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alanrose · Feb 10, 2011, 04:07 PM

Got a new (used) stove and can't plug it in. I've identified the components, and I'm wondering how to proceed. Looks like the only difference (besides the blade configuration) is that the old stove (the NEMA 10-50) had a ground wire and the new (used) stove doesn't. Can I replace the stove's cord with a cord to fit the receptacle and maybe ground the stove separately, running a ground wire into the basement perhaps?

Any suggestions are very welcome. Thanks in advance.

Stratmando · Feb 10, 2011, 04:56 PM

New construction and remodeling by code require 4 wire Range and Dryer Recepticles/Cord.
Otherwise you can change the cord or receptacle to match.
There is a strap that has to be dealt with that connects the ground to the neutral connections in the Range or Dryer, Remove for 4 wire and have in place for 3 wires.

donf · Feb 10, 2011, 07:00 PM

The 10-50 is a three wire. It combined ground and Neutral as one. That's your old style, correct?

The 14-50 is a four wire connection. Ground and Neutral use their own blades.

It's not as simple as just changing to a 14-50 receptacle. If you go that route, the entire cable from the service to the receptacle has to be replaced. You cannot connect a 4 wire receptacle to a three wire cable.

alanrose · Feb 10, 2011, 10:46 PM

donf--

You wrote "You cannot connect a 4 wire receptacle to a three wire cable." I'm sorry I didn't make myself clear. I have a 3-wire receptacle and a 4-wire cable.

Stratmando--

This sounds good, but I could use some more help. I want to replace the 4-wire cable with a 3-wire. I don't know what you mean by "strap". Whatever it is, can I simply remove it? That would leave the stove ungrounded, right?

Thanks.

Stratmando · Feb 11, 2011, 07:33 AM

About the 4th picture down, it shows the strap on a Dryer, Ranges are the same:
Changing an Electric Dryer's Power Cord from a 3-Prong Plug to a 4-Prong Plug | How To Articles
It shows the removal of the strap going from neutral(center terminal), when going from 3 to 4 wire. Since you are going from 4 to 3 wire, a strap would connect the 2.

The reason is The Neutral is to carry current, any 120 volt items in the appliance should use the neutral not ground for current carrying.

alanrose · Feb 11, 2011, 02:14 PM

Thanks for the excellent link. This information seems to be just what I needed.