on 3/16/2005 8:57 AM Al Reid said the following:
"Duane Bozarth" wrote in message ...

Eddie Munster wrote:

It may need a new switch, one for 220.

For what reason...any UL-listed switch supplied will be rated for at
least 250V and amperage for 110V which is twice the current at 220V.


A switch for 220VAC should be, in the US of A, a 2 pole switch. That is, both hot, ungrounded conductors should be switched. For
the same reason the breaker is a 2 pole device.


Perhaps in an external switch, i.e. wall switch or something like that.

What you suggest makes sense for safety but...

If what you say is true, how is that manufacturer's of power tools that
are easily converted from 110v to 220v are so converted by merely
switching the connection of a pair of leads in the machine? They
certainly are not switching both sides of the connection.