Why do some 240 volt devices need a neutral?
 

The way I see it, the current flows from one conductor to the other? So
what's the neutral for? The only thing I can think of is perhaps these
devices have several independent parts in them and some of those parts
are 120 volts...

Thanks,

Aaron

Why do some 240 volt devices need a neutral?
 

Some 220 VAC devices have a clock, circuit board, or some
other sub assembly which is 110 VAC.

--
Christopher A. Young
Learn more about Jesus
www.lds.org
..


"Aaron Fude" wrote in message
...
The way I see it, the current flows from one conductor to
the other? So
what's the neutral for? The only thing I can think of is
perhaps these
devices have several independent parts in them and some of
those parts
are 120 volts...

Thanks,

Aaron

Why do some 240 volt devices need a neutral?
 

On Sep 21, 10:03*am, "Stormin Mormon"
wrote:
Some 220 VAC devices have a clock, circuit board, or some
other sub assembly which is 110 VAC.

--
Christopher A. Young
Learn more about Jesus
*www.lds.org
.

"Aaron Fude" wrote in message

...
The way I see it, the current flows from one conductor to
the other? So
what's the neutral for? The only thing I can think of is
perhaps these
devices have several independent parts in them and some of
those parts
are 120 volts...

Thanks,

Aaron
..
Trolling? Well; for example: Cooking stoves. The various ones we've
had (three or four countries) vary somewhat.
And only in 3 wire plus ground North American - Mexico 115 - 0 - 115
volt wiring practice.

Buy typically our present cooking stove has 230 volt elements and 230
volt oven heater/broiler etc. But the timer clock on this current one
is (IIRC) I115 volt.
Also there is a 115 volt light bulb in the oven controlled by a switch
on the stove and a 115 volt 'convenience' outlet.
Can't remember on this stove if that outlet is controlled by the
timer; but sometimes they are. And it occasioanally makes a convenient
place to plug in something heavy like a 1500 watt electric kettle or
fry pan.
On the other hand our 230 volt electric hot water heater does NOT need
a neutral for anything I can think of.

Why do some 240 volt devices need a neutral?
 

stan wrote:
On Sep 21, 10:03 am, "Stormin Mormon"
wrote:
Some 220 VAC devices have a clock, circuit board, or some
other sub assembly which is 110 VAC.

--
Christopher A. Young
Learn more about Jesus
www.lds.org
.

"Aaron Fude" wrote in message

...
The way I see it, the current flows from one conductor to
the other? So
what's the neutral for? The only thing I can think of is
perhaps these
devices have several independent parts in them and some of
those parts
are 120 volts...

Thanks,

Aaron
.
Trolling? Well; for example: Cooking stoves. The various ones we've
had (three or four countries) vary somewhat.
And only in 3 wire plus ground North American - Mexico 115 - 0 - 115
volt wiring practice.

Buy typically our present cooking stove has 230 volt elements and 230
volt oven heater/broiler etc. But the timer clock on this current one
is (IIRC) I115 volt.
Also there is a 115 volt light bulb in the oven controlled by a switch
on the stove and a 115 volt 'convenience' outlet.
Can't remember on this stove if that outlet is controlled by the
timer; but sometimes they are. And it occasioanally makes a convenient
place to plug in something heavy like a 1500 watt electric kettle or
fry pan.
On the other hand our 230 volt electric hot water heater does NOT need
a neutral for anything I can think of.

Thanks for all the responses, but now I have a follow up question.

So some devices (A) need neutral and some (B) don't. Then I would guess
that plugs on (B) should be a "special case" of those on (A). Meaning
that plugs on (B) should be pluggable into outlets with a neutral. But
unless I am mistaken, that is not the case. Why not? Or am I mistaken?

Thanks again,

Aaron

Why do some 240 volt devices need a neutral?
 

Aaron Fude wrote:
stan wrote:
On Sep 21, 10:03 am, "Stormin Mormon"
wrote:
Some 220 VAC devices have a clock, circuit board, or some
other sub assembly which is 110 VAC.

--
Christopher A. Young
Learn more about Jesus
www.lds.org
.

"Aaron Fude" wrote in message

...
The way I see it, the current flows from one conductor to
the other? So
what's the neutral for? The only thing I can think of is
perhaps these
devices have several independent parts in them and some of
those parts
are 120 volts...

Thanks,

Aaron
.
Trolling? Well; for example: Cooking stoves. The various ones we've
had (three or four countries) vary somewhat.
And only in 3 wire plus ground North American - Mexico 115 - 0 - 115
volt wiring practice.

Buy typically our present cooking stove has 230 volt elements and
230 volt oven heater/broiler etc. But the timer clock on this
current one is (IIRC) I115 volt.
Also there is a 115 volt light bulb in the oven controlled by a
switch on the stove and a 115 volt 'convenience' outlet.
Can't remember on this stove if that outlet is controlled by the
timer; but sometimes they are. And it occasioanally makes a
convenient place to plug in something heavy like a 1500 watt
electric kettle or fry pan.
On the other hand our 230 volt electric hot water heater does NOT
need a neutral for anything I can think of.

Thanks for all the responses, but now I have a follow up question.

So some devices (A) need neutral and some (B) don't. Then I would
guess that plugs on (B) should be a "special case" of those on (A).
Meaning that plugs on (B) should be pluggable into outlets with a
neutral. But unless I am mistaken, that is not the case. Why not? Or
am I mistaken?

There are 4 prong plugs and recepticals for 240 volt with neutral, and there
are 3 prong plugs and recepticals for 240 volt without neutral, they also
vary in configuration depending on the amperage and if they are locking.

Why do some 240 volt devices need a neutral?
 

"Aaron Fude" wrote in message
...
The way I see it, the current flows from one conductor to the other? So
what's the neutral for? The only thing I can think of is perhaps these
devices have several independent parts in them and some of those parts are
120 volts...

Thanks,

Aaron

As others have said, if a 240 volt device requires a neutral, it uses 120
volts for some part of it. With the exception of older electric ranges and
cooking equipment, any 240 volt device that requires a neutral would
typically be hard wired or furnished with a 4 wire outlet and cord

Why do some 240 volt devices need a neutral?
 

RBM wrote:

As others have said, if a 240 volt device requires a neutral, it uses 120
volts for some part of it. With the exception of older electric ranges and
cooking equipment, any 240 volt device that requires a neutral would
typically be hard wired or furnished with a 4 wire outlet and cord

It's not so much the age of the appliance as it is the age and wiring of
the building that determines whether a 240 volt range or dryer has a 3
or 4 wire cord. The appliances are typically sold without cords for
that reason. It also helps keep the advertised price down. If a 3 wire
cord is needed, the neutral terminal on the appliance is bonded to the
frame.

Why do some 240 volt devices need a neutral?
 

"Bob" wrote in message
...
RBM wrote:

As others have said, if a 240 volt device requires a neutral, it uses 120
volts for some part of it. With the exception of older electric ranges
and cooking equipment, any 240 volt device that requires a neutral would
typically be hard wired or furnished with a 4 wire outlet and cord

It's not so much the age of the appliance as it is the age and wiring of
the building that determines whether a 240 volt range or dryer has a 3 or
4 wire cord. The appliances are typically sold without cords for that
reason. It also helps keep the advertised price down. If a 3 wire cord
is needed, the neutral terminal on the appliance is bonded to the frame.

My point is that only ranges and cooking equipment are exceptions