On Wed, 28 Sep 2011 09:22:48 -0500, "Pete C." >
wrote:

>
>Lou Decruss wrote:
>>
>> On Tue, 27 Sep 2011 19:15:14 +0000 (UTC),
>> (Steve Pope) wrote:
>>
>> >sf > wrote:
>> >
>> >>On Tue, 27 Sep 2011 01:02:54 +0000 (UTC),
>> >
>> >>> Any U.S. house that does not have 220 wiring should be upgraded
>> >
>> >>Agreed.
>> >
>> >Let me correct that to "any house that does not have a 220V
>> >service entrance should be upgraded". There's not actually any
>> >need to put in any 220V circuits unless/until you have appliances
>> >that need them. Putting in a 220V circuit randomly, without knowing
>> >which appliance it needs to be hooked to, would be silly as it
>> >would likely end up in the wrong place, at least slightly.
>> >
>> >As for Sheldon's point, yes, only a licensed electrician should
>> >put in a service entrance. It's usually considered okay for
>> >DIY types to put in a 120V circuit, lamp wiring, or similar.
>> >An experienced DIY type might take on putting in a 220V circuit.
>> >I never have done this.
>>
>> A 240 volt circuit just has an extra wire connected to the opposite
>> phase. It's really not as big of a deal as you think.
>
>Nope, nothing magic, more dangerous or more difficult about 240V
>circuits, just another wire. The same goes for 3 phase 120/208 Wye
>circuits not serving motor loads. "Wild leg" 240 delta circuits require
>a bit more attention to detail ensuring that the "wild leg" is not
>confused with the others, but even that is no big deal. Phase rotation
>needs to be taken into account for three phase motor loads, but again
>it's not brain surgery.

Yes I know all this but I doubt anyone here cares. My point is that
people hear 240 and they immediately think danger and a huge price
tag. The parts are more and the wire is usually bigger but it's not
as bad as people let themselves get tricked into paying. I think it
was sheldon who said it would cost thousands which is crazy unless
walls need to be carved up.

Lou