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Someone has wired 240 volts into your 120 volt outlet. If you have 240 volts you need a specially configured outlet so that a standard 120 volt plug cannot be inserted. If you have this situation you would see 120 volts to ground and not neutral. Sometimes if you don't look carefully an outlet will look like the standard 120 volt variety but it isn't. One of the slots is horizontal and not vertical although there may be a small vertical split. 240 volts doesn't just magically appear. What you are describing is on purpose. If it really is 120 volt receptacle you need an electrician to put in the proper receptacle or re-wire the circuit.

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Q: Where is the problem if you have 240V on your 120V outlet and 120V on the neutral?
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Can you plug a 120v 20 amp wielder into a 240v 40 amp outlet?

Absoluteyl not.


Can you run your neon sign of 120v 50hz 60hz 0.6a 7.5kv 30mA in an Australian 240v power outlet?

No. The neon sign is fed by a step-up transformer. Primary side 120V, secondary side 7500V. If you applied 240 to the primary side you would get 15000 volts on the neon tube. A flash over and then nothing. If you can find a transformer from 120V to 240V or 240V to 120V then you are good to go. Connect 240V to 240V side and you will get 120V out the other, connect the 120V side to the neon sign and you should have light. Transformer should be at least 100va. This will give you an output of .83 amps at 120V


Single phase 4 pole Gen alt w 240V 60hz output no neutral. you check from each lead to ground and get 50-70V How do you get a neutral for connecting Gen to a standard breaker box having 240V and 120V?

Neutral is at the jumper that changes it from 120v to 240v. Two stator windings are used in series to make 240v; at that junction is (when wired in Series)your neutral/common/ground. Ground this terminal and use it for your neutral/common. When wired in parallel you have 110v and the jumper is removed and there is no common/neutral and ground is from the frame of the generator.


Can you convert an existing 120V plug on an appliance to a 240V plug not speaking of a converter but actually changing the plug so there are no long term effects on the appliance?

If I understand your question, Can you run a 110 appliance off of a 220 volt outlet? You could by only using one leg of the 220. You may also consider changing the outlet. Put in a regular 110 outlet and capping off one leg of the 220 in the wall box. You still have a neutral and a ground to work with. I read this as the questioner doesn't want to modify the outlet. Check the voltage ratings on the device. Many electronic devices nowadays can havdle 120V or 240V as it is cheaper to manufacture one powersupply and sell it everywhere. If your device is rated for 240V, you can put a 240V plug on it. If it only says 120V, no dice. 240V will burn it up.


Can 230V appliance plug into a 230v outlet?

Yes, it can be and there is no problem at all Because most of the electrical appliances are made to work on 220v - 240v so it can also be plugged into a 240v outlet.

Related questions

Can 240V washer run on 120V outlet?

No.


How do you convert a 4 prong 240V outlet to a 3 prong 240V outlet?

Disregard the neutral


What happens if you plug a 120V appliance into a 240V outlet?

You will burn up your appliance!!!!!


If you put a 60W 120V bulb in a 120V lamp that has a transformer for 240V and plug it into a 240V outlet will it work or blow the circuitry?

Off hand no but your explanations are not clear as to who is doing what to whom,,


Can you plug a 120v 20 amp wielder into a 240v 40 amp outlet?

Absoluteyl not.


I have 240V 3 wire twistlock plug and want to wire it so I have 120V outlet?

Don't!


Can you run your neon sign of 120v 50hz 60hz 0.6a 7.5kv 30mA in an Australian 240v power outlet?

No. The neon sign is fed by a step-up transformer. Primary side 120V, secondary side 7500V. If you applied 240 to the primary side you would get 15000 volts on the neon tube. A flash over and then nothing. If you can find a transformer from 120V to 240V or 240V to 120V then you are good to go. Connect 240V to 240V side and you will get 120V out the other, connect the 120V side to the neon sign and you should have light. Transformer should be at least 100va. This will give you an output of .83 amps at 120V


Single phase 4 pole Gen alt w 240V 60hz output no neutral. you check from each lead to ground and get 50-70V How do you get a neutral for connecting Gen to a standard breaker box having 240V and 120V?

Neutral is at the jumper that changes it from 120v to 240v. Two stator windings are used in series to make 240v; at that junction is (when wired in Series)your neutral/common/ground. Ground this terminal and use it for your neutral/common. When wired in parallel you have 110v and the jumper is removed and there is no common/neutral and ground is from the frame of the generator.


Can you take a 120V winecooler to Europe and use it with an 240V outlet and an adapter?

NO, unless you get a converter that converts 220 to 110.


Can you convert an existing 120V plug on an appliance to a 240V plug not speaking of a converter but actually changing the plug so there are no long term effects on the appliance?

If I understand your question, Can you run a 110 appliance off of a 220 volt outlet? You could by only using one leg of the 220. You may also consider changing the outlet. Put in a regular 110 outlet and capping off one leg of the 220 in the wall box. You still have a neutral and a ground to work with. I read this as the questioner doesn't want to modify the outlet. Check the voltage ratings on the device. Many electronic devices nowadays can havdle 120V or 240V as it is cheaper to manufacture one powersupply and sell it everywhere. If your device is rated for 240V, you can put a 240V plug on it. If it only says 120V, no dice. 240V will burn it up.


In an electrical security light when turned on works as normal when turned of has 120 volts on the live and has 240 on neutral what would be the problem?

When light is turned off, you measure 120V at point B and 240V at point C. Since your reference point is A, then A to C is 240V and A to B is 120V. This iteration confirms point B ("120 volts on the live") is probably your neutral, and you are wired incorrectly.


How do you hook the 4 wires which are 2 whites 1 red and 1 black coming from the back of a generator to an outlet for 120v and 240v?

The whites are Neutrals or Grounds and the Red and Black are each 120v. One white and either the black or red for 120v and one white, both the red and black for 240v.