How do you connect a 240V electric cooktop with four wires to the 240V service from the electric panel which is 3 wires?

Answer 1

for USA, Canada and countries running a 60 Hz supply service.

The 4 wires that are needed for this stove are, L1 (120 phase 1) L2 (120 phase 2), neutral, and ground. If you only have three wires then you are missing one of these wires. I would recommend running new wire from your electrical panel to the stove. I would NOT just leave the ground wire off or connect the neutral and ground together. There is a reason that there are 4 wires, and you should keep it that way.

Another answer

Do not tie the neutral and ground in the outlet! Run new wire! Depending on how much current is flowing through the neutral, there is a potential (pun not intended) for a voltage to exist between the neutral and ground. If you use the neutral as a ground, this means a shock hazard. Get it wired properly. Be safe.

Rationalizing tying the neutral to the hot "because they are tied at the breaker box anyways" is dangerous because it neglects the fact that the wire has resistance. The resistance in the wire causes the potential to ground, which is always 0V at the breaker box.

What if

The neutral and ground are already connected on the back of the appliance? Could I then replace the 4 wire cord with a 3 wire? If you are upgrading to a newer appliance the electrical code allows you to continue to use your exsisting 3 wire supply.You would connect the ground and neutral together as in the old appliance.The neutal currents in cooking appliances( 240 volt) are very small and should not cause you any problems.

Finally

The neutral / ground tie mentioned above is for old 3 wire outlets. If you are lucky enough to have a new 4 wire outlet, break that bond. Your new cord will have the separate neutral and ground so that bond is not needed.

Again, if you are wiring a new outlet you need all 4 wires for a 4 wire plug. Pull new wire if you can, it is safer. If you can't, use the older 3 wire plug. The 3 wire plug does not meet code for new work, but is allowed for old work. Do not under any circumstances connect ground and neutral at the outlet That is dangerous and illegal. Do it right or don't do it at all.

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As always, if you are in doubt about what to do, the best advice anyone should give you is to call a licensed electrician to advise what work is needed.

Before you do any work yourself,

on electrical circuits, equipment or appliances,

always use a test meter to ensure the circuit is, in fact, de-energized.

IF YOU ARE NOT ALREADY SURE YOU CAN DO THIS JOB

SAFELY AND COMPETENTLY

REFER THIS WORK TO QUALIFIED PROFESSIONALS.

Answer 2

for USA, Canada and countries running a 60 Hz supply service.

Hook the black to black, red to red, white to white, and green to bare. (Phase A to A, B to B, Neutral to Neutral, and Ground to Ground).

Your home probaly has type SE cable, two insulated conductors wrapped by a bare conductor in a single jacket. Connect the black conductor from the cook top to one of the insulated conductors, connect the red to the other. Connect the white and green ( bare) to the bare conductor in the SE cable.This is allowed by the code in older homes such as yours. It was never the intention of the code to make home owners tear out and replace wiring as they replaced equipment, even though some people would like you to think so.

<><><>

As always, if you are in doubt about what to do, the best advice anyone should give you is to call a licensed electrician to advise what work is needed.

Before you do any work yourself,

on electrical circuits, equipment or appliances,

always use a test meter to ensure the circuit is, in fact, de-energized.

IF YOU ARE NOT ALREADY SURE YOU CAN DO THIS JOB

SAFELY AND COMPETENTLY

REFER THIS WORK TO QUALIFIED PROFESSIONALS.

Answer 3

It never ceases to amaze me why someone will buy an appliance not knowing how it will work in their house. You have 2 options.. 1) Call an Electrician and have it done correctly, or 2) Try to do it yourself and burn your house down. That being said, you need 4 wires to connect a stove to the breaker box not 220 wires. If this is asked as a homework question, open the book, learn how to do it without thinking and I will feel comfortable working next to you!..pkazsr

Answer 4

Two hots, a neutral and a grounding conductor.