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    plowe11's Avatar
    plowe11 Posts: 10, Reputation: 1
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    #1

    Jun 30, 2012, 11:06 AM
    How do you replace a 20 amp outlet with a standard outlet
    I have a 20 amp outlet I found in the bsmnt of the home I just bought. Iwas wondering if I coud change this to a standard 15 mp outlet ? So I can plug in a dehumidifer. Not sure what this plug was used for but a standard plug will not fit into outlet
    deville p's Avatar
    deville p Posts: 78, Reputation: 5
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    #2

    Jun 30, 2012, 11:14 AM
    First kill the power to the outlet.
    plowe11's Avatar
    plowe11 Posts: 10, Reputation: 1
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    #3

    Jun 30, 2012, 11:21 AM
    Quote Originally Posted by deville p View Post
    First kill the power to the outlet.
    OK I know that was just wondering if it safe to replace since its on a larger breaker.
    deville p's Avatar
    deville p Posts: 78, Reputation: 5
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    #4

    Jun 30, 2012, 11:22 AM
    Quote Originally Posted by deville p View Post
    First kill the power to the outlet.
    Take cover off. How many wires do you see and what color are they? You got to make sure power is off. Are familiar with electric at all?
    plowe11's Avatar
    plowe11 Posts: 10, Reputation: 1
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    #5

    Jun 30, 2012, 11:29 AM
    Quote Originally Posted by deville p View Post
    Take cover off. How many wires do you see and what color are they? You got to make sure power is off. Are familiar with electric at all?
    Yes I am I've changed outlets before just not familiar with the outlet that's 20 amp.
    plowe11's Avatar
    plowe11 Posts: 10, Reputation: 1
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    #6

    Jun 30, 2012, 11:59 AM
    Quote Originally Posted by plowe11 View Post
    yes i am ive changed outlets before just not familiar with the outlet thats 20 amp.
    Black white brown
    deville p's Avatar
    deville p Posts: 78, Reputation: 5
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    #7

    Jun 30, 2012, 12:09 PM
    Quote Originally Posted by plowe11 View Post
    black white brown
    What size breaker is it on. It should be OK
    deville p's Avatar
    deville p Posts: 78, Reputation: 5
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    #8

    Jun 30, 2012, 12:11 PM
    Quote Originally Posted by deville p View Post
    What size breaker is it on. It should be ok
    Swap it our don't turn it on yet
    plowe11's Avatar
    plowe11 Posts: 10, Reputation: 1
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    #9

    Jun 30, 2012, 12:21 PM
    [QUOTE=deville p;3175355]Swap it our don't turn it on yet[/QUOT
    A double breaker looks like 20 amp standard breaker
    deville p's Avatar
    deville p Posts: 78, Reputation: 5
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    #10

    Jun 30, 2012, 12:35 PM
    [QUOTE=plowe11;3175369]
    Quote Originally Posted by deville p View Post
    Swap it our don't turn it on yet[/QUOT
    a double breaker looks like 20 amp standard breaker
    the wires on the breaker are they on one breaker are both breakers?you only need one breaker.
    stanfortyman's Avatar
    stanfortyman Posts: 5,598, Reputation: 279
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    #11

    Jun 30, 2012, 12:58 PM
    A 20A receptacle is dual rated 15A. You can plug in any standard plug.

    Now, you say double breaker? Is this a 240v receptacle or 120v?
    plowe11's Avatar
    plowe11 Posts: 10, Reputation: 1
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    #12

    Jun 30, 2012, 01:23 PM
    Stratmando's Avatar
    Stratmando Posts: 11,188, Reputation: 508
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    #13

    Jun 30, 2012, 01:26 PM
    Sounds like it is 240 volts, you need to reidentify each end of one wire with white tape, place on neutral bar and hot on a single pole breaker.
    Verify Voltages.
    plowe11's Avatar
    plowe11 Posts: 10, Reputation: 1
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    #14

    Jun 30, 2012, 01:42 PM
    It is a 240 volts
    plowe11's Avatar
    plowe11 Posts: 10, Reputation: 1
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    #15

    Jun 30, 2012, 01:43 PM
    20 amp 240volts outlet I want to change it to a standard outlet
    deville p's Avatar
    deville p Posts: 78, Reputation: 5
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    #16

    Jun 30, 2012, 02:24 PM
    Quote Originally Posted by plowe11 View Post
    20 amp 240volts outlet i wanna change it to a standard outlet
    Did you figure it out. We can start over and explain again if we need. We now know what you have and what you want to do.
    plowe11's Avatar
    plowe11 Posts: 10, Reputation: 1
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    #17

    Jun 30, 2012, 04:18 PM
    Quote Originally Posted by deville p View Post
    Did you figure it out. We can start over and explain again if we need. We now know what you have and what you want to do.
    I didn't change it .so ill need to rewire the breaker first and only use the one side? Correct
    deville p's Avatar
    deville p Posts: 78, Reputation: 5
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    #18

    Jun 30, 2012, 04:31 PM
    Quote Originally Posted by plowe11 View Post
    i didnt change it .so ill need to rewire the breaker first and only use the one side? correct
    The correct way would be to replace the breakers and put 2 single breakers but only use one
    ma0641's Avatar
    ma0641 Posts: 15,675, Reputation: 1012
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    #19

    Jun 30, 2012, 04:55 PM
    Sounds like you have a 240 volt outlet if you have 2 breakers. You cannot install a standard 15 amp 120 volt outlet without rewiring at the panel.
    creahands's Avatar
    creahands Posts: 2,854, Reputation: 195
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    #20

    Jun 30, 2012, 07:08 PM
    Welcome plowe11,

    The outlet and breaker u described sound like a 20 amp 220/240 volt breaker.

    Remove breaker from panel box and replace with a 15 amp or 20 amp breaker.

    Attach the black wire to breaker and white wire to neutral bar.
    Cap brown wire.

    At outlet attach black wire to brass screw and white wire to silver screw. Cap brown wire.

    U should be good to go.

    Chuck
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