Installing an 24,000btu air conditioner. The original wiring at that outlet has an double pole 20amp circuit breaker. The old air conditioner that was their was plug into an outlet box that sat on the face of the wall that had 30 and 250 on it. I had purchased an outlet that had 20 and 250 on it. The instruction for the wiring of the new air conditioner said 208/230 volts; 0 to 12amps; 20amp time delay fuse or circuit breaker. So tell me if I am doing the right thing with that 20amp and 250 volt outlet. I did not see any 230volts outlets. I am not trying to blow the unit.

You need a step down transformer, to convert 220V to 110V. You can't just plug the 110V A/C unit in directly unless it is clearly marked as being suitable for multi-voltage supply (110V - 220V input).

Such a transformer has to be of sufficient capacity to handle the current, or wattage, that will be required. The Frigidaire unit in your question is a 3.5 kW cooling capacity, so the transformer would need to be about the same, ie for a 10A supply at least. They are quite big boxes, about $120.

http://welectronics.com/TRANSFORMERS/step-up-down.JPG

You would put this in the roof or in a cupboard.

In a traditional North American residential electrical panel (120/240 volt, single phase), installing a single width or single pole circuit breaker, you would expect to read 120 volts from the breaker terminal screw to either ground or neutral. A double width or double pole breaker would provide 120 volts from either of the breaker terminal screws to ground or neutral AND it will provide 240 volts BETWEEN the TWO breaker terminals.

A single-width circuit breaker case that contains two handles is NOT a two pole circuit breaker (these are called "tandem" or "1/2 size" breakers). This is because a single width breaker engages only one "line" in the panel. A double width breaker will engage 2 "lines" as a triple width breaker would engage 3 "lines" of a 3 phase panel. A single wide breaker can not physically engage more than 1 "line" so it will never be able to pass 240 volts.

You must install a double width / double pole breaker to safely supply a 240 volt circuit / device.

yes sounds like the contact welded closed on one leg.

You need 240 breaker:
Notice that your 240V breaker is twice as wide as regular 120V breaker.
Notice that both switches are tied together on 240V breaker, making this a double-pole breaker.
For more information about breakers and 120-240V circuits:
http://waterheatertimer.org/See-inside-main-breaker-box.html
http://waterheatertimer.org/B220C.html

If the Siemens 20Amp 1-pole arc-fault circuit breaker is wired correctly and there are no problems with the circuit that it is protecting, when first turning it to the ON position, the amber light will come on then go out after about 10 seconds or so.

If the breaker is wired incorrectly or there is a fault in the circuit the amber light will stay on.

Most two-pole breakers have a small plastic bar that connects the two switches allowing them to be synchronized and used as a single breaker. However there are some two pole breakers that are intended to be used as two separate breaker and lack the need for the bar that synchronizes them, this is because they are not being used to power a single circuit or item, but separate circuits, or items. so no the breaker is not bad, and yes can be used to power single circuits or items.

Hello

It could have been the washer at one time but the breakers got moved around over time. The washer should be on its own 20amp circuit. What size is the breaker? 20amp? 15amp? It is on the tip of the switch of the breaker. If it's a 20amp it should be for the kitchen or dining room outlets. It could also be for an air conditioner in the window. If it's a 15amp then it could be for lighting or other outlets other than the kitchen, dining room or ac outlet for window ac. That's just the basics. How old is the house? I've seen some really mixed up wiring in older houses. You could also buy a "Sperry" circiut breaker finder for about $50. It has a outlet plug that connects to an outlet and another handheld scanner that you scan the breakers with to find the correct breaker so that you can label it.

John

sounds like fan motor is going bad - replace

Probable cause is a single pole gfi opposed to a double pole gfi.
* Do not use a single pole GFCI ON A MULTI WIRE CIRCUIT, IT WILL NUISANCE TRIP IMMEDIATELY
Use a two pole GFCI circuit breaker on such circuits.

shut the breaker off,loosen the screws and the breaker will lift off the rail,loosen the wires on the breaker,bring breaker to store when buying replacement,snap new breaker in place on rail,make sure lugs are tight on new breaker,turn breaker on