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Range Circuit Wiring and 3-Wire Outlets


How to Connect the Wires for a Electric Range Cord: Electric Range Installation with a typical 220 or 240 Volt electric power cord wiring system, You may find yourself with either a 3-wire or 4-wire electric range cord.

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Home Electrical Wiring Video

How to Wire a GFCI Outlet
without a Ground Wire

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Connections for a 3-Wire Range Cord
Electrical Question: Do I need to change the receptacle to three wire and change the range cord or can I just leave it as is?

Example #1 of Wiring a Range

This electrical wiring question came from Dave, in Jamestown, Ohio.

Example #2 of Wiring a Range

Electrical Question: Can I use the bare ground wire for a 240volt range receptacle?

This electrical wiring question came from: Clint, a Homeowner from Port Allen, Louisiana.

Dave’s Reply:
Thanks for your electrical wiring question Dave and Clint.

How to Connect an Electric Range Cord

Application: 220 Volt or 240 Range Cord Wiring.
Skill Level: Beginner to Intermediate. This electrical wiring project is best performed by a Licensed Electrical Contractor.
Tools Required: Basic Electricians Pouch Hand Tools and a Voltage Tester.
Estimated Time: Depends on personal level experience, ability to work with tools and the available access to the range cord electrical connection box.
Precaution: Identify the range circuit, turn it OFF and Tag it with a Note before working with the range cord wiring.

More about Wiring a 240 Volt Electric Range

The Following will assist you with Connecting a Range Cord

House Wiring Circuits and Circuit Breakers

Home Electrical Wire
electrical-wire
Electrical Wire for the Home
Complete listing of electrical wire types and parts used for home electric range projects with electrical code information serves as selection guidelines.


The following may also be helpful for you:

Dave's Guide to Home Electrical Wiring:

» You Can Avoid Costly Mistakes! «

Here's How to Do It:
Wire It Right with the help of my Illustrated Wiring Book

Great for any Home Wiring Project.
  electrical wiring  

Complete Guide to Home Electrical Wiring

Perfect for Homeowners, Students,
Handyman, Handy Women, and Electricians
Includes:
Wiring GFCI Outlets
Wiring Home Electric Circuits
120 Volt and 240 Volt Outlet Circuits
Wiring Light Switches
Wiring 3-Wire and 4-Wire Electric Range
Wiring 3-Wire and 4-Wire Dryer Cord and Dryer Outlet
How to Troubleshoot and Repair Electrical Wiring
Wiring Methods for Upgrading Electrical Wiring
NEC Codes for Home Electrical Wiring
....and much more.


Learn more about Home Electrical Wiring
with my Online Video Course:
Basic Home Electrical Wiring by Example


Be Careful and Be Safe - Never Work on Energized Circuits!
Consult your Local Building Department about Permits and Inspections for all Electric Wiring Projects.

Electrical Tips to Help You Wire it Right

The Safest Way to Test Electrical Devices and Identify Electric Wires!

The Non-Contact Electrical Tester
This is a testing tool that I have had in my personal electrical tool pouch for years, and is the first test tool I grab to help identify electrical wiring. It is a Non-contact tester that I use to easily Detect Voltage in Cables, Cords, Circuit Breakers, Lighting Fixtures, Switches, Outlets and Wires. Simply insert the end of the tester into an outlet, lamp socket, or hold the end of the tester against the wire you wish to test. Very handy and easy to use.

The Quickest Way to Check for Faulty Electrical Wiring!

The Plug-In Outlet Tester
This is the first tool I grab to troubleshoot a problem with outlet circuit wiring. This popular tester is also used by most inspectors to test for power and check the polarity of circuit wiring.
It detects probable improper wiring conditions in standard 110-125 VAC outlets Provides 6 probable wiring conditions that are quick and easy to read for ultimate efficiency Lights indicate if wiring is correct and indicator light chart is included Tests standard 3-wire outlets UL Listed Light indicates if wiring is incorrect Very handy and easy to use.

Strip Off Wire Insulation without Nicking and Damaging the Electric Wire!

The Wire Stripper and Wire Cutter
My absolute favorite wire stripping tool that I have had in my personal electrical tool pouch for years, and this is the tool I use to safely strip electrical wires.
This handy tool has multiple uses:
The wire gauges are shown on the side of the tool so you know which slot to use for stripping insulation.
The end of the tool can be used to grip and bend wire which is handy for attaching wire onto the screw terminals of switches and outlets..

The wire stripper will work on both solid and stranded wire. This tool is Very Handy and Easy to Use.


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FAQs Frequently Asked Questions and Comments

9 Responses to “Range Circuit Wiring and 3-Wire Outlets”
  1. james harrison says:

    My 80 year old home is for sale. A home inspector found a burnt spot on the stove wire about a foot from the 50 amp breaker. The old cable appears to be 6-2 copper clad aluminum. The run is approximately 25 feet. The panel box doesn’t separate ground and neutral. It is a standard type stove with 4 burners, bake and broil elements. When everything was fired up on the stove, the breaker tripped. I will replace with copper size 6. Do I have to use 6-3 or can I run 6-2 to save money?

  2. Dave Rongey says:

    Hi Kim,
    If the range that you have purchased seems to have a defect that will prevent it from working properly then you may want to return it to the place of purchase.
    I hope this helps,
    Dave

  3. kim sherer says:

    We bought a Hotpoint range, and we have done everything but change the plug. The stove and radiant gets warm, not hot. We noticed that one of the screws on the hot wire on the stove will not tighten, it seems to be stripped. What do we need to do? The stove was bought used, and we have 30 days, should I return it?

  4. Dave Rongey says:

    Hi David,
    If the stove top does not in fact require a neutral wire then the neutral wire of the circuit may be capped off, and be sure to bond the ground wire. Please note that a stove and a range requires a separate circuit for each unit.
    I hope this helps,
    Dave

  5. David says:

    I am remodeling my kitchen. I am replacing a stove top and putting a range in the same spot. The wiring that the stove top has three wires a black,red, and a bare wire. It is a dedicated 220 volt.The stove is either a 3 wire or a 4 wire. I bought a 3 wire outlet box. Can I hook up the black and red to the outlet and hook the ground to the neutral on the outlet.

  6. Dave Rongey says:

    Hi Jim,
    Check the installation Manual’s instructions for your new cook top to see if it is allowed to be wired with a 3-wire connection. If the manufacturer specifically states that a 4-wire circuit is required which includes a dedicated neutral wire then you will need to have a new circuit installed according to the circuit requirements of the manufacturer to ensure proper operation.
    If the manufacturer’s installation manual states that a 3-wire connection is permitted then the connection will be similar to the description as found on the page about how to wire an electric oven.
    I hope this helps,
    Dave

  7. Jim D says:

    I have a new 220 volt cook top with 4 wires which are red, black, white, and a ground. The power supply is 220 volt 3-wire which has a black, white, and a ground wire. How is this wired?

  8. Dave Rongey says:

    Hi Gary,
    The information at the top portion of this page has a link to the full explanation about how to wire a 4 wire 220 volt electric range.
    Enjoy your electric range.
    Dave

  9. gary fowler says:

    I have a 4 wire 220 range circuit with a 3 wire outlet and 3 wire stove connection. What should I with the bare ground wire at outlet and panel. Thank You G. F.