Question for the Qualified Electricians here on the forum

[Guest guest]

Okay, In my breaker panel there is a linked 2 breaker setup that was for a kiln (240VAC), which is no longer here and the breakers are not being used.

My question is: Just how easy would this be to convert back to 2 seperate 120VAC breakers so that I could wire in 2 new GFCI outlets for outdoor lighting use (Holiday and non-holiday lighting)?

I have no idea how this was wired, or how it even converts the 120VAC in to 240VAC out, as I've never dealt with this type of breaker or option in a power panel before. Just replaced breakers when needed/required.

I was just wondering if this is something one could do themselves or if I'm going to have to get my uncle (who is an certified electrician) to change this section back to 120VAC, originally it was 2 120VAC breakers, but as it is now being 240VAC, I don't know how easy, or difficult this would be to accomplish.

So I'm asking the qualified electricians here that have may have done this type of 120VAC --> 240VAC conversion and/or reversed it back from the 240VAC --> 120VAC to know what needs to be done and whether I could possibly do it myself.

Any sound advice would be greatly appreciated, then I'll know what I need to do to this, or who to get to do it if it an electrician is needed and required.

Thank you!

[Ken Benedict]

If you can fit the thin style breakers in their place, you can get FOUR 20a circuits. Any pictures?

[Santas Helper]

Orville,

It's simple to change out the one 240 breaker for two 120 breakers but your still dealing with electricity and still have to be careful.

But, you will also need to change out the one outlet for that kiln to "two" seperate 120 outlets. I would get your uncle if he isn't too far away. I'm very experienced in this matter but not sure of your set-up or capabilities to do the change over without some safety concerns of doing it yourself. Unless you feel REAL comfortable of changing the breakers AND the outlets, call the uncle and he might be able to walk you thru it.

Tom

[TitusCarnathan]

you would need to take out the double pole breaker for two sperate 120 volt breakes and if you really want to you could use tandem (double/twin) breakers if your panel is rated for that (your panel shoud have a #space #circuit ratting) then you could have 4 spots

[mixnight]

The 2 linked breakers, they are going to the same outlet like a water heater or the AC machine outlets that use 240v.
Also 2 linked breakers are 120v each. If you don't use 2 linked breakers you could use it for your "Holiday and non-holiday lighting" (Holiday can use one breaker and non-holyday use the other breaker).
But for sure you need to instal a new set of wire for each new circuit: one set of wire for the Holiday and another set of wire for the non-holiday. Those wires are going to the 2 linked breaker or if you have space in your power panel you can instal 2 new breakers and do not do nothing with 2 linked breaker.

This is what I did for my LOR controller:
I installed two separated breaker(20amp each) into my power panel with one set of wire for each breaker and 2 double outlet into the same box as you see in my picture.

In your case could be 1 double outlet for your Holiday and one double outlet for your non-holiday

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[beeiilll]

Well it is fairly easy to change over to 2 seperate circuits - as long as you feel comfortable working on something that can kill you and you can't see it!

I always try to tell people who ask me (I am an electrician by the way) that "if you have to ask how to do it, then you are better off finding someone who knows how to do it" when dealing with electricity.
It does not forgive and you don't get too many chances to make mistakes with it (if any).

[JBullard]

beeiilll wrote:

Well it is fairly easy to change over to 2 seperate circuits - as long as you feel comfortable working on something that can kill you and you can't see it!

I always try to tell people who ask me (I am an electrician by the way) that "if you have to ask how to do it, then you are better off finding someone who knows how to do it" when dealing with electricity.
It does not forgive and you don't get too many chances to make mistakes with it (if any).

Very good advice Bill

[Guest guest]

I have wired electrical outlets and other devices, just have never encountered this set up until now. I am no stranger to electricity, my late father and his late father (my grandfather) were both electricians, so I know some of what I am doing and how to do it.

But I've also been told there could be some kind of "step-up transformer" or some type of "specialty transformer" placed in the circuit that would have to be removed, and something else done to the circuit to drop it down to 120VAC, now whether this is fact or not, I do not know. I've worked with 120VAC circuits many times, mainly just installing outlets, GFCI outlets, Lighting fixtures and wall switches.

I have changed out a bad breaker before. But never redid one where it was 240VAC taking it down to 120 VAC. And hence my question on how difficult or what would need to be done.

If I need to get my Uncle over for this, not a problem, he only lives a couple miles from me.

Here's a combined photo below of the dual breakers (60 amp each) and are the ones circled in purple. Right above the CB photo is the SINGLE outlet they are both wired into as one unit. That is where I'm uncertain of how the CB's are wired, since they are only going into a single outlet and I was told this was a 3 phase circuit.











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[Guest wbottomley]

You better call a professional. With the guess work and assumptions you're making, a heart attack is mild compared to being electrocuted.

[jldavis1969]

Orville wrote:

I have wired electrical outlets and other devices, just have never encountered this set up until now. I am no stranger to electricity, my late father and his late father (my grandfather) were both electricians, so I know some of what I am doing and how to do it.

But I've also been told there could be some kind of "step-up transformer" or some type of "specialty transformer" placed in the circuit that would have to be removed, and something else done to the circuit to drop it down to 120VAC, now whether this is fact or not, I do not know. I've worked with 120VAC circuits many times, mainly just installing outlets, GFCI outlets, Lighting fixtures and wall switches.

I have changed out a bad breaker before. But never redid one where it was 240VAC taking it down to 120 VAC. And hence my question on how difficult or what would need to be done.

If I need to get my Uncle over for this, not a problem, he only lives a couple miles from me.

Here's a combined photo below of the dual breakers (60 amp each) and are the ones circled in purple. Right above the CB photo is the SINGLE outlet they are both wired into as one unit. That is where I'm uncertain of how the CB's are wired, since they are only going into a single outlet and I was told this was a 3 phase circuit.

Orville: seeing the pic now I would have your uncle come over and have him add a sub-panel in place of that plug then you could have a slew of extra plugs for controllers just from that one circuit. Also if you do have him help ask him to walk you through the install so that you can understand how it works.

[evan.a]

there was a fire a few weeks ago in Wilmington, a guy was doing his own electric sub panel. burned half of his house down.
learn from other people's expense. hire someone with a license.

[Guest guest]

Orville wrote:

I have wired electrical outlets and other devices, just have never encountered this set up until now. I am no stranger to electricity, my late father and his late father (my grandfather) were both electricians, so I know some of what I am doing and how to do it.

But I've also been told there could be some kind of "step-up transformer" or some type of "specialty transformer" placed in the circuit that would have to be removed, and something else done to the circuit to drop it down to 120VAC, now whether this is fact or not, I do not know. I've worked with 120VAC circuits many times, mainly just installing outlets, GFCI outlets, Lighting fixtures and wall switches.

I have changed out a bad breaker before. But never redid one where it was 240VAC taking it down to 120 VAC. And hence my question on how difficult or what would need to be done.

If I need to get my Uncle over for this, not a problem, he only lives a couple miles from me.

Here's a combined photo below of the dual breakers (60 amp each) and are the ones circled in purple. Right above the CB photo is the SINGLE outlet they are both wired into as one unit. That is where I'm uncertain of how the CB's are wired, since they are only going into a single outlet and I was told this was a 3 phase circuit.

Definitely have your uncle do it, assuming he's a licensed electrician.

Your unsuredness, and your thinking there may be a transformer involved (doubtful) suggests this is one best left to a professional the first time.

You'll likely be surprised how simple it is as to how you wire 240V circuits versus 120V, but like others have said...if you make a bad enough mistake, there are no "do overs"...

[-klb-]

I agree, seek local qualified help.

I also agree, you have an opportunity to either replace that outlet with a sub panel with at least 6 20A circuits, possibly more, or make a
panel that plugs in there.

[Guest guest]

Thanks guys. I am actually going to have my uncle come over and take a look at it. And yes, he is a "licensed electrician and owns his own business".

Probably have him do as some of you have suggested and have him install a subpanel from that outlet and add some outdoor outlets from the new subpanel.

I wouldn't touch this myself without some professional help doing the work and I just watch and learn what and how it is done. This is something I have not enoountered before and feel that my best bet is to get my uncle involved in this aspect.

I just wanted to check with the folks here that do this for a living, I'd much rather be safe than sorry, so that's why I asked BEFORE I even attempted to do anything with the current breaker set up.

Much thanks folks, will be contacting my uncle and see what he'll charge me to do the work I need done.

[Ken Benedict]

While you uncle (or another professional) is in there, mount some GFIs in boxes on the wall so you are ready to go for next season.

[Guest guest]

Ken Benedict wrote:

While you uncle (or another professional) is in there, mount some GFIs in boxes on the wall so you are ready to go for next season.

Plan on mounting several GFCI's along (under) the house eaves as well as a few along the walls along the front of the house for next years display. But we'll see how it goes before I get too involved in adding all those GFCI's. I will probably just show my uncle what I want and see what he'll charge me to just install everything where I want it. I need to also install several GFCI's out in the backyard and at the back of the house for some ambient lighting and a stream/pond I'll be putting in back there as well.