Things You'll Need:
- 240-volt receptacle
- Electrical tape
- Screwdrivers
- Wire strippers
- Voltage tester
- Wire nuts (connectors)
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Step 1
Before you begin work on wiring the new high-voltage receptacle, you will have to be sure that the circuit is OFF. This is extremely important because an electrical shock from a 240-volt circuit can be fatal. Find the 2-pole circuit breaker that feeds the receptacle and turn it off. Then, place a note on the electrical panel that you are working on the electric. If your panel cover has a lock, then use it here.
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Step 2
Once you find the circuit breaker and you have turned it OFF, head back to the receptacle and test it with a voltage tester. If you read no voltage, then continue. If you read voltage, then you have not found the right breaker yet, so try again.
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Step 3
Now that the power if definitely OFF, use the screwdriver to remove the screws that are securing the cover plate to receptacle.
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Step 4
Remove the two screws that are securing the receptacle to the wall box. Gently pull the receptacle out of the box by using the top and bottom mounting brackets. Once you get the receptacle out of the box, test it for voltage again. (You can never test for voltage enough times!)
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Step 5
You will notice that there is a traditional black, white and copper wiring system in place here. Important note: If there is a white wire connected to the receptacle, it is not the neutral. It is another HOT feed. High voltage receptacles do not require a neutral, so the white wire is always used as a second line, UNLESS the appliance is a cooking range where a 120-volt feed is needed for running a clock. In this instance you should see a black and red wire connected to the receptacle and a white wire, wire-nutted inside the wall box.
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Step 6
Loosen the screw terminals on the receptacle and remove the wires. Cut the exposed wire off with your wire strippers and strip away about 3/4 inches of insulation so you have a fresh set of wires to work with.
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Step 7
Loosen the terminals on the new high-voltage receptacle and connect the wires to the receptacle. Since both lines are carrying a feed it does not matter which screw they get connected to as long as it is not the ground screw. If your wall box is metal, then make sure that your ground wire is pigtailed with one tail connected to the receptacle and the other to the metal wall box ground screw.
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Step 8
If the white feed does not already have a strip of black electrical tape around it, do so now. This is a coding system that signals that this line is not a neutral and that it is being used as a feed.
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Step 9
Wrap a strip of electrical tape around the receptacle for safety reasons and resecure it to the box with the two included long screws. Once that is complete, use the small screws to secure the cover plate in place.
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Step 10
With everything reassembled, toggle the circuit breaker back on. Use your voltage tester to check the receptacle for proper wiring. Place one lead in the left slot and one lead in the right slot. You should read 240-volts. Next, keep one lead in the left slot and place the other lead in the bottom ground slot. You should read 120-volts. Keep the lead in the ground slot and move your other lead to the right slot and you should again read 120-volts. If you get those readings, then you have successfully wired a high-voltage receptacle. Just plug your appliance back in and you are finished!
