Answers to Electrical Questions About Converting a Band Saw to 220 Volts, Installing New Bathroom Circuits and Changing a Dryer Receptacle

August 10, 2008

Question mark C. Jerry Walker asks:
Where do I find a 60 watt 220 volt light bulb? I bought a band saw. I changed the motor from 110 volts to 220 volts. At 110, it pulled 15 amps, at 220 it pulls 7 1/2 amps. However there is a work light attached to the saw and it says to use a 60 watt bulb. Since I have change to 220, I need a bulb rated for 220 volts. Is there a way to rewire the switch from 220 and make the light 110 again?

Answer:
I would try a hardware store, a home improvement store or an electrical supply house. Regular incandescent lamps rated for 220 volts are not cheap and they are difficult to find because they are very uncommon.

I highly recommend having a licensed or qualified electrician look at the saw before you use it. Changing a piece of equipment from 110 volts to 220 volts is usually not as simple as changing the motor leads. On a band saw, there are also control and safety circuits that need to be looked at.

I would also abandon the existing light on the saw and install a new light where your band saw is. You can mount a fluorescent light above the saw or a flood light with a spot lamp somewhere near the saw so you can direct the light where needed. The easiest solution would be to use a portable light.

Colleen asks:
I am pretty handy and trying to figure out if my electrical needs are something I can learn about and tackle on my own. We are fixing up a bathroom which currently has a light switch and one plug within the same outlet. We want to add an exhaust fan and convert the outlet to GFCI. This current switch/plug is wired onto the same circuit as three other lights and three other outlets in three other rooms. Clearly it needs to be put onto its own circuit, and I believe the GFCI also has to be on its own separate circuit, correct? How do you remove part of what is on a circuit and move it to another? Thanks for your time.

Answer:
The lighting does not need to be on a dedicated circuit, but the GFCI does. If you have a 2-gang box, then simply remove the existing receptacle and wire nut the wire. Then install a new dedicated circuit for the GFCI receptacle. You may also use the lighting circuit to control your new exhaust fan. The easiest way is to use the single pole switch to control the fan and lights. Or remove the single pole switch and replace it with a single pole stack switch. A stack switch is 2 single pole switches stacked on top of each other and it only takes up a single space in your outlet box.

If you only have a single gang box, then remove the existing box and enlarge the opening to accept a 2-gang or 3-gang box.

Ken Crawford asks:
I have new 4 wire dyer. I need to know how replace wall receptacle. I have 3 wires where do thay go on the receptacle. Do You have a diagram on this?

Answer:
You can’t do this. If you wish to upgrade the receptacle, then you need to install a new 10/3 with ground NM cable (romex). For a 4-wire receptacle to work safely, you need 4-wires. If the receptacle is existing, then you are permitted to leave it and change your dryer cord.

Please see my “How to” article How To Change a 4 Prong Electric Dryer Power Cord To a 3 Prong Electric Power Cord for step by step instructions with pictures.

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Written by Wayne Gilchrist · Filed Under Electrical Installations & Repairs

Comments

2 Responses to “Answers to Electrical Questions About Converting a Band Saw to 220 Volts, Installing New Bathroom Circuits and Changing a Dryer Receptacle”

brendon drake on September 30th, 2008 6:42 am

My bandsaw is a “general” 2HP 220/110 V. I have changed the motor to 220v. The supplier says no need to replace the cord and/or switch to accommodate the 220v conversion. Is that correct?
Anna on June 11th, 2009 7:31 am

I have moved from New York to Geneva. We sold most of our electrical appliances before moving with the exception of a few, including a gorgeous lamp we have. In New York they operate on 120V while here it is 220V. What do I have to do to be able to run my lamp safely and effectively. Someone just told me to change the plug shape, but I can’t believe it is that simple??

Thanks for any help you can offer.
A

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