I'm trying to run a 600W 60Hz 240V 3A Ballast upstairs in my house. I bought a 20A, grounding, single, 250V single Receptacle and installed. The ballast humm's and you can hear it's on, but the 600W light will not come on. I have taken all equipment and everything runs fine so I know it's the outlet. I am far from an electrician so then might sound like a two year olds explanation. I went to the circuit breaker to find the one that turns that room on and off. THey all look like they each have two legs and come in pairs. The room it's on is only one switch. Does this cut the power from 240V to 120V and that's why my ballast won't power up fully. I would really appreciate any help. It's Sunday and I'd really like to get this problem knocked out. Thanks you again.
Update: I think my house runs on 120V. How can I make an outlet supply 240V?

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Originally Posted by bonny55

I'm trying to run a 600W 60Hz 240V 3A Ballast upstairs in my house. I bought a 20A, grounding, single, 250V single Receptacle and installed. The ballast humm's and you can hear it's on, but the 600W light will not come on. I have taken all equipment and everything runs fine so I know it's the outlet. I am far from an electrician so then might sound like a two year olds explanation. I went to the circuit breaker to find the one that turns that room on and off. THey all look like they each have two legs and come in pairs. The room it's on is only one switch. Does this cut the power from 240V to 120V and thats why my ballast won't power up fully. I would really apprieciate any help. It's Sunday and I'd really like to get this problem knocked out. Thanks you again.
Update: I think my house runs on 120V. How can I make an outlet supply 240V?

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First thing,do you have a VOLT METER/TESTER, on your appliances,electronics what do they said on the voltage requirement ? Are you in the USA?

Bonny,
I also ask. Are you in the US or the UK?

Please don't tell me you just replaced a 120v receptacle with a 250v one and thought it would work. :rolleyes:

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Originally Posted by stanfortyman

Bonny,
I also ask. Are you in the US or the UK?

Please don't tell me you just replaced a 120v receptacle with a 250v one and thought it would work. :rolleyes:

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I like in California, US
I did just replace the receptacle with a 250V. I am as far from an electrician as it gets. When I turned on the ballast it would humm normally, but the light wouldn't come on. That's when I thought it might be my hood, but it all worked normal at a garden shop. Is there a way I can get a converter for my receptacle to draw the 240V required or do I have to have another line installed or something? What would be the cost of both options assuming they would work? Thank you for your help thus far. Any more help is greatly appreciated.

I really do have to say WOW in that case. I don't mean to sound rude but that was NOT a smart thing to do. For many reasons and on several levels.

Why can't you simply get a 120v appliance??

If you can't then no, there is no easy "converter", you will need to have a 240v line run.

This appliance is very expensive and replacing it would mean much higher costs. The problem is that I need the appliance at various locations so I would have this problem elsewhere if I couldn't convert the voltage somehow.