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What does 120vac or 240vac mean?

Updated: 8/10/2023
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16y ago

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v = volts a = alternating c = current vac is what the lights and appliances in your house use. Your TV uses 120VAC and your dryer or electric stove uses 240vac. 120vac is the accepted standard of electric current commonly used through out the U>S>. Vac speaks of ac or alternating current voltage. 240 volts is simply twice that amount. Electric lights, lighter appliances mostly use 120 volts to energize them but heavier duty appliances such as dryers required more voltage as they use more energy. Vac or alternating current as oppose to DC(Direct current )which is normally used on boats, ships, etc.

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16y ago
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14y ago

Most homes have a 240 volt supply that is center-tapped at the distribution transformer. The center tap is neutral and is also grounded. Each leg is hot. The voltage from neutral to either leg is 120 volts. The voltage between legs is 240 volts. Each leg, measured to neutral, is 180 degrees out of phase with respect to each other. This is still considered single-phase power. Sometimes, the term split-phase is used. Do not call it two phase, or partial three phase, because the phase angle is 180 degrees instead of 120 degrees. The advantage of 120 / 240 power is that you can connect normal loads (such as lights) from neutral to hot, and run them on 120 volts, while connecting larger loads (such as clothes dryers and ranges) from hot to hot, and run them on 240 volts. In an ideal configuration, the current on one leg is balanced to the current on the other leg. This results in zero or near zero current on neutral, and allows the distribution transformer to operate more efficiently.

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12y ago

If it says 120/240 or 120-240 VAC or something similar then the indication is that it can operate at either voltage. There maybe a requirement to install or remove jumpers or a rewiring may be required. Check the manual.

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15y ago

120 VAC means 120 Volts Alternative Current. You may also find VDC which mean Volts Direct Current

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11y ago

Ummm yes ? If your talking about a wall outlet yes you can have 120v dc but not at an outlet

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Q: What does 120vac or 240vac mean?
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What is the voltage rating for 240VAC?

240 volts alternating current (240vac)


How do you convert 120VAC 60Hz to 208 230 1 Phase?

you need a step up transformer


How many 120VAC single-phase output receptacles does a 25kW Power Distribution panel have?

If you are referring to the 25KW Power Distribution Panel used by the military, NSN: 6110-01-244-3209, there are four 120VAC, 20A circuit breakers and four corresponding twist lock receptacles.


What are advantages power supply in computer?

The power supply converts the high voltage (e.g. 120VAC in US, 240VAC in Europe) alternating current house electricity supply down to the various different low voltage direct current supplies needed by different devices that make up the computer. These low voltage direct current supplies are tightly regulated in the power supply circuitry to prevent transients in the house electric supply from perturbing the computer's electronics as well as to compensate for variations in power demand as the different devices that make up the computer operate.


Can you use a 480VAC step down transformer and apply 120VAC to the primary?

In theory, you can. If you have a power transformer rated at 480 primary side and the secondary at say 120VAC, then the ratio is 4:1. Meaning that there are four times the number of turns on the primary side as to the secondary. So, if you were to power the primary side with 120VAC as opposed to 480VAC you would expect to see a 1/4 reduction in voltage output on the secondary, or 30VAC. The current would be dependant on the cross section of the secondary conductor and core construction. As current is increased thru the load (as in resistance welding) for example, you would expect voltage to decrease or lag, a larger Industrial sized transformer is able to compensate for this lag in voltage better than a compact household power transformer.

Related questions

How much voltage is required to run a 5 gallon compressor?

A small unit like that will most likely be 120vac. If you check the motor it may be 120/ 240vac, meaning that by changing wiring in motor, you have a choice of voltages. lc


What is the voltage rating for 240VAC?

240 volts alternating current (240vac)


Do you plug into 120 or 240 on your generator for home use?

In the U.S. the normal voltage for appliances (refrigerators, washing machines, lamps, microwaves, computers, televisions, etc.) is 120vac. Such things as air conditioners, electric ranges, electric clothes dryers, etc. use 240vac.


What is the cost difference to operate a 240 VAC motor versus 120 VAC motor.?

Sadly, there's no simple answer to this question. The only advantage of 120VAC that it's the standard in the US and Canada, so it's easy to find outlets, extension cords, and plugs, as long as you need less than 15 amps (about 2 horsepower). The same current flowing at 240VAC delivers twice the power that it would at 120VAC; so for equivalent power, 240VAC requires half the amperage. This lets you use smaller cheaper wires, and for a given wire size reduces the resistive heating in the wire. For these reasons, electricity-hungry appliances like electric water heaters, electric ovens, and big power tools are usually 240VAC. Surprisingly, other than perhaps a few percent reduction in resistive heating, you won't save any money on your electrical utility bill by switching to 240VAC. This is because you get charged by power used, not current used. When considering a new power tool, the downside of 240VAC is you often need a special branch line and outlet, which normally needs to be installed by an electrician, and may even require an upgrade to the house's electrical service. And your equipment will need special plugs, since there is no single standard 240VAC plug. The upside is lower resistive heating in the cord, and the ability to deliver up to tens of horsepower.


What does 120 mean?

v = volts a = alternating c = current vac is what the lights and appliances in your house use. Your TV uses 120VAC. 120vac is the accepted standard of electric current commonly used through out the U>S>. Vac speaks of ac or alternating current voltage.


What does VAC mean?

v = volts a = alternating c = current vac is what the lights and appliances in your house use. Your TV uses 120VAC. 120vac is the accepted standard of electric current commonly used through out the U>S>. Vac speaks of ac or alternating current voltage.


Why neutral is required?

Neutral is the current return for the hot leg(s). Neutral is grounded, so as to limit the maximum voltage of any of the hots with respect to earth ground. In a typical residential 120/240VAC split phase system, either of the hots with respect to neutral is 120VAC. In a three phase system, neutral is at the center of the wye configuration, and each of the three hots returns power to it.


What does 120 vac mean?

v = volts a = alternating c = current vac is what the lights and appliances in your house use. Your TV uses 120VAC. 120vac is the accepted standard of electric current commonly used through out the U>S>. Vac speaks of ac or alternating current voltage.


What does 120VUC stand for?

120VUC means 120VAC/DC


What plug do you need for canada and america?

3 prong 120vac


What is wire size for 5 amp 120VAC load?

AWG # 14


How can i make a winding of a transformer of an inverter of 12vDC to 240vAc?

850va 12vdc inverter transformer praemari tans