How to Connect Electrical Appliances
Electrical appliances in North America operate with either 120 or 240 volts of current. Electric stoves, ranges and clothes dryers use a 240-volt circuit for the higher power requirements needed to operate these appliances. Other devices, including stereo equipment, small kitchen appliances and a bedside alarm clock, use 120 volts. All appliances that pass Underwriters Laboratories, or UL, inspection are shipped with a label listing the voltage requirements. If you have any doubts about the electrical requirements for a particular appliance, check the labeling before plugging in the device.
Instructions
- 1 Dry your hands before touching any power cord, even if it's only the plug or insulated cable.
2 Look at the back panel of the appliance or the label folded onto the power cord to check the voltage requirements before connecting the device. For safety, products such as electric clothes dryers are equipped with a special four-prong plug that will only connect to a 240-volt socket with matching slots.
3 Line up the plug blades with the slots in the outlet. Modern grounded plugs feature one blade slightly wider than the other, so if the plug will not insert on the first try, turn it over and push straight in.
