Lou Decruss wrote:
>
> 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
Like I originally said, upgrading a range circuit can span from ultra
easy where the run is short and accessible in unfinished space, to a
royal pain and $$$ where the run is long and is through finished space.
A new 2P breaker and new receptacle is like $20, wire a couple dollars
per foot. Labor is where the expense is if it's a difficult run. I've
done ones where it cost $50 total in parts and took 30 minutes, and one
or two that were perhaps $50 more in wire, but took all day to do due to
a difficult run.