Electrical question

[old school]

Can I tap into this box that is running my hot water heater (240V) to run a line off of it to make an 120V outlet? Looking to run a small refrigerator in my garage. If so, will it carry the load for the two of them?

[pjpat]

be safe call a pro

[Zerokill]

I am with the above answer....there are good people here, but get a professional before messing with a 240VAC line....that kind of voltage/current can seriously harm/kill you.

If they are building any new housing developments in your area, stop by one and look for an electrician...offer him $50 to run a 110VAC line for you...if he's mexican, offer him 2 cases of Corona!!!!

[sargworld]

240 volt probably does not have a neutral and you need a neutral for a 120volt outlet

[ugo]

Can I tap into this box that is running my hot water heater (240V) to run a line off of it to make an 120V outlet? Looking to run a small refrigerator in my garage. If so, will it carry the load for the two of them?


No you cant. the hot water heater has a 30 amp 2 pole breaker on it if you tap off of it it will be pulling to much amps for the breaker and the wire. Could cause a Fire. You need a 15 amp breaker and size 14 wire.

[old school]

Ok, thanks for the replies.

[kable2]

I am an electrical engineer, take my advice. If you do not know what you are doing with 240v, do not mess with it. Seriously. It can kill you. or cause a fire. Best thing to do is have a 120v circuit run.

/electricans are mostly a bunch of scam artists, and pulling a wire is not rocket science, but hey they will keep you from turning into a crispy critter

[old school]

Have done plenty with 120V, so I'm not a complete novice...I have run a dedicated 240V line for a welder once...works perfectly.:D

[mtmt1us]

Also, neutral and ground are the same thing. They are connected to the same terminal in the breaker box.




And for anyone who is wondering, 240V appliances run that voltage because higher voltages conduct through a wire easier. The lower the voltage, the more resistant a wire is to conducting the current.

Neutral and ground are not the same thing. Ground wires should not be used for any loads. Codes vary and in some areas the ground and neutral busses are not tied together like yours. Also ground fault circiut interrupters do not work without a seperate ground and if they do work they can be dangerous !


I agree with the last part of your post. The load on a higher voltage will draw less current

[asgard]

If you have a welder in the same place then yes. I had my garage wired for a air compressor that ran 240v the electrician took half the circuit and gave me 4 outlet box.It was wired for 50amp.

[rg6a]

Listen to everyone, they are correct. You could cobble something up by using one side which is 120 (actually 117VAC, depending on where you live and the time of day). Thing is the hot water heater cycles and so does the fridge, and if they do at the same time, you're going to pop a fuse or breaker.

Sounds like you want a beer fridge in the garage but consider this..........IF there is an electrical fire, the FD will investigate and your gerry rigged install will be noticed and your Insurance Company will not cover you!!

Here's what to do, visit your local Home Depot or Lowes and purchase a 15 amp breaker, some 12 gauge romex and and steel box and dual ganged ac recepticle. Mount the box in the garage, fish the romex from your main panel to the garage. Hook it up in the garage then call an Electrician.

All he has to do is remove the panel face, punch out a slot then install and wire the breaker. He will check the install in the garage first. Will be in and out of there in 10 minutes and probably charge $60, give him $40 Cash and a cold beer and it's done! ;-)

PS make sure the romex is stapled and or secured along the run (you can purchase those U-shaped brackets if you don't have the proper stapler and they're cheap).

[Birdie]

The 120 volt line if overloaded with the water heater off will not be able to blow the 240 breaker thus creating a fire hazzard. I would pick up a small breaker sub panel hook it to your 240 line coming in then add a 30 amp 240 breaker and a 120 volt 15 amp breaker for your fridge.

[oldlumber]

I agree with the above statement, but by all means do not do this if you are not sure of what you are doing. Just because you can save a buck by doing it yourself, it can cost you your life if not done right. If you are comfortable then do it, if not leave it alone and hire someone.

[old school]

Once again, thanks for all of your replies. All I wanted to do is move the refrigerator to the same wall as the 240V box and run a conduit down to make a 120 receptacle. Looks like I will just buy a heavy duty extension cord and run it to an outlet on the other wall. Would have rather not had the unsightly cord running along the floor or along the wall. I like to keep things rather neat. :p

P.S. Yes it is a beer fridge for when I'm working out in the garage...I need to install a urinal out there too. :rolleyes: