Don, I did not in any way suggest using the ground wire for current. But many appliances such as the KPA1500, air compressors, water heater, etc. are 220VAC devices that only require 2 wires plus ground. If you look at the plugs on many of these type devices there are only three prongs - each phase plus ground. There is no need for a neutral wire. Yes, appliances like ovens and dryers where there is a need for 110 VAC besides 220VAC do need the neutral wire, hence the 4-wire plug.
I was commenting on the mention below of using 3 wires plus ground for the amp. I can't see how that is necessary for a dedicated outlet for the amp. 2 wires plus ground is quite sufficient. 73, N2TK, Tony -----Original Message----- From: Don Wilhelm [mailto:[email protected]] Sent: Tuesday, July 10, 2018 9:54 AM To: N2TK, Tony <[email protected]>; [email protected]; [email protected] Subject: Re: [Elecraft] Breakers for KPA1500? Tony, While it is possible and safe to use only two wires plug safety ground (Green Wire Ground) for a 240 volt receptacle or 240 volt only device (in-home air conditioner, dryer, etc), it is quite unsafe to split off for a 120 volt supply using one hot and ground - in that case (such as a range that has a 120 volt outlet on it or a 120 volt fan) you MUST run 3 conductors plus ground. The ground wire should never carry current. An inspector would never approve it, and if you value your insurance coverage, don't try it - it will be found after the fire! 73, Don W3FPR On 7/10/2018 7:06 AM, N2TK, Tony wrote: > I do not understand the need for three wires plus ground. For a clothes dryer > outlet a neutral is required to get 110VAC from one of the phases to the > neutral. But for amps you only need both phases and a ground. The plugs are > three wire, not four. > 73, > N2TK, Tony > > -----Original Message----- > From: [email protected] > [mailto:[email protected]] On Behalf Of Jim Brown > Sent: Monday, July 09, 2018 8:40 PM > To: [email protected] > Subject: Re: [Elecraft] Breakers for KPA1500? > > On 7/9/2018 12:26 PM, Bob McGraw K4TAX wrote: >> I would also suggest using three - #10 with ground as the line from >> the breakers to the amp operating position. > > Not only a suggestion -- it's the law! Electrical Codes carry the force of > law, and they require that the equipment ground must 1) run with the current > carrying conductors and 2) must be no smaller than the largest conductor. > > 73, Jim K9YC > > ______________________________________________________________ > Elecraft mailing list > Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft > Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm > Post: mailto:[email protected] > > This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email > list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html Message delivered to > [email protected] > > ______________________________________________________________ > Elecraft mailing list > Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft > Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm > Post: mailto:[email protected] > > This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email > list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html Message delivered to > [email protected] > ______________________________________________________________ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:[email protected] This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html Message delivered to [email protected]
