Things You'll Need
220-volt male plug
Screwdrivers
Wire strippers
Some appliances, such as stoves and clothes dryers, use 220-volt male plugs. Depending on the type of appliance and whether or not it needs a neutral in order to work, the plug may require either three or four wires. Three-wire 220 volt plugs are for appliances that do not require a neutral. Understanding how to wire each type will ensure you have the right part for the job.
Three-Wire 220-Volt Male Plugs
Step 1
Open up the plug. Depending on the type, there should be two screws that hold the plug closed. Remove the screws and open the terminal area.
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Step 2
Loosen all three terminal screws. The screws should be green, silver and black (or dark bronze).
Step 3
Strip about 3/4 of an inch of insulation from the ends of each of the wires on the cord. Twist each exposed section of wire to make sure no strands of wire are sticking out.
Step 4
Stick the green wire under the green terminal screw and tighten it.
Step 5
Stick the white wire under the silver terminal screw and tighten it. Do the same with the black wire by tightening it under the dark-colored terminal screw.
Step 6
Re-check to ensure all the terminal screws are tight and re-assemble the plug.
Four-Wire 220 Volt Male Plug
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Step 1
Open up the plug. Depending on the type, there should be two screws that hold the plug closed. Remove the screws and open the terminal area.
Step 2
Loosen all four terminal screws. The screws should be green, silver, dark bronze and red (or, in some cases, green, silver and two dark-colored screws).
Step 3
Stick the green wire under the green terminal screw and tighten it.
Step 4
Stick the white wire under the silver terminal screw and tighten it. For this type of plug, the white wire is the neutral. This is because the appliance or device probably requires 120 volts to run a certain component, like a timer or clock, in addition to the 220 volts needed for the actual appliance to run.
Step 5
Stick the black wire under the dark-colored terminal screw and secure it. Do the same with the red wire and the red (or other dark-colored) terminal screw.
Step 6
Ensure that all the terminal screws are tight and re-assemble the plug.