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If I've understood your description of the outlet correctly, you have a NEMA 6 outlet. With the one t-shaped receptacle socket, your outlet is designed for either 15 or 20 amp at 208 or 240V, maximum rated 250V.
If interested, do a search on NEMA 6-15 or NEMA 6-20 for more information.
With that in mind, and as mentioned by others, it is likely that your receptacle is a 220V receptacle rated for either 15 or 20A. The latter would be verified by checking the breaker rating for that circuit, or if an older installation, by the fuse rating.
Also as mentioned earlier, if this receptacle is near a window, it is very likely that it was for a window A/C unit as many early units were 220V. Although this may seem odd today, it was not uncommon in the early days of window units. And in fact, just because they were 220V, it doesn't mean they were inefficient. It may be true that older units may be less efficient overall due to advances in technology, the requirement for 220V doesn't necessarily mean a higher current draw. Also, because these units had a higher voltage available, their compressors often would last a long time as they didn't work as hard. But it all depends....
Never the less, if you are really concerned, you could have an electrician come over and pretty quickly identify the circuit and tell you exactly what you've got.
In the meantime you can use the closest 110V outlet for your newer 110V equipment. Just as others have said though, an A/C unit will draw a lot of current at times, especially at start-up. So you'll want to keep any extension cord at a minimum length and use an "appliance" extension cord, not a light duty "lamp" extension cord. Not using the right cord is a definite fire risk. You also may want to be sure that the circuit you use for your A/C unit is lightly loaded. Since this sounds like it is an older house, it is common for circuits to be heavily loaded as outlets were added or the original service was undersized for today's needs.
If you see excessive dimming of lights, or worse have repeated breaker/fuse trips, then you need to move other appliances, lights, etc off of the circuit you have the A/C plugged into. If that isn't an option, then you'll want to find another circuit to plug the A/C into or have an electrician convert that 220V outlet to 110V, which should be an easy job since the wiring is already there.
The 15/20 Amp 115volt receptacle is reverse of the 230volt T tandem 15/20 amp receptacle. Except the single slot side is vertical in the 115 volt rec. There are many configurations for window A/C's up to at least 30 amp ...
Some newer (last 20 years or so) 115 v units 14,000, 15,000 will have the 20 amp 115 volt plug. Wish I could draw here.
I can't say for sure, but I'd bet my big fat butt that it's a 220V outlet, and you have a 110V window unit.
Yes his outlet is a 20 amp 240 volt style. As pointed out some of the older a/c units were 240 vac. I grew up with one of these types of window units in the house. It did an excellent job of keeping the 1200 sq. ft. house very cool all summer long in muggy hot Indiana.
Can I use a 8000 BTU's in a 110 outlet ?. Or what is the highest BTU's I can use ????
If the AC is 110 then yes but the problem is you need to know whether if that is a dedicated AC outlet. If there are other branch circuits connected to that outlet, you may end up tripping the breaker when the AC is running and you are also using other outlets.
A window AC that size will specs out to about 800watts. Dedicated 15-20 AMP circuit is ideal.
Can I use a 8000 BTU's in a 110 outlet ?. Or what is the highest BTU's I can use ????
It's not about btu's- it's all about amperage. A typical run-of-the-mill 8000btu window unit will pull about 7-7.5 amps. So, in a typical residential room you'll probably have a 15amp circuit. So, you'd be good to go!
Just don't go over-board. Size the unit to the room/area; and keep in consideration that there maybe other items plugged into the same circuit. DON'T OVERLOAD THE CIRCUIT!
There are DIFFERENT outlets for "different" types of electricity.
Various appliances require certain types of electricity.
With that said, have an electrician install the correct type of outlet for the appliance.
Also note that with window air conditioners, older units needed a LOT of electricity. Newer units can do the same amount of cooling with much less electricity. And a "heavy duty" electrical outlet (used for older unit) can be changed to a less heavy duty outlet with the appropriate circuit breaker.
Warning: Never change an appliance plug to match the outlet you have available! Rather have an electrician install the appropriate outlet, circuit, and breaker. (No fires and no wrecked appliances.)
I have a 20 amp 220 volt receptacle and I'm wanting to convert it to a 15 amp 125 volt receptacle.Can you tell me how to re wire the20 amp 220 plug to a 15 amp 125 straight plug
It's for a 8000 BTU air conditioner.
I have a 20 amp 220 volt receptacle and I'm wanting to convert it to a 15 amp 125 volt receptacle.Can you tell me how to re wire the20 amp 220 plug to a 15 amp 125 straight plug
It's for a 8000 BTU air conditioner.
Yes; I could tell you. But for the sake of time and your safety- hire an electrician.
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