I just bought a used, "through the wall" air conditioner. The unit is 208/230V with 6.5/6.9 Amps. The plug for the AC unit, however, is a three-prong (B) plug with one circular (ground) and two horizontal prongs (unlike the normal B plug with two vertical prong next to each other) and does not fit into the wall outlet near the AC unit.

However, the wall outlet has room for a plug with one vertical and one horizontal prong. In addition, the circuit breaker in my apt that controls that outlet is a double circuit breaker which says 20 amps on it.

I bought an adapter to so I could fit the AC plug into the wall. Now, the electronic display for the AC unit will turn on, but the actual unit won't run. I know that the unit works (seen prior owners use it before I bought it), so I'm not sure what I have to do to make it work given the set up I have. I need help please!

What is the color code of the cables in the original power plug?
This may be caused by a swop of the neutral and earth wires in that plug , combined with a poor earth...

:)

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Originally Posted by Credendovidis

What is the color code of the cables in the original power plug?
This may be caused by a swop of the neutral and earth wires in that plug , combined with a poor earth ...

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There is NO neutral in 230/240v circuits in the US. :rolleyes:

Quote:

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Originally Posted by lukeelna

I bought an adapter to so I could fit the AC plug into the wall.

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You bought an adapter?? For a 240v circuit?
Where did you find this??

This is an apartment. You MUST NOT do any electrical work there. If there is an issue with the wiring or receptacles you must have the landlord get an electrician to fix it.

I agree with Stan!
Sounds like you have a nema 6-15 male plug
You will need a nema 6-15R female receptacle.

Yet, check with the manufacture for more accurate information.

Wondering about the 2 pole 20A? I believe they have a nema 6 20R t-slot receptacle, but I do not know if it will work with your cord??

Oh well, seeing that this is an apartment, this changes the story. Do you own this apartment?

Thanks everyone for the help. From looking at pictures online, it does indeed look like I have a nema 6-15 male plug for the AC unit. It also appears that the female wall plug is a 5-20. I was guess I was confused because the circuit breaker was 2 pole, which I thought (in my limited knowledge) was typically used for 220V or greater.

So, what you are saying is that it sounds like I will have to get an electrician in to change the wiring and outlet to support the required voltage?

Exactly.

That IS a 120v/20A receptacle you have there. I truly suspect you do not have a two-pole breaker either. I bet it is a twin breaker; OR it is part of a multi-wire branch circuit (shared neutral) and they did use a two-pole breaker for safety reasons.

The plug defines what supply voltage / amperage you need. If you have conduit in your apartment it's possible to change the outlet to the correct one, pull new wires and or rewire the circuit and provide the proper breaker Hope you got a deal on the air conditioner. Something you shouldn't do yourself as Stanfortyman has already said... unless of course you own the property and have the required skill.

Best of luck