The 220 volt circuits as they were known prior to the 1960s are now commonly known as 240 volt circuits and 110 volt circuits are now 120 volt circuits. This is a 220v 20 amp outlet as shown in the how to 220 volt outlet video likely to be used this for larger power tools in your garage or shop or perhaps a wall air conditioner.

30a Control Panel 240v Only For Int L Use
European 220 volt wiring diagram. 220 volts 30 amps wire connections for x y w 240 volt receptacle dryer outlets the black wire attaches to outlet terminal x the red wire attaches to outlet terminal y. European voltage transformer selection guide 380 400 415 volt 3 phase output selecting the right european voltage transformer is simple. However working on your circuit breaker box and electrical system can lead to serious injury or death if you dont know what youre doing so hire an electrician if you don. Wiring residential homes with 240 volts is a necessity for powering some heating and cooling equipment as well as some large appliances. To understand how a 240 volt also known as 220 volt household circuit works you should first know a little bit about how a regular 120 110 volt circuit worksif you are at all familiar with residential electrical wiring then you probably already know that in most cases appliances and fixtures connect to three wires. Its between 110 and 120 volts but in europe its 220 volts.
That doesnt address his actual question. Understanding 220 or 240 volt electrical circuits. Europe commonly uses 250 volt 50 hertz. One distinct difference apart from the type of plug is the voltage. Foreign countries such as europe or the united kingdom use different plugs to those in the united states and the color of the wiring is different. 240 single phase in the usa is achieved by each leg being 120 volts whereas in europe i think 240 is achieved like 120 is here240 on one leg and 0 on the other.
To determine the best fit for your application review the following considerations. Wiring a new 220 outlet is a project that someone who has experience working with electricity can do safely by working carefully and following the proper precautions. Its not the voltages he is asking about but the nature of how that voltage is achieved. The standard in europe is 230 volts 50hz ac. In the usa the two commonly supplied shore power voltages are 120 volts 60hz ac and 240 volts 60hz ac. All of these supplies are single phase but there are differences in the supply wire configurations and consequently in the power distribution panel structure.