What is 240 Volts and How Much Current is in 240 Volts? Before you buy electrical appliances or do some electric work in a new home, you’ll want to know and understand what 240 volts are and how it differs from 120 volts. You might even find both in your home. A conventional electrical outlet has a 120-volt wire and a neutral wire to deliver power with one phase of the electrical service in the property. In a 240-volt outlet, there are two simultaneous 120-volt wires and a neutral wire for a single receptacle.
Appliances that use 240 volts Older appliances and homes may have three-prong 240-volt outlets while modern ones utilize a ground wire, which means they have four prongs. A 240-volt power supply is likely to be used with large and motor-driven appliances, which require more electricity to function. These appliances include clothes dryers, central air conditioners, water heaters, an oven, range, or cooktop, and a level 2 charger for an electric car.
What do 240-volt outlets look like? Compared to regular 120-volt outlets, 240-volt ones are larger with three to four holes and rounded tops. The number of holes will depend on the outlet’s age. Three-prong outlets are older versions with two diagonal holes on their sides and a hole that resembles a backward L on top. New four-prong outlets have the same features, but with the addition of a single half-circle hole at the bottom to accommodate the ground wire.