[Hammerhead]

OK guys I have a question concerning the power cord for our ballasts. When you run 240v you need to use 240v cord that has a different male end then the 120v version. My question is are these cables the same except for the different male end connection???. I looked at some pics and the look identical in size and material. I cant find any specs on them..

[Private Joker]

I think you are correct. I have used the same SO cable to make both 120 and 240 volt cords. They all worked properly. Just make sure the gauge of wire is ok for the amps you are pulling.

[Hammerhead]

thats why Im asking. The ballast are 2.75a 240v The cord should be rated for at least 15a. I think its fine to just use the 120v power cord. I just cut off the male end and replaced it with a 240v 15a male plug.. I could not see a reason to purchase new ones with the 240v end. I just went to HD and bought the male ends for 4.98 ea...

yes. just different configuration for safety's sake. Square peg in a round hole kinda deal.

[Hammerhead]

Ya im finding allot of code violations in many of the lighting control boxes and power cords for ballast. I just got done rebuilding the entire box I got. The vendor used the cheapest parts and wrong amperage rating for wires and receptacle's.. He had 240v 15a hooked up to the 30a breaker.


When I started the upgrade I used 8-4 main power line to run this controller. So I had 40a to work with.. After inspecting the box. I could not use the 30a breaker he had installed all of the wire was 12g coming out of the 30a breaker. Then it went to 240v 15a receptacle's..

I took the whole thing apart and started from scratch. The only pats I reused was the relay. It is good for 40a.. To be safe I bought new 10g and replaced the 30a breakers with 2 20a breakers.

One of the breakers is used on the trigger/relay so I have 4 outlets @240v 20a going to the new 6-20 receptacle's and 2 120v 20a with new 15-20 receptacle's these are all on the trigger. There is 2 more outlets on that breaker thats constant..

The other 20a breaker goes to 4 5-20 for the a/c to use.. All of my equipment will now plug into this one controller. So now you can not plug a 120v into a 240v or 240v into a 120v.. There is one double Ivory color that still needs to be repalced that one is only a 15a so im using small stuff like fans and pumps on it...Its as safe as I can make it..

If anyone has question I will do my best to try and explain...

Im happy to see it up to snuff, better to be safe than sorry.

[Tactician]

Originally Posted by Hammerhead

Ya im finding allot of code violations in many of the lighting control boxes and power cords for ballast. I just got done rebuilding the entire box I got. The vendor used the cheapest parts and wrong amperage rating for wires and receptacle's.. He had 240v 15a hooked up to the 30a breaker.

Is that a unit from dxhydro, doesn't surprise me you found used parts inside and wrong size wire.

I know a guy who builds controllers that are 100% safe, reliable, and built to exceed NEC/CEC requirements.

[Hammerhead]

There was no used parts just the wrong size. It's not hard to bulid these and make them safe...

[Cartel530]

yes you can use them. cut the end off a 120v and put a 240v end on it. good to go

[Hammerhead]

thaks friend your a bit late to this party Thanks anyway