I am replacing a single wall oven with a double. Current wire is 10/2 w/ground. 240v 20 amp breaker.
New 240v double oven says it draws 40amps. Besides needing a new breaker, do I need to go to a larger wire? Are 4 conductor wires & plug/recepatcles required now? Total cable length is about 45′.
Thanks
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Replies
>>>> Besides needing a new breaker,<<
40A, 2 pole
>>> do I need to go to a larger wire?<<
#8 awg minimum, can go larger if you like (#6).
>>> Are 4 conductor wires & plug/recepatcles required now?<<
Yes, in my locale.
The pigtail cable to the plug needs to be #8 or larger also.
Jim
"Are 4 conductor wires & plug/recepatcles required now? "
The NEC says that 3 wire is fine for EXISTING installations and almost all appliances that I have seen have instructions for either installation.
However, you have to run new cable so it has to meet the current rules which are 4 wires if your local has adopted the 96 NEC or later. But even if you are a location without codes the 4 wire is the better option.
The NEC does not require a receptacle and plug. It can be hard wired, unless there is a local amendment that requires them.
Not universal but most common is that free standing stove have plug and reptacle, but built in cook tops and ovens are hard wired using approprate splice to the appliance pig tail.
William the Geezer, the sequel to Billy the Kid - Shoe
Thank you guys. I'd better head on over to HD.
8 ga wire nuts I found at a hardware store- hard to work with
More commonly split bolts are used.And LOTS of insulation..
William the Geezer, the sequel to Billy the Kid - Shoe
Ideal "big" blue wire nuts are listed for up to 2 - #6
Work very well if you will leave some slack in the wire and follow their strip length recommendations.
Available at HD, among others, here.
Jim
Never underestimate the value of a sharp pencil or good light.
Thanks
Oops!
Mis-quoted listed maximum capacity for Ideal wire nuts.......
Ideal, "big" blue wire nuts are only listed for 1-#6 + 2-#8 max.
Buchanan Cap, blue/gray, #73203, wire nuts are listed for 2-#6 max.
Both specify a strip length of 3/4".
Both are for copper conductors only.
Used both in the past, both work as listed.
Both are available at HD here.
JimNever underestimate the value of a sharp pencil or good light.
I had probs getting the wires to wrap on each other (twist)
That's what I figured.
The extra long strip will help with that problem; or go longer still, then twist with linesman's pliers, trim and then twist on the nuts.
Jim
Never underestimate the value of a sharp pencil or good light.
Edited 11/7/2009 9:40 pm ET by JTC1
Extra long and then trim is a good suggestion.
I use two pair of pliers. One to hold and one to twist. "There are three kinds of men: The one that learns by reading, the few who learn by observation and the rest of them have to pee on the electric fence for themselves."Will Rogers
They make some nice set screw, insulated splice blocks these days that are a lot cheaper than the Polaris. I think they were a few bucks each for 2 hole 14-4ga. They have a clear plastic cover and red plugs for the screw holes. I don't have the name but City Electric had them.
That makes a very clean and secure splice.