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(This might be more of a DIY question, if you think so I will gladly move it there)

I recently moved to the US and intend to use some of my 230 V appliances on "native" 240 V here in the US, for which the outlet should be NEMA 6-15 or 6-20. Since I don't want to rewire every appliance or use many adapters, I was thinking about rewiring existing power strips (example), which are rated 16 A, with a suitable NEMA plug (6-15). Unfortunately the plugs on these are molded on, but after giving up a short section of cable I should be able to identify the ground wire easily (green/yellow color-coding or by measuring continuity with ground contacts); the "hot" and "neutral" wires should not matter since both outlet wires are "hot" here in the US.

Since the power strip is only rated at 16 A (not that I plan on ever drawing anything near that), breaker and outlet should be rated for 15 A, and the correct outlet and plug to be used would be NEMA 6-15.

Is there anything else I have to consider? Are there any legal restrictions in Virginia that you are aware of that might make this unfeasible?

Glorfindel
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Raketenolli
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2 Answers2

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That is fine. Use strips that have an NRTL marking such as UL, TUV, BSI, etc.

You can also hunt flea markets and garage sales for older metal US power strips which use standard receptacles, and change those receptacles to NEMA 6-15, which use the same form-factor.

As far as wiring your home, you cannot delete or convert any of the mandatory 120V outlets. Every 12 feet (3.6m) along walls, every 4' (1.2m) along kitchen countertops, the mandatory laundry and garage receptacles, the refrigerant pump socket next to the outside heat pump* unit, etc. etc. There's quite a list.

However, as long as those mandatory 120V receptacles are provided, you can install as many 240V receptacles as you please. 240V NEMA 6-15 and 6-20 receptacles use the exact same wire and hardware as 120V.

You are allowed and welcome to install 20A/240V circuits using NEMA 6-20 receptacles. Note they are double-keyed so they will accept 6-15 plugs, and that is fine.

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Harper - Reinstate Monica
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You won't have a neutral, but as the Schuko plug is not polarised that probably doesn't matter.

the voltage will be 240 instead of 220, but that should be withing the acceptable range of the appliance.

The frequency will be wrong, but that will only effect appliances that use the frequency for timekeeping or speed regulation. this is unlikely to be catastrophic.

Legal, probably. acceptable to your insurance company, probably not.

Jasen
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