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In an existing situation this can only be done if the 110 volt plug is in a split receptacle configuration. For identification this receptacle will be fed with a three wire cable.

This 220 volt receptacle will only have the capacity of 15 amps because of the size of the wire feeding the receptacle.

The receptacle that you want to turn into a 220 volt receptacle should be a dedicated circuit (only receptacle on the circuit), if it isn't all the rest of the receptacles on the circuit will also be changed to 220 volts.

Answer for USA, Canada and countries running a 60 Hz supply service.

Please read this explanation thoroughly twice before doing any electrical work. Do this electrical work only if you feel confident that you can do it safely. If not, then this is the procedure that an electrician would use and you would be able to follow what he is doing.

Again an electrician should be your first choice. If you consider doing this the first thing is SHUT THE MAIN BREAKER OFF. Use an auxiliary light source to see when working in a dead panel.

Always keep in mind an ARC FLASH ACROSS HOT MAINS HAS ENOUGH HEAT TO PEAL THE SKIN OFF OF YOU.

Before an explanation of how to do this you should keep in mind that this is for a single receptacle only, rated at 15 amps at 220 volts. It can only be a 15 amp receptacle because of the existing house circuit wiring is probably a #14 wire that is only rated at 15 amps. If any other receptacles are on the same circuit they also will also be changed to 220 volts.

That said OK, any 110 volt outlet can be changed to 220 volt. Locate the white wire from the circuit that you are going to change and remove the white wire from the neutral bus bar.

Remove the black wire from the single pole breaker that feeds the circuit that you are going to change.

Remove the single pole breaker from the breaker panel.

Install a two pole common handle 15 amp breaker into two spare panel slots.

If you have no spare slots use the hole left by the old single pole breaker. At this point you will have to relocate an adjacent breaker to make a space for the two pole breaker. Move the single adjacent breaker to a spare slot if you can find one.

If there are no spare slots, stop the project, as the project will get complicated and you should leave it to an electrician.

It has to do with load balancing.

If you are continuing, leave the new two pole breaker turned off.

Connect the black wire that came off of the single pole breaker on to the top terminal of the new two pole breaker.

Connect the white wire that came off of the neutral bar to the lower terminal of the two pole breaker. Install a piece of black electrician's tape for an identification marker on the old neutral wire.

Re install the cover to the electrical panel, this end is finished.

At the receptacle end remove the 110 volt receptacle and replace it with a 220 volt 15 amp rated receptacle.

Connect the existing two wires to the new 220 volt receptacle and connect the ground wire to the green terminal screw.

Materials can be purchased at local building supply store. Remember to take the electrical panel data with you so you have the information for the new two pole breaker.

Once you have the receptacle installed, identify on the electrical panel door what the new breaker is used for.

Turn the main breaker back on.

Test the new receptacle with a voltage tester to make sure you have 220 volts and that every thing is OK.

Note; to be compliant with the electrical code, black tape both ends of the old neutral wire to identify it as a "hot" current carrying conductor and not to be mistaken for a neutral wire.

As always, if you are in doubt about what to do, the best advice anyone should give you is to call a licensed electrician to advise what work is needed.

Before you do any work yourself,

on electrical circuits, equipment or appliances

always use a test meter to ensure the circuit is, in fact, de-energized.

IF YOU ARE NOT ALREADY SURE YOU CAN DO THIS JOB

SAFELY AND COMPETENTLY

REFER THIS WORK TO QUALIFIED PROFESSIONALS.

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Q: How do you change 2 110 amp plugs into 1 220 amp plug?
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