Can I Wire my Dryer to my Range Outlet?
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Can I use my range outlet for my dryer? Why Wiring a Clothes Dryer to a Range Outlet is Unsafe. |
Wiring a Clothes Dryer Circuit
Electrical Question: Can I use my range outlet for my dryer?
Peter in Vermont asks:
- My question is pretty simple Dave. I have an old house with a 50amp range receptacle that the stove is plugged into. I want to put a clothes dryer right next to the stove (without running a separate drop).
- Can I simply split that range drop in a large jbox, mount the range receptacle in that jbox, and continue out of that jbox upstream to a 30 amp breaker in an enclosure, then terminate at a 30amp dryer receptacle?
- The idea here is that the 30amp breaker for the dryer is ahead of the 50amp breaker for the range, therefore it should trip if the dryer draws over current beyond 30a.
- Obviously in this scenario you may not be able to run the range and dryer at the same time (depending on how many elements you are running simultaneously on the range) without tripping the 50a breaker in the panel.
Please tell me your thoughts on this. Thanks.
Dave’s Reply:
Thanks for your electrical wiring question Peter.
Add to the Wiring a Clothes Dryer
Application: Wiring a Clothes Dryer Circuit.
Skill Level: Intermediate to Advanced – Best performed by a Licensed Electrical Contractor, or Certified Electrician.
Electrical Tools Required: Basic Electricians Pouch Hand Tools, Voltage Tester, and appropriate Safety Gear.
Estimated Time: Depends on the personal level experience, ability to work with tools, install electrical circuit wiring, and the available access to the project area.
Electrical Safety: Identify the electrical power source to the Clothes Dryer, turn it OFF and Tag with a Note before working with the electrical wiring.
Electrical Wiring Parts and Materials: Electrical parts and materials for the Clothes Dryer should be approved for the specific project and compliant with local and national electrical codes.
Electrical Codes and Inspections: Installing or changing home electrical wiring should be done according to local and national electrical codes as adopted in your specific area of Vermont. A permit and inspections may also be required.
Why Wiring a Clothes Dryer to a Range Outlet is Unsafe
This electrical wiring project is about Wiring a Clothes Dryer in an older house.
A Clothes Dryer Requires a Dedicated Circuit
- Peter, from the information you have provided, (and I get this question a lot), the answer is simply this: The NEC Code requires a dedicated circuit to each large appliance.
- Here are some examples:
A dryer requires a 4 wire 30 amp dedicated circuit (NEC article 250.142(B).
An electric range 8.75 kW or higher requires a minimum 40 amp dedicated circuit (NEC article 210.19(A)(3). - The same is true for any permanently installed large appliance or equipment.
- The NFPA – National Fire Prevention Association
These are Fire and Safety Regulations and Codes that have been carefully developed and adopted to prevent hazardous conditions for you and your home, and to ensure that the appliances and equipment that will be used will be protected and function with dependability. - Note: I believe thee are all concerns that you have as well, and for good reason, and it would be wrong for me to advise you in any other way.
- Appliance and Equipment Specifications
Every UL Approved electrical appliance that is to be used or installed provides the required electrical circuit specification which is typically found in the installation manual which comes with the appliance.
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