Electric Stove wiring help?

Question

I have a Kenmore electric stove that was previously hard-wired into a house. I want to wire it for use at home. First, do electric stoves all require 3 prong outlets? How would I do this or find out about this? Any help would be appreciated. Thanks.

Answer 1

Yes and they usually require a heavier amperage circuit. You can purchase a "Stove Plug" as long as the house itself has the correct wiring and if you can follow instructions it is fairly easy to hook up. If you don't know what you are doing get an electrician.

For the house wireing itself make sure the breaker is rated for the stove, It should be at least a 50 amp breaker for a typical oven with four burner stove. Second, the wire size should be at least a number 8 copper if on a 50 amp breaker and number 6 if more than a 50 amp breaker

Answer 2

"Electrical inspector" is pretty close, but even he made a wrong statement (saying there is no neutral connection on some stoves). The other answers are completely wrong. You had to buy a cord with 4 wires, and I assume that is because you have a 4 wire (hole) outlet. You always buy the cord to match the existing outlet, not change the outlet to match the stove. New outlets need to be 4 wires. The 3 wire cord has 2 hots and a neutral (not 2 hots and a ground). The 4th wire added to the 4 wire cord is a separate ground. Your old stove would have a connection between the frame of the stove and the neutral. When you connect the 4-wire cord to the frame this connection to the neutral must be removed. The 3 wires in the new cord (other than the green) will attach to the same place the 3 wire cord had. When you are done there should be no conductivity between the neutral and ground wires. If you can't figure out how to get the green wire attached to the frame and the frame connection removed from the neutral (white), feel free to get an electrician to install the cord. That should cost under $100.

Answer 3

Roger has the closest answer, and I also don't know why that got a thumbs down. But to be complete, and correct wrong information in other answers:

All new installations (as of the 1996 National Electrical Code) require 4 prong connections for stoves and dryers. If your house ALREADY has a 3 prong outlet for the stove, you can use a 3 prong cord. Otherwise, if you are adding the outlet to the house, it must be 4 prong (and use a 4 prong cord). I suggest if aren't very familiar with wiring that you get an electrician to do the work.

The range receptacle and cord is 50A. This can be put on either a 50A or 40A breaker (where I live 40A is most common). I have never seen a stove that requires 50A by the NEC, but I imagine one exists. The breaker rating is NOT the wattage you will find marked on the stove (that could exceed 50A). The NEC specifies how to determine the load of a dryer. Basically, a 40A circuit can be used for a range rated up to 16kW. For wire size, romex typically used, 8AWG is limited to 40A and 6AWG would be used for 50A.

Answer 4

Is wiring in a 1940's electric stove safe to use?

Answer 5

Yes, all electric stoves are three wire as they all are 220 volts. It will have to be wired to a 220 breaker in your electric panel. At the stove, you will mount a three prong, heavy duty, receptacle, on the wall. The stove is then wired with a matching plug.
Hope this helps.

Answer 6

Some areas are now requireing the use of 4 wire outlets and cords on dryers and Ranges that are being installed for the first time. Check with your local inspector or a reputable electrical contractor to find out if your area does or not. I would reccomend that you have an electrician do the work if it requires running a new range receptcal.

Answer 7

All the stoves I've seen require a special 3 prong 220v plug. You can get one at a hardware store or Home Depot.

Answer 8

generally electric stove and range combination is 220 volt and has an offset 3 prong plug and outlet, you an purchase the plug and cord at most hardware stores, should also be on a dedicated fuse or circuit breaker rated at 10% over the amperage of the range

Answer 9

no, they don't all require 3 prong.. some are 4 prong.... go to a hardware store and buy whatever cord matches the plug that u have in your house. (this is assuming that u have a 220 volt plug in your house already.) they are pretty simple to hook up. just follow instructions. feel free to email me for further assistance.
hmmmm i'm really curious y someone gave my answer a 'thumbs down' i've hooked up many stoves and know what i'm talking about. (i do home repairs for a living and that is something that i've often been asked to do.)