just seems so crazy, and could kill someone. I thought I would share it.:eyecrazy:
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I don't think you have read / watch through the whole thing... he explained it how in the beginning of the video the concept of it... It works, just not electricmacode standard since the two breakers needs to be tied together. but it works.

If you haven't heard of that guy.. of his few months of frame... he is the guy that popularized "free" energy (not stanley meyer)... more specific on coils and leds ...wiind up in a star shape... convincing enough for some funds for "Free" energy research. some of the ideas and concepts were .... fringe science of sort, till it was debunked. I think...
 
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mc4life27

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One of the biggest issues I see is the wiring in the walls of most outlets is going to be either 14/2 or 12/2 and yes when running 220 current draw is lass then at 120 but most things that are 220 are high current draw. One reason why they run at 220. So if the breakers malfunction, I see some melty wires.


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wyliesdiesels

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mc4life27 said:
One of the biggest issues I see is the wiring in the walls of most outlets is going to be either 14/2 or 12/2 and yes when running 220 current draw is lass then at 120 but most things that are 220 are high current draw. One reason why they run at 220. So if the breakers malfunction, I see some melty wires.


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Click to expand...

define high current draw

My 24K BTU window air conditioner that i just mounted in my living room wall is 240v but only draws 10a..... i dont consider that to be high current draw.

240v table saws, dust collectors, drill presses, etc dont draw a lot of amps...

The only thing in a garage that could be considered high current draw is a welder, heater, or electric vehicle charger
 
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theoldwizard1

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1Garageman said:
It just seems so crazy, and could kill someone. I thought I would share it.:eyecrazy:
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My daughter hired a guy to re-finish her hardwood floors. The floor sanders was 240V. I did not do a close inspection, but he used some kind of alligator clips to get two hots directly from exiting breakers in the load center !

I have a "cheater" set up where I can remove two 120V coming coming out of a load center and then use those breakers to provide temporary power to a NEMA 6-20 outlet. Yes, there is a ground.
 
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Terry D

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theoldwizard1 said:
It "looks scary" Like an AR15 stock on a .22 rifle. Yes, it can kill someone if used incorrectly !
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Looks doesn't make something unsafe. There is really nothing unsafe about it as long as the OCP is sized for the wire. The other issue is if the 2 circuits are not on a 2 pole breaker, but those plugs serve as a disconnecting means from power.

I personally wouldn't have the need for doing it, because being a electrician, i would just run a circuit

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pi_guy

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In order to create 220 don't the legs have to be 90 degrees out of phase. So if you only had 120 service you could not take two circuit breakers to create 220? correct?
 
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sparky 1971

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pi_guy said:
In order to create 220 don't the legs have to be 90 degrees out of phase. So if you only had 120 service you could not take two circuit breakers to create 220? correct?
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True but 120 volt services are almost a thing of the past. I have seen two of them in my career. Both were upgraded to 120/240. I would also guess that if someone had a 120 service, the last thing on their mind would be how to jerry rig a 240 circuit.
 
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1Garageman

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Seems like to me with what he did it would of been possibly faster to go ahead and put in a 240/20 amp breaker and run it to his garage. All the stupid work he had to do to get it running was crazy and dangerous.
 
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pattenp

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1Garageman said:
Seems like to me with what he did it would of been possibly faster to go ahead and put in a 240/20 amp breaker and run it to his garage. All the stupid work he had to do to get it running was crazy and dangerous.
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Making up a cord should be quicker and easier in most cases than running a new circuit. Plus I don't get all the dangerous and somebody is going to die talk.
 
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Norcal

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You Tube is still a bad place for electrical advice, at least with here there is someone to call out the bad advice, they may do it there but who reads the comments, sort of like who reads the instructions.
 
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dave*99

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pi_guy said:
In order to create 220 don't the legs have to be 90 degrees out of phase. So if you only had 120 service you could not take two circuit breakers to create 220? correct?
Click to expand...

In the typical single phase 240 V service the 2 line conductors are 180 degrees apart in phase. You get 240V across those legs.

In a 3 phase service the legs are 120 degrees apart in phase.
 
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wyliesdiesels

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pi_guy said:
In order to create 220 don't the legs have to be 90 degrees out of phase. So if you only had 120 service you could not take two circuit breakers to create 220? correct?
Click to expand...

no

the sum needs to be 360°.

its also not 220v in the US.... 120/240v

If one only has 120v service, then they arent getting 240v potential no matter how many breakers they use....
 
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dogdog

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wyliesdiesels said:
no

the sum needs to be 360°.

its also not 220v in the US.... 120/240v

If one only has 120v service, then they arent getting 240v potential no matter how many breakers they use....
Click to expand...

step up voltage transformers :) probably not efficient at all.. but they do have them up to 3000 watt... I think.
 
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bad_idea

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Would I do it? Short term testing or quick job - sure. Long term fix - no. I can see this being useful doing mobile welding - not a business but a quick exhaust for a buddy kind of thing. I usually go for a dryer outlet, but sometimes they don't have one near the work.

I don't see the hazard. Only hazard I see is teaching an ignorant person this trick. The old saying, "know enough to be dangerous".
 
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Showkey

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bad_idea said:
I don't see the hazard. Only hazard I see is teaching an ignorant person this trick. The old saying, "know enough to be dangerous".
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Isn’t that true about any quick fix, hack, or temporary solution.

He did warn multiple times. Life is full of risks and hazards.
 
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1Garageman

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So is there also a video out there where someone runs an extension cord from their neighbors house to get 3 phase electric motor to run?
 
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Stuff

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theoldwizard1 said:
My daughter hired a guy to re-finish her hardwood floors. The floor sanders was 240V. I did not do a close inspection, but he used some kind of alligator clips to get two hots directly from exiting breakers in the load center !
Click to expand...
Same when I had my floors done so appears to be standard practice. Alligator clips are easier/faster/cheaper than calling an electrician to install a receptacle that won't be used again.
 
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