# Electrial question...! 120v -\> 240v **URL:** \ **Category:** NYSpeed Off Topic\ **Created:** [December 19, 2009, 9:24pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/electrial-question-120v-240v/77423 "2009-12-19T21:24:58Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Hass](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/51bf81/32.png) [@Hass](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/Hass)\ **Post date:** [December 19, 2009, 9:24pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/electrial-question-120v-240v/77423/1 "2009-12-19T21:24:58Z")
I think this is going to sound like something brooklyn would ask… but… If I have an item with a 240v plug on it. Is there any way I can convert the 240v plug, to 2 120v lines instead? Basically, my work in unheated. so when it’s fucking cold outside, it’s fucking cold inside. The 440v line I have, I need for my welder, as one is hardwired the other is not. No 240v lines, only 120v. So my options areeeee… Make a custom space heater, utilizing multiple 120v lines with a breaker on each (this is my current planning, drawing one up on inventor at the moment -.-), or convert a store bought 240v space heater to run on 2 120v lines (easy way I’m hoping is possible, but I don’t think so) Cannn it be done? and no, im not going to surround myself by 4 120v space heaters, thanks. ---
**Author:** ![Jam](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/jam/32/7235_2.png) [@Jam](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/Jam)\ **Post date:** [December 19, 2009, 9:34pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/electrial-question-120v-240v/77423/2 "2009-12-19T21:34:22Z")
im no pro, but im pretty sure this is unpossable gl ---
**Author:** ![burnt\_toast](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/burnt_toast/32/7518_2.png) [@burnt\_toast](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/burnt_toast)\ **Post date:** [December 19, 2009, 9:55pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/electrial-question-120v-240v/77423/3 "2009-12-19T21:55:55Z")
I’m REALLY trying to understand what you mean by all of this… are you saying that you have a space heater that requires 240, and you only have 120 lines? (aside from the welder’s 440, obviously) soooo… you would need a transformer to change everything properly, you can’t just run an extra plug. something like these: > **[Region Free DVD Players, MultiSystem LCD TVs, Region Free DVD Recorders,...](http://www.world-import.com/all-transformers.htm)** > > World-Import.com Offers Highest Quality 220 Volt Multi-System Electronics and Appliances. ---
**Author:** ![Hass](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/51bf81/32.png) [@Hass](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/Hass)\ **Post date:** [December 19, 2009, 10:14pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/electrial-question-120v-240v/77423/4 "2009-12-19T22:14:45Z")
> [@burnt\_toast](#): > > I’m REALLY trying to understand what you mean by all of this… are you saying that you have a space heater that requires 240, and you only have 120 lines? (aside from the welder’s 440, obviously) > soooo… you would need a transformer to change everything properly, you can’t just run an extra plug. > > something like these: > [Step Down Voltage Transformer, Step Up Voltage Transformer, Step UP/Down Voltage Transformer, 220 to 110 volt voltage transformer, Voltage regulator - World Import](http://www.world-import.com/all-transformers.htm) Lol I’m shit at explaining things, I know. No I do not have a space heater that requires 240v, but I could get one. But yes, that’s exactly what I wanted :] tad expensive for a 5kw one, but at least I know what I need. Thanks :] Any idea if these are acceptable by OSHA? ---
**Author:** ![Fry](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/fry/32/7284_2.png) [@Fry](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/Fry)\ **Post date:** [December 19, 2009, 10:15pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/electrial-question-120v-240v/77423/5 "2009-12-19T22:15:16Z")
No. EDIT: No to running it off of a pair of 120V lines. It doesn’t work that way. As for the transformer suggestion: LOL. ---
**Author:** ![Hass](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/51bf81/32.png) [@Hass](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/Hass)\ **Post date:** [December 19, 2009, 10:21pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/electrial-question-120v-240v/77423/6 "2009-12-19T22:21:26Z")
> [@Hass](#): > > Any idea if these are acceptable by OSHA? > [@Fry](#): > > No. no to that? ^ Or no to original post? ---
**Author:** ![Hass](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/51bf81/32.png) [@Hass](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/Hass)\ **Post date:** [December 19, 2009, 10:59pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/electrial-question-120v-240v/77423/7 "2009-12-19T22:59:46Z")
I’d really like to just buy a 12v heated vest+pants like bikers wear… but I’m afraid of some slag burning through and going right through to the heating element :o ---
**Author:** ![sbanzer123](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/c77e96/32.png) [@sbanzer123](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/sbanzer123)\ **Post date:** [December 20, 2009, 7:35am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/electrial-question-120v-240v/77423/8 "2009-12-20T07:35:55Z")
yes you can. if you open up the plug there will be a black, white, red and green wire going into the plug. the red and black are each 120v circuits. so it you want one plug just hook up the the black the white and green to a standard 120v receptacle. you will also have to change the breaker out to two single pole breakers. ---
**Author:** ![newman](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/newman/32/7569_2.png) [@newman](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/newman)\ **Post date:** [December 20, 2009, 7:38am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/electrial-question-120v-240v/77423/9 "2009-12-20T07:38:56Z")
technically if you can find 2 different outlets that are out of phase you could rig up some sketchy 2 plug deal, but it makes me pretty nervous, mostly because the breakers aren’t tied together. ---
**Author:** ![sbanzer123](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/c77e96/32.png) [@sbanzer123](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/sbanzer123)\ **Post date:** [December 20, 2009, 7:57am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/electrial-question-120v-240v/77423/10 "2009-12-20T07:57:11Z")
wait after reading the op maybe im confused too lol. pm me and maybe i can stop by and give you a hand. ---
**Author:** ![LZ1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/7ab992/32.png) [@LZ1](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/LZ1)\ **Post date:** [December 20, 2009, 8:14am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/electrial-question-120v-240v/77423/11 "2009-12-20T08:14:23Z")
Do you have a life insurance policy? ---
**Author:** ![Hass](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/51bf81/32.png) [@Hass](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/Hass)\ **Post date:** [December 20, 2009, 8:42am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/electrial-question-120v-240v/77423/12 "2009-12-20T08:42:29Z")
> [@LZ](#): > > Do you have a life insurance policy? yea, but i think it would go under workers comp! :o Plus I get zapped a million times a day from standing on ice while welding and in wet clothes… It’s just high freq usually, but meh. So if I can cut down on such annoyance, that would be pretty dandy. p.s. How would I know if the outlets are out of phase? Basically, each box has 4 outlets on it. (All of which are 120v) The left 2 outlets are going to one breaker. The right 2 outlets are going to a different breaker. I’ll take a picture of it tomorrow… So technically I have access to 4 different 15amp breakers. (There’s 2 of such boxes in my booth, giving me 8 120 lines total total) Or perhaps the 120v outlets on the welder would be of use? Hummm… ---
**Author:** ![zynine](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/zynine/32/5457_2.png) [@zynine](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/zynine)\ **Post date:** [December 20, 2009, 9:28am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/electrial-question-120v-240v/77423/13 "2009-12-20T09:28:20Z")
Get a 120V heater, saves you the trouble. ---
**Author:** ![deebo](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/deebo/32/5218_2.png) [@deebo](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/deebo)\ **Post date:** [December 20, 2009, 9:30am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/electrial-question-120v-240v/77423/14 "2009-12-20T09:30:34Z")
You should rewire the breaker box instead of dying or build a fire pit, route smoke outside ---
**Author:** ![LXIFLYBY](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/lxiflyby/32/7399_2.png) [@LXIFLYBY](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/LXIFLYBY)\ **Post date:** [December 20, 2009, 9:35am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/electrial-question-120v-240v/77423/15 "2009-12-20T09:35:00Z")
so you have a 480 plug? You should get a 480 heater and have another outlet installed. Running 120 heaters use a buttload of current. ---
**Author:** ![n20junkie](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/n20junkie/32/7396_2.png) [@n20junkie](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/n20junkie)\ **Post date:** [December 20, 2009, 10:55am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/electrial-question-120v-240v/77423/16 "2009-12-20T10:55:10Z")
There is so much fail in these replies. First off, is it 1 phase or 3 phase, that will change everything. ---
**Author:** ![Willybeen](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/willybeen/32/7351_2.png) [@Willybeen](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/Willybeen)\ **Post date:** [December 20, 2009, 11:00am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/electrial-question-120v-240v/77423/17 "2009-12-20T11:00:18Z")
> [@LZ](#): > > Do you have a life insurance policy? Im no electrician, but i can help you out here! ---
**Author:** ![steveo87](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/c0e974/32.png) [@steveo87](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/steveo87)\ **Post date:** [December 20, 2009, 1:09pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/electrial-question-120v-240v/77423/18 "2009-12-20T13:09:27Z")
yea two 120v lines is very bad idea!!! ---
**Author:** ![Southtowns27](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/southtowns27/32/5002_2.png) [@Southtowns27](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/Southtowns27)\ **Post date:** [December 20, 2009, 1:17pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/electrial-question-120v-240v/77423/19 "2009-12-20T13:17:17Z")
Do you have 220 into your panel and no 220 outlet, or do you just not have 220 at all? If you’re not sure, open up the breaker panel-how many bus bars feed the breakers. If you have 2 feeds, a neutral and a ground, you already have 220. One feed, a neutral and a ground you only have 110 and you can’t do what you want. Why not get a heater that uses 277? Then you can just use one leg of the 480. Check the sticker on the heater, it might work on 277 if it works on 220. ---
**Author:** ![LowlyOilBurner](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/a6a055/32.png) [@LowlyOilBurner](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/LowlyOilBurner)\ **Post date:** [December 20, 2009, 2:51pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/electrial-question-120v-240v/77423/20 "2009-12-20T14:51:59Z")
Use two of the hot legs and the neutral off the 440/460/480v service. The 440/460/480v service is most likely 3phase, so you technically get away with it. If the wires are color coded(they should be), use the black and white for hots, disregard the red. And neutral is neutral. But this is pretty fucking getto, I would find a new job or get a boat load of 110v space heaters and call it a day. [Next page](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/electrial-question-120v-240v/77423.md?page=2)