im almost done with my oven

[chicagorich]

My oven is similar to viper 56s design he used a 4 prong range cord, i have a 3 prong range cord, will my 3 prong work?

[viper56]

chicagorich,

A three prong cord has 2 line load (hot) wires and a neutral wire. A four prong cord has 2 line load wires, a neutral wire and a ground wire. Older electric ovens had three prong cords. Newer ovens now use a four prong cord due to upgrades in the electrical code.

Jim

[chicagorich]

thanks viper

Will my 3 prong be ok, i have a square d switch box and i dont see where the neutral would be connected. I went with a 3 prong because my welder has 2 hots and a neutral so i figured the 3 would be ok I'll post pics of my setup tommorow.

[dagobert]

"Can work" vs. "Should be done"...

The older style 3 prong cords used a jumper line between the Neutral and the ground where the plug connected to. A seperate ground IS better from a safety aspect, and is according to NEC code here (and they research and write those codes for a good reason), but the older version would work if that is what your plug it goes into matches. (Personally, I'D update the cord and the plug it goes into, and keep your Neutral and ground bars seperated; but that's my advice- it's your project, and since I take NO responsibility as to how it works or its safety, it remains all your decision as to which way to wire it. Just remember that 240 volts and 55 amps is NOT to be taken lightly if it shorts out, and it's your behind and whomever else might be touching against it at the time that will be at the end of a potentially fatal shock hazard. As the knight in the Indiana Jones movie quipped, "Choose wisely".

[chicagorich]

well put dagobert

i think i will look into the 4 wire

[hvac36]

But understand Your service Panel needs to beable to handle the New style electric set up. If you do not have the new style service panel Neutral and Ground wires are on different lugs in teh panel then the 4 wire will be of no use, you might as well use the old style. All new Panel Boxes since I belive the date was 2001 have this.. Old ones do not the Neutral and Grounds share the same terminals...


Jim S...

[sswee]

Since the fourth wire is an earth ground, wouldn't a seperate wire from the oven to a ground rod do the same if there is a safety concern?

[hvac36]

The ground should be hooked up to the oven anyway..
My oven uses 3 wires. 2 hots and 1 ground. The ground is hooked up to the nuetral bar and tied in at all points along the way. From my 4x4 box's to the oven and conduit.

Jim S..

[sswee]

What I was asking is, on the older 220V single phase normally wired 2 lines hot and 1 common or neutral, if you put a seperate ground from your oven to a ground rod, would it be the same safety wise as wiring a four prong with 2 lines hot, 1 common, and 1 earth ground?

[viper56]

sswee,

Before connecting a ground on the oven directly to a grounding rod, I would do a search on grounding rods. I remember reading somewhere, that by doing that, it could create a potentially dangerous situation. I do not remember the particulars, but maybe someone on this board could enlighten you better,

Jim

[sswee]

Not something I going to run out and do. All my equipment is wired with the older three prong plugs. I understand the reason for an extra earth ground, even though I am not familiar with anyone getting shocked by equipment or an appliance wired correctly. I have seen many people zapped by reverse polarity on 110V outlets or cutting the ground prong off. I am looking at building an oven similer to what has been described and don't want to get fried by something I haven't seen or heard of.