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110 volts to 220 volts for dryer use?

I'm trying to figure out how to get 220 volts for a dryer installation. The house just has 110 volt outlets. My question is, would I be able to tap into the 220 v used for the central air, and get the 220 volt I need for the dryer? Right now the central air breaker is set at 30A each.

Update:

What are the alternatives without calling for a electrician? Is there anything out there that can convert 110 to 220 for high power usage such as the dryer?

Update 2:

this sounds complicated, i'll call a certified pro....

Update 3:

In a 110 volt ckt, how does the ground work (green or bare wire) ?

16 Answers

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  • Anonymous
    1 decade ago
    Favorite Answer

    you cannot hook it to the ac circuit or change a 110 outlet to 220 volts...you need to get a 30 amp breaker for your main power box...some 10/3 with ground...and an outlet that matches the plug on your dryer...the wire will have 4 wires in it red (hot) black(hot) these go to breaker..white Neutral.connects where all the other white wires are in your power box..bare or green ground. connects with all the other bare or green wires are in your box...the outlet will have instructions on how to connect it....if you cannot do this call an electrician...Be safe be sure to turn main power breaker off before removing cover to your power box....normally all electric dryers are 30 amp unless otherwise specified on their nameplate and can be wired with 10/3 wire according to the national electric code 240.4, also nec 310.15 d says #10 wire maximum amperage rating is 40 amps on non plug and receptacle circuits...never put a dryer on a 40 or 50 amp breaker unless it requires you to do so...always check the amp draw on the dryer...the bare or ground wire will carry any voltage from any electrical short to frame to the outside grounding on your electrical system until the breaker trips... it is a safety for any voltage and doesnt carry any power otherwise....

    Source(s): 40 years master electrician...40 years appliance parts and repairs..
  • Erika
    Lv 4
    5 years ago

    110 Volt To 220 Volt Adapter

  • 1 decade ago

    Why don't you buy a 110/220 transformer, just check the Amps on the dryer and get an appropriate one.

    According to my knowledge, if on the dryer you have 5 Amps that means 5X220=1100 Watts, this should be balanced when you use the 110, so 1100/110=10 Amps

    As a conclusion, if the dryer consumes 5 Amps on 220 it will consume 10 Amps on the 110 so you will need to have a 15 Amp circuit breaker on the line of the dryer, at the 110 side.

    I hope this was clear.

  • luka
    Lv 5
    1 decade ago

    the answer to your question as far as tapping from your ac is no,the dryer pulls to much power so does the ac,it is against the nec code,you need to run a new line to your dryer go buy electrical wire rated at 30 amps and you will need a double 30 amp breaker, the wire has to have 3 wires one white which is neutral, one black which is 110 volts and one red which is the other 110 volts this would give you 220 volts.

    Source(s): electrical contractor.
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  • 1 decade ago

    Call an electrician to install a 240/120 volt, 30 amp circuit for your dryer.

    Source(s): I'm a real electrician
  • 1 decade ago

    You ees to run a new line. If you try to run this of of the air conditioner, you will have neither. Pull some new wire! You have 220, just take a hot from each of the two sides of your incoming line. (buy a two pole breaker!) pull some 10-3 and you will have enough to run a dryer, 2 hots a neutral and a ground. If this is confusing, call an electrician! It should not cost too much to get this done.

  • 1 decade ago

    I really hate to say this but based on your question you don't have enough knowledge for me to even instruct you in all the things necessary to make a save and serviceable hook-up.

    Call the electrician. It is cheaper than the deductible on your fire insurance.

    BTW, under no circumstances should you piggyback a dryer onto an A/C circuit. If you are very lucky it will only drop the breaker every time both appliances try to operate at the same time. If you are not lucky it will overload, overheat and start a fire.

    Please don't take offense. I do this sort of stuff all the time and you would be amazed at some of the messes I've had to deal with. I'm certain I've saved at least a dozen homes after the owners "FIXED" something in the electrical system until it stopped working.

  • 1 decade ago

    Oh hell no,you crazy or something,you'll blow your house up!

    (just kiddin),but really, if you dont dry clothes when your A/C is running,or run your A/C when your drying clothes. The NEC (national electric code) says you gotta have a dedicated circuit for your A/C ,and your dryer.

    P.S. there is a device for converting 110 to 220,its called a transformer,but it would be cheaper to hire an electrician to run a circuit for ya.

    Source(s): 30+ years in the trade, and the NEC
  • 1 decade ago

    It is NOT possible to convert 110 to 220.

    Must have 220 voltage and outlet.

    CanNOT tap into AC for your 220 either.

    It takes two breakers set up for the 220 AC.

    It takes two separate breakers for the dryer.

    220 is NOT advisable for an amateur to work around. We do various wiring on our home ourselves regarding 110 because we DO know what we are doing - - for insurance purposes, we have an inspector approve it.

    Get an electrician for this job and you will keep your homeowners insurance active.

  • 1 decade ago

    You will need a new breaker installed in your service panel, wire run to the area of the dryer and a new outlet. "Tapping" into the central air circuit will not allow the dryer to have enough power to run correctly, may damage the central air unit, and probably would cause a fire. At the very least you would trip the breaker constantly. Not code compliant, either, but that would be the least of your worries.

    Call the electrician.

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