220 Wiring
Are you currently in the process of building your home? Planning the wiring of your home is just as important as building it! Wiring is one of the most neglected issues when homes are planned to be built and therefore you need to plan adequately in order to avoid future problems. All homes are wired with 110 wiring. However you will have some appliances that require 220 wiring. Therefore, when planning, remember to plan for these appliances too.
One device that operates with 220 wiring is the air conditioner. In order to install an air conditioner in a room you will require at least a 15 amp outlet. However, a 20 amp outlet would be the ideal one especially if you are installing a large air conditioning unit. Another household device that runs on 220 wiring is the dryer. When planning the wiring for your home, installing a 220 outlet where the dryer would go is the best thing to do. The dyer requires the additional voltage to operate the heating element that dries clothes. For that reason, make sure that you install a 220 outlet in your laundry room. In most cases a 15 amp outlet would be enough for dryers.
220 wiring is different from 110 wiring! Be careful if you plan on repairing damaged wiring or installing wiring in your house. 220 wiring usually carries two live wires each carrying 110 volts. 220 wiring outlets have four inputs for this reason. The two live wires generally go opposite each other. The other two inputs are for the neutral and earth wires. When installing 220 wiring in your home, remember that you will need to have circuit breakers that are capable of handling that voltage. Otherwise every time you switch the device on the circuit will overload and trip. Wiring circuit breakers for 220 wiring can be complicated and is best left to an electrician. Remember that normal 110 wiring consists of only three wires. A live wire that is either black or red in color. The neutral wire is generally white, while the earth wire is green. When dealing with residential wiring, operate with care. Electricity can kill. If you are unsure about how to install a particular device, call an electrician.
220 wiring is essential to any home. Many devices like air conditioners, electric ovens and dryers operate only on 220 wiring. Therefore, when planning the wiring for your home, take such devices into account as well.