Making 220v to 110v adapter for temp pole

22478 Views 10 Replies 7 Participants Last post by Electric_Light, Oct 22, 2009

intrim

Discussion Starter · Sep 30, 2009

I have seen adapters used on new construction temp poles that use the 220 plug to convert to 110.
Many of the temp poles we (carpenters) come across on job sites, only 1 of 2 of the 110 plugs are working. Calling the super to have it fixed takes half the day if were lucky.
I realize using 1 leg of the 220 we can have 110. If I take a 220 male plug (similar to regular 110 plug, with one prong sideways) and only use one leg, do I connect the neutral and ground together to complete the 3-wire from the other end (110 female)?
I wouldn't be making any changes to the pole itself, and realize I would lose protection from the large breaker on the pole.

Thanks

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ampman

· #2 · Sep 30, 2009

you are better off waiting for it to be fixed correctly

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480sparky

· #3 · Sep 30, 2009

Go to an RV/Camper stupply store and ask for a 'dogbone'.

It will look something like this:

They will only work if you have 4 wires in the 220v receptacle. Just make sure you know what type of 220 receptacle you have to plug into, so you can make sure you get the right kind of male cord end to match it.

Since you now have a 110v receptacle, you'll need to GFI-protect it with a GFI cord.

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TxElectrician

· #4 · Sep 30, 2009

Don't rig a 110 volt receptacle from a 3 wire 220v.

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ampman

· #5 · Oct 1, 2009

480sparky said:
Go to an RV/Camper stupply store and ask for a 'dogbone'.

It will look something like this:

They will only work if you have 4 wires in the 220v receptacle. Just make sure you know what type of 220 receptacle you have to plug into, so you can make sure you get the right kind of male cord end to match it.

Since you now have a 110v receptacle, you'll need to GFI-protect it with a GFI cord.

480 this "dog bone " is for converting 30 amp 120 to 15 amp 120 travel trailer service it will not work for 240 volt 30 or 50 amp but i'am sure you already know this

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480sparky

· #6 · Oct 1, 2009

ampman said:
480 this "dog bone " is for converting 30 amp 120 to 15 amp 120 travel trailer service it will not work for 240 volt 30 or 50 amp but i'am sure you already know this

I could only find a photo of a TTL-30 to NEMA 5-15. That's why I stated to make sure the receptacle is a 4-wire (120/240) and not a 3-wire (240 only).

But I've seen dogbones that plug into 14-30 and 14-50s that will convert down to a 5-15.

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fsmyth

· #7 · Oct 18, 2009

Dunno about y'all, but the last 47 times I built a temp pole,
the neutral and ground were bonded in the box, and run to
a rod set with the pole. I see no harm in using an adapter
other than the breaker rating. I personally have never done
this, of course

Wouldn't hurt to add GFCI, if the pole does not incorporate
it, and I would definitely suggest a 15A fuse or breaker in
the adapter.
<als>

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480sparky

· #8 · Oct 18, 2009

fsmyth said:
Dunno about y'all, but the last 47 times I built a temp pole, the neutral and ground were bonded in the box, and run to
a rod set with the pole.

At the first point of disconnect is the only time the ground and neutrals are to be tied together. After that, they are to be kept separate.

fsmyth said:
I see no harm in using an adapter .........

I do. At least some of them.

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Kgmz

· #9 · Oct 19, 2009

You said "If I take a 220 male plug (similar to regular 110 plug, with one prong sideways)". This will not work as already mentioned, this is a 3 wire 20 amp receptacle.

What do you need the extra plug for? air compressor, etc?

Back in the day when I was a sub, I have a compressor that is 120/240 volt and had a extra pigtail so I could wire it accordingly. So I usually ran it on 240.

Now I make my own temp poles, and have at least a 50 amp 4 wire 240 volt, a 30 amp 120 RV, and 2 20 amp 120 volt receptacles. This way I am covered for almost anything. I use the 30 amp RV for my motorhome which I keep at the job sites. And have a Marinco 169AYRV Y-adapter that will split the 50 amp into two 30 amp RV receptacles, then I use a adapter box with breakers on these ends to a normal 20 amp receptacle. I also have a couple of adapters that will convert the 50 amp into other 240 volt receptacles like for a welder, etc.

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intrim

Discussion Starter · #10 · Oct 19, 2009

I see the problem of only being a 3 prong vs 4 prong.

I will stay with using the 110 (none of my tools are 220 capable). Normally the poles are so overloaded with users of 110 and not 220. It must have been a 4 prong plug on the pole I've seen people using an adapter.

Thanks for the replies

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Electric_Light

· #11 · Oct 22, 2009

It's pretty common at event locations, event purpose generators and such. There are PDUs meant specifically for such purposes. Many have five prong 208Y/120v outlets and PDUs distribute them appropriately so the phases are reasonably balanced. (ph1,ph2,ph3, neutral, ground).

The older dryer outlets assumed neutral to be ground, however newer ones are 4 prong with ground having its own pin. You do not connect ground and neutral as that's already done inside the panel.

Best thing to do is obtain a proper UL certified PDU off the shelf meant for splitting one type of outlet into normal 120v outlets. Next best is to have an electrician build such a thing.

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