In your home, you will notice that some power outlets are bigger than others. These larger sockets are 220 volt outlets while the smaller ones are 110 volts. The larger sockets are used to power larger and power hungry appliances such as ovens and dryers.
And depending on the number of larger power intensive appliances you have or you intend to get you may need to increase the number of 220 volt sockets in your home. To do this it is wise to first understand the different 220v plug types there are.
What does a 220v outlet look like?
So how can you tell which socket is 220 volts? The first noticeable feature of 220 volt outlets is that they are larger. These outlets will be significantly larger than your standard 110 volt outlet. Additionally, they are typically round in shape and sport a dark or black appearance.
Another noticeable feature is the number of prongs present in the outlet. Normally, a 110 volt outlet will have only two prongs arranged side by side. However, some 220 v outlets have three or even four prongs.
Inside the socket are two hot wires unlike in a 110 v outlet which only has one hot wire. In most cases, the two hot wires are black and red. Furthermore, the wire connected to the outlet will be noticeably thicker. 220 v outlets require a wire that is at least 10 gauge in size.
Best Recommended 220v Plug
220v Plug Types volts Based on Breaker Size
220 volt outlets come in three variations 15 amp, 20, and 30 amp. These differ in terms of the power they provide and the breaker size needed.
The 15 amp 220-volt outlet
This one is the more common of the three and closely resembles the standard 110 volt outlet. However, it has larger plugs. These types of outlets are mainly used with appliances that require more power than the standard outlet can provide. They include washers, dryers, and commercial-sized air conditioning units
The 20 amp 220-volt outlet
These outlets use a 20 amp circuit. They typically have three holes with one of the holes having a T configuration. It is possible to plug a 15 amp appliance into this outlet. However, it is not possible to plug a 20 amp appliance into a 15 amp outlet.
The 30 amp 220-volt outlet
The largest of the three is the 30 amp outlet. This one has a dedicated circuit and is used for large appliances that are the most power-intensive in your home. This can include a range or a split-unit air conditioner.
This outlet also uses a thicker wire than the other types. In most cases, you will require a 10 gauge wire to use this outlet. You can use a 10 gauge wire with the other outlet types as well. However, you should not use a wire thinner than a 10 gauge wire with a 30 amp outlet.
In terms of physical appearance, it looks similar to the 15 amp outlet. However, the 30 amp outlet is larger and is typically installed on itself. Thus there is usually no option to plug additional appliances.
These plugs are designed to fit specific plugs on certain home appliances. They have distinct physical features to make it hard for you to plug an incompatible appliance.
220v plug types Based On Slots
220 volts outlets also differ based on the number of slots available on them. Some feature 2 slots, others three, and the most recent and recommended have 4 prongs.
2 Prong Outlets
These outlets have two slots arranged side by side. The slots are usually horizontal in shape and both take in two hot wires red and black. In a 2 prong outlet, there is no ground wire. Some appliances that use the outlet do not require a ground wire.
3 Prong 220 volt outlet
Unlike a 2 prong outlet, the three prong outlet has three slots. Two on either side and one at the bottom. The third slot grounds the electric connection. The purpose of the ground wire is to protect from electric shocks when using metal encased appliances.
It is important to note that there are two types of 3 prong outlets. The first type uses a neutral wire. Thus it will have three prongs, two being for the hot red and black wires and the third being a neutral white wire.
The other type of 3 prong outlet uses a ground wire instead of a neutral one. In this configuration, it will have two prongs for the two hot wires and one prong for the ground. The ground wire can be either bare copper or green insulated wire.
You should not try to use these two types of outlets interchangeably as this can damage your appliances. Therefore, you should not replace an outlet that requires a neutral wire with one that uses a ground wire or vice versa.
4 Prong 220 v outlet
A 3 prong outlet can use either ground or neutral wire. A 4 prong outlet on the other hand uses both and this is the difference between the two. A four-prong outlet has four prongs with both a neutral and ground outlet.
The neutral is responsible for bringing power back after it goes through the appliance. Typically, a 3 prong outlet will use a metal harness to ground the wire. This is less safe than with a 4 prong outlet though.
Most modern appliances feature a 4 prong outlet, and this type of outlet is recommended for modern home appliances.
Conclusion
Most homes have the standard 110 volt outlet. This outlet is also referred to as a 115v or 120 v. If you want to add larger appliances that are power intensive you will need a 220 volt. The exact type of 220 volt outlet you need will depend on the appliances you want to get.
If you plan on getting dryers or washers a 15 amp or 20 amp will do. For larger appliances such as a split air conditioning system, a 30 amp will be ideal. Also, it is important to note that the 4 prong 220 volt outlet is recommended and in some places a requirement.
Last update on 2024-12-07 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API