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FAQs

FAQs

How does the Quick 220® Power Supply work?
The Quick 220® power supply technically uses fact that 220-240 volts AC is supplied to most residences.  The 220-240 volts is divided into two 110-120 volt halves, called phases, for distribution within the building.  Using standard 110-120 volt outlets and the Quick 220®  system, the user can quickly identify and connect to the separated 110-120 volt halves of the original 220-240, restoring the 220-240 volt AC option without adding new electrical circuits or wiring to the building.

How do I use the Quick 220® Power Supply?

  • First, connect one of the Quick 220® Power Supply cords to a standard 110–120 volt outlet.  
  • Next, connect the second power cord from the Quick 220 Power Supply to a 110–120 volt outlet that is on a different phase, using an extension cord if necessary.  The "220-240 VOLTS" lamp will illuminate when you have the right outlet; if it doesn't illuminate, try a different outlet. 
  • 220-240 volts is now available at the 220-240 volt outlet on the Quick 220® Power Supply.  Plug in your 208–240 volt equipment and use it. 

Can I use a Quick 220® Power Supply with GFCI, GFI, or AFCI protected outlets?
The short answer to this question is "no". A Quick 220® System will turn off a GFCI, GFI, or AFCI protected outlet.  This is not a safety issue.  It just means that one can't get power from these outlets. (GFCI = ground fault circuit interrupter, GFI = ground fault interrupter,  AFCI = arc fault circuit interrupter)

What do I need to know about the 20 ampere plugs on the Quick 220 Power Supply?

  • The Quick 220® Power Supply’s 20 ampere versions come with 20 ampere 110-120 volt plugs, shown below.  Adapter cords are available so the 20 ampere versions may be used with 15 ampere outlets.  These adapters are rated for loads of 15 amperes or less.  (NEMA = National Electrical Manufacturers Association)
 15 A vs. 20 A
15 A         20 A
(NEMA 5-15)   (NEMA 5-20)
110/120 Volt Plugs

 

  • The 3-prong outlet commonly found in homes is rated at 15 amperes even though the circuit may be 20 amperes.  The 20 ampere outlet is commonly found in commercial buildings; one of the slots is shaped like a "T" to accept both 15 and 20 ampere plugs.  Here is a diagram showing the blade configuration of a 20-ampere outlet:
NEMA 5-20R
NEMA 5-20R
  • Use of the 20 amperes plug with the 20 ampere Quick 220® Power Supply is necessary to meet electrical standards. 

What size extension cords should I use?
Use heavy duty, 12-3 AWG extension cords with 3 prong plugs for equipment loads over 13 amperes.  For 13 amperes or less, 16-3 AWG extension cords will do the job.  These are available at most hardware and home centers.  (AWG = American Wire Gauge)

How much power can I draw from the 208–240 volt outlet on the Quick 220 Power Supply?

  • The Quick 220® Power Supply will supply 15 or 20 amperes, depending upon the model selected.
  • If your equipment is rated in watts, 15 amperes at 240 volts is the same as 3600 watts and 20 amperes at 240 volts is the same as 4800 watts.
  • For the 15 ampere (3600 watt) systems, momentary loads of 75 amperes or 18,000 watts can be supported.  For the 20 ampere (4800 watt) systems, the momentary load is 100 amperes (24,000 watts).  Momentary loads are often encountered when starting motors or when powering up electronic equipment. 
  • One cannot draw more current (amperes) from the wall outlet than its circuit breaker or fuse rating.  This includes the current required by your 220/240-volt load plus any 110/120-volt item which may share the same circuit:  lamps, stereos, hair dryers, etc.  It may be necessary to disconnect the lamps, stereos, hair dryers, etc., if you trip a circuit breaker and need to reset it.

How much power does the Quick 220® Power Supply consume in converting 110/120 volts to 208/240 volts?
Power consumption to operate the Quick 220® Power Supply is 8 watts under no load.

The total actual power consumption is the power required by your 220/240-volt equipment plus 8 watts.  For example, your equipment consumes 2000 watts, plus 8 watts for the Quick 220 Power Supply, is a total of 2008 watts.

Safety?
To protect people and equipment, the Quick 220® Power Supply's automatic safety interlock blocks all power to the 220–240 volt outlet until electrical connections are complete and correct.  Should one of the cords become disconnected or lose power, all powered connections to the 220–240 volt outlet are immediately and simultaneously disconnected, including the exposed power cord.  Internal test circuits are employed to assure wiring, polarity, and output voltage are correct.  Safety circuits can be checked by listening to the Quick 220® Power Supply at the time it is connected to 110–120-volt power; it will quietly "click" if safety circuits are operating.

Intertek Seal

The Quick 220® Power Supply conforms to the safety requirements of UL Standard 1012 and CSA Standard C22.2 No. 107.1. It has been independently tested to this these standards by Intertek and has earned the right to bear the Intertek Listed Mark. Intertek is a Nationally Recognized Testing Laboratory (NRTL), recognized by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) for this testing.

How large is the Quick 220®  Power Supply?
About 6.5 inches wide by 5 inches deep by 3 inches high.  It weighs less than 4 pounds.  

How do I connect to the Quick 220® Power Supply?
15 Ampere Models are supplied with two 6-foot power cords with standard 3 prong, NEMA 5-15, 110–120 volt plugs.  A standard 3 wire extension cord will probably be necessary to reach the second independent circuit outlet.  The 208–240 volt appliance is plugged directly into the Quick 220 Power Supply.

20 Ampere Models are supplied with two 6-foot power cords with 20 ampere, NEMA 5-20 plugs.  NEMA 5-20 outlets are commonly found in commercial buildings and can be identified by a "T" shaped blade slot.  25-foot, 20 ampere extension cords with NEMA 5-20 male and female connectors is available.  Two adaptor cords are included which permit use with 15 ampere NEMA 5-15 outlets, but down rate the system to 15 amperes.

Does equipment designed for 50 Hz. operate on 60 Hz?
In North America, electricity is supplied at 60 Hertz (Hz.)  In most of Europe, Asia, Africa, Australia and South America, 50 Hz. is the standard.  For most equipment, this difference is not a problem.  In some cases, motors will run 20% faster on 60 Hz versus 50 Hz.  (This is a problem with electric clocks!)  Radios and televisions are a special problem: broadcast frequencies are country and region specific.  If you have questions, please call us.  (Hertz = cycles per second)

What is the effect of 3 phase power on the Quick 220 Voltage Converting Power Supply?
Should the 110-120 volts come from a 3-phase electrical system, found in commercial or industrial settings, the output will be 208 volts.

Do I need to use 3 prong grounded wall outlets?

  • Yes, 3 pronged grounded wall outlets are necessary for safe operation.  Do not use adapters and do not remove grounding pin from plug.

What is the difference between the Quick 220 models?
The Quick 220® Power Supply shown in this web site is the latest model of this product.  The designator "Power Supply" has been adopted because it is more electrically accurate.  In the past, the more functionally descriptive names "Voltage Converter" and "Voltage Converting Power Supply" were used.  Since the Quick 220® Power Supply’s introduction, all models have used the same technology, incorporating patented safety circuits to obtain 208-240 volts from 110–120 volt outlets.