When wiring a 120/240 V receptacle, how many hots, neutrals, and grounding conductors are typically connected, and what is the voltage to each hot relative to neutral?

When wiring a 120/240 V receptacle, how many hots, neutrals, and grounding conductors are typically connected, and what is the voltage to each hot relative to neutral?

• A. Two hot conductors, one neutral, two grounding conductors; each hot to neutral is 120 V.
• B. One hot conductor, one neutral, one grounding conductor; hot to neutral is 120 V.
• C. Two hot conductors, one neutral, one grounding conductor; each hot to neutral is 240 V.
• D. Two hot conductors, one neutral, one grounding conductor; each hot to neutral is 120 V.

Answer: (D)

In residential split-phase systems, a 120/240 V receptacle is fed by two hot legs that are 180 degrees out of phase, a neutral, and a grounding conductor. Each hot relative to neutral is 120 V, and the two hots together provide 240 V between them. The neutral carries current for 120 V circuits, while the grounding conductor is a safety path. So the typical wiring includes two hot conductors, one neutral, and one grounding conductor, with each hot to neutral at 120 V.

In residential split-phase systems, a 120/240 V receptacle is fed by two hot legs that are 180 degrees out of phase, a neutral, and a grounding conductor. Each hot relative to neutral is 120 V, and the two hots together provide 240 V between them. The neutral carries current for 120 V circuits, while the grounding conductor is a safety path. So the typical wiring includes two hot conductors, one neutral, and one grounding conductor, with each hot to neutral at 120 V.