electrical question

[space-time]

friend has a 240V outlet in the garage, which is hooked directly to the panel to a 20A circuit. There is a Ground wire (Green) and 2 live wires (120V each), Red and Black. There is no neutral wire.

He needs a 120V outlet, so he wants to leave the ground (Green) and one of the Live wires (Black) as is, and disconnect the other live wire (Red) from the 120V/20A circuit breaker and use as a Neutral wire. Of course he would change the outlet from a 240V style outlet to a normal 120V/20A outlet.

Is this possible, and if it is possible, he would probably get the local township inspector to approve it. he would like to avoid paying an electrician who quoted $299 for this job. I told him to make sure he at least gets the electrical permit done right.

[OWC Jamie]

[raz]

$300 seems a bit high to me. When I needed to do the same thing, it was a matter of replacing the circuit breaker in the box with a 120 volt one. Fortunately, my handyman neighbor walked me through the process. After that, rewiring the outlet was something I could handle alone.

[Filliam H. Muffman]

I wouldn't expect it to require an electrical permit if it's done by the homeowner, but local/state laws might be different in your area. It's been a while since a friend/relative had an outlet installed, but anything over $250 is pretty steep since it's a 20 minute job and it sounds like the only materials are a breaker and an outlet. If a permit is required, and the electrician has to go to the building department to file and schedule an inspection, it's a little more reasonable.

[C(-)ris]

Filliam H. Muffman wrote:
I wouldn't expect it to require an electrical permit if it's done by the homeowner, but local/state laws might be different in your area. It's been a while since a friend/relative had an outlet installed, but anything over $250 is pretty steep since it's a 20 minute job and it sounds like the only materials are a breaker and an outlet. If a permit is required, and the electrician has to go to the building department to file and schedule an inspection, it's a little more reasonable.

Depends on the area. Here in my neck of WI the government has overstepped its bounds and requires that ANY work get a permit. I can't even replace a faucet or add an outlet legally without a permit and a certified electrician.

[space-time]

This friend is in PA (I live in NJ). I don't know the local codes in PA.

I can't even replace a faucet ... legally without a permit

That is just crazy.

[freeradical]

Inspections generate revenue...

[Speedy]

He needs to change the breaker. Then he can do what he wants as far as keeping one wire hot, one neutral (to the neutral bar in the panel) and one wire ground (to the ground bar in the panel).

[cbelt3]

What Speedy said. The usual code question is:
1- Does the wire gauge meet or exceed the requirements for the amperage of the circuit (factored by wire size and also length of the run).
2- Do the breaker and outlet match ? (20 amp breaker and 15 amp outlet, no no no..)

[PeterW]

If your friend goes ahead and does the work and, God forbid, there is a fire, the insurance company will point to the work done without a permit and by a non-licensed electrician as the reason they do not have to pay the claim.