240v outlet

[Rick Cantrell]

I own a rental house that has a 240v outlet for a window unit A/C. The tenants have a 120v window unit. What are the options for changing from 240 to 120v?

[Jerry Peck]

What are the options for changing from 240 to 120v?

Rick,

1) *Assuming* that you only have a two-wire circuit (hot-hot-and ground) going to that 240 volt receptacles outlet ... you could disconnect the circuit conductors at the breaker, tape one of the hot conductors (you should have black and red) with white phase tape and connect it to the neutral terminal bar, then replace the receptacle with the proper 120 volt receptacle.

If the above assumption is correct ... you likely really have a white and black conductor there, in which case you would place the white conductor on the neutral terminal bar (where it should be ;) ).

2) *Assuming* that you have a three-wire circuit (hot-hot-neutral-and ground), then simply discontinue using one of the 'hot' conductors and properly abandon it (wire nut and tied out of place so it cannot accidentally touch any other conductors) and use the remaining 'hot' and your existing 'neutral' conductor. Then replace the receptacle with a proper 120 volt receptacle.

I'm betting you have 1) above.

[Rick Cantrell]

Thanks Jerry