Hello everyone...
I have a question that bothers me for some weeks now. 120v/240v US appliance in Europe - Center tapped, split phase or rewiring
I moved to Europe (Cyprus) from the States and brought with me a new oven and a dryer as well as some other appliances. The reason I metioned those two appliances above is because they need 120/240v to work. I also bought 2 3000w 240v to 120v transformers (regulators) which have 2 regular US plugs (outlets) each.
The Oven and the dryer (Whirlpool)both need L1-L2-N-Ground. I understand that the voltage distribution between L1-N and L2-N is 120v whereas between L1-L2 is 240v which is used for the elements. Now the big dilemma is how to wire them up in Cyprus since the electricity is : 240v (L) -N-Ground.
1. I thought of buying a 15000W Center tapped transformer and basically do a small cabling in my under construction house to accomodate my oven and dryer from L1-L2-N as well as my Fridge from L1-N and Washer from L2-N. Also maybe install some US plugs from L1-N and L2-N for some smaller appliances such as mixer etc. I am worried about the balancing of the legs(Ls) though. The fridge will be on all the time loading only L1-N whereas L2-N and L1-L2-N will be loaded occasionally (whenever the oven is on or the washer or the dryer). Is it going to be ok for the center tapped transformer to be unbalanced most of the time? If not, is the idea of having just the appliances that require 120/240v plugged in to a center tapped transformer better? And maybe have the fridge on a regular 240->120v transformer by itself.
2. What is the "phase split" box? Can I just get one of those for each appliance that requires 120/240v and basically split the 240V phase into two 120V + Neutral and do my job? In such case, will the difference between the two splited Ls (L1-L2) be 240V? Is the degree angle between L1 and L2 be 180°?
3. I have the schematics of the oven...they are pretty clear to read but also kind of complicated to separate the 240v components from the 120v ones (basically controls and lighting). Do you think is a good Idea to mess up with the circuitry of the applicance and power up the 240v components directly as well as the 120v components via a regular small transformer? What if the 120v transformer fails while the oven supplies 240V directly to the elements? Or maybe that wouldn't be a problem since the control unit will shut down thus the supply to the element will also shut down?
4. Can I use my transformer's both output outlets to somehow supply L1 from outlet 1 and L2 from outlet 2? What about Neutral? Can I wire both neutrals from both outlets to the oven's neutral?
I will appreciate if you can answer my questions as well as if you guys can share your ideas and concerns and any other solutions to my problem. Also which solution do you think is better, safer, and less costly?
(ps. Sorry for my english.)
Thank you
Center Tapped, Split Phase, or Rewired? 
Re: Center Tapped, Split Phase, or Rewired?
