[dakotakid]

I am planning a kitchen remodel and am replacing a 27" hard-wired drop in range with a 30" range that requires an appliance cord to be installed with a receptacle. The circuit is 40 amp and the wire is #6 that is hard wired into the existing 27"range. I will need to install a 3 wire receptacle that will need to be lowered approximately 10" to allow installation of the new range. Can I legally use the existing box as a junction box, place a new box 10" lower, splice these wires together, install my plug in the new box and go from there? If so are wire nuts an acceptable method of making the splice connections. Thanks for any and all suggestions.

[tkrussell]

Use the large blue wirenuts for splicing #6 . Using the existing JB will depend on the size. It will need to be a minimum of 4" square x 2-1/8" deep to handle 6-#6 wires.

[dakotakid]

I appreciate getting a reply yesterday from TK Russell but I've run into additional issues that I need to deal with. As I said earlier my house was constructed in the mid 60's and my understanding is that it was common to use aluminum wiring for the dryer and often times the kitchen range. This is what I found when I opened the panel to check size etc. Now back to my original question yesterday... I am wanting to remodel my kitchen and install a slide in range replacing a 27" drop in range that is presently hard wired in. Inorder for me to do this I will need to install a 40 amp receptacle approximately 10"-12" below the existing 4" junction box. Can I splice this in uniting the aluminum wire with #6 copper wire. I'm beginning to think I might be in over my head here. I have a call out for an electrician for advice/help but have heard nothing. Thanks again for all replies.

[tkrussell]

OK I am so glad you picked up on the aluminum wire, and asking about it. I did not think of the old SE cable popular with appliances.

Look for a connector called a split bolt. Must get one rated CU/AL for copper and aluminum. Find one rated for at least #6.

It will have a wedge in the center that will be used to keep the two wires separated from each other, they cannot touch.

Use anti-oxidant compound on the aluminum wire, it is OK if you compound the copper, but not necessary.

Tighten well with two wrenches.

Next use rubber tape, sometimes called splicing compound, two good layers, then two good layers of 3M 33+ tape.

[dakotakid]

Once again I thank TK Russell for his recent answer about my wiring dilemma. Another thought along the same line. TK would I be better off attempting to splice aluminum to aluminum wire in my short extension mentioned earlier? Or should I continue with my original idea of splicing from the existing aluminum to #6 copper using the splitbolt connector if I can locate them? The 50 amp range outlet purchased is rated for either aluminum or copper. I appreciate immensley your assistance in this regard.

[tanndog]

One thing to note is that sometimes you are better off replacing this cable with copper as insurance companies charge more for having the old aluminum wire and if there is a fire and you didn't tell them you had this then they can deny your claim.