Where can you find a diagram for installing a new range with a four-prong cable if the range you are replacing only has a three-prong cable?

Answer 1

== == "Tongue-in-cheek" Would you buy a brand new car for 1000 dollars that uses pig's urine for fuel? Can you use gas instead of pig's urine? Seriously, the answer is no. There is a lot more to electricity than the salespeople at Home Depot or Lowes or Sears are willing or able to tell you. A 800 dollar stove with a 800 dollar installation is not a deal. Become informed by asking a local professional electrician before you buy. <><><>

(LIFE SAFETY WARNING! [disclaimer]

Electricity is dangerous!

You can be injured or killed!

Improper installations can cause fire, injury and death!

Should you be doing this yourself?)

How can I plug a four prong dryer or range into a three prong outlet?

This is one of those questions - if you know this little, you shouldn't be doing what you are planning...

No disrespect intended, but this is SO basic that it suggests you have not studied the subject at all!

There are many good reference books and course books to study from.

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This is one of the most commonly asked questions in FAQ forums about electricity and wiring.

It must be understood that new appliances will be designed to meet the newest standards.

It is not reasonable to expect someone to rewire their home because they need a new dryer or range [stove]!

According to the NEC [National Electrical Code], it is now required to isolate the neutral conductor from the appliance frame or chassis.

It used to be allowable to use the neutral as a grounding means by incorporating a link between the neutral and the chassis.

The problem with this is that, should the neutral become "open" at some point, the chassis or frame then becomes energized!

The answer to this safety issue was to require a separate grounding conductor in the cable feeding the appliance.

The NEC allows the replacement of the new four prong cord with a three prong cord for appliance replacements in existing installations only!

It is then required, when the cord is thusly replaced, to establish the frame grounding link from the chassis to the neutral.

IF YOU ARE NOT ALREADY SURE YOU CAN DO THIS JOB

SAFELY AND COMPETENTLY

REFER THIS WORK TO QUALIFIED PROFESSIONALS.

If you do this work yourself, always turn off the power

at the breaker box/fuse panel BEFORE you attempt to do any work AND

always use an electrician's test meter having metal-tipped probes

(not a simple proximity voltage indicator)

to insure the circuit is, in fact, de-energized.