Safely getting 110 volts from a 3 wire 220 volt conductor

[Bird76Mojo]

water heater dedicated circiut t'ing off is BAD big BAD so no if thats what you are considering just dont

Care to explain why you believe this?

There are literally millions upon millions of industrial machines across the country wired this way and running perfectly. Using the same voltages as well.

 

[thunderuncle244]

table 210.14 specific-purpose branch circuits says that a water heater needs a specific purpose branch circuit. no tapping!

as in like you can be fined for what you are doing besides where you are its probably illegal to do this yourself even the right way

 

[thunderuncle244]

Not advised. And here is why.

1. You're adding load to the original circuit, which was (hopefully) sized properly for the load of the water heater only.

2. Yes, adding a transformer would get you the 120volts. But, you would need to add more than the transformer. Fuses or circuit breaker for the 120volt load side, suitable enclosure, and what about switching to turn it on and off? The original wiring and breaker would need to be upsized to account for the new load. In the industrial systems you mention, everything is properly sized and engineered to do that from the beginning, including all necessary controls and safeties.

3. Somebody is likely to recommend using the ground as a neutral and deriving 120 volts that way. This is bad. It is against code and unsafe. You would be running current on the uninsulated ground conductor. Plus, you would no longer have a dedicated safety ground. Do NOT do it.

I would strongly recommend running a new circuit for your heat tape. Or, add it into an existing 120volt circuit that has little or no load on it, such as a guest bedroom receptacle circuit.

must say you are the man the two things i do are wiring and cars so i can say all this is true!

 

[thunderuncle244]

Not entirely sure what you are recommending. But the answer is definitely "NO".

he is reffering to one of these

https://www.walmart.com/ip/Polarized-E26-Base-Light-Bulb-Socket-Plug-Convert-Any-E26-Socket-into-2-Prong-Outlet-4-Pack/1177292066

 

[Bird76Mojo]

he is reffering to one of these

https://www.walmart.com/ip/Polarized-E26-Base-Light-Bulb-Socket-Plug-Convert-Any-E26-Socket-into-2-Prong-Outlet-4-Pack/1177292066

No, I never suggested using something like that.