6-3 Costs a fortune. Where to get a good deal?

RockingM82

I'm upgrading the range oven circuits in my property, so I'll need about 150' of 6-3. The cost is almost prohibitive though. Anyone know of any good buys on this stuff?

k_buz

Check the specs on the range, if you can put it on a 40A circuit (many can be) and you can use 8-3.

jbfan

150 feet for a range?

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Speedy Petey

Or use #6AL SER. MUCH cheaper.

Typical range circuits do NOT have to be #6cu on a 50A breaker.

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RockingM82

Thanks for all the replies. I am running two circuits. One to a range upstairs and one to a range downstairs. The range upstairs is probably 1970s vintage. The range downstairs is late 90's - 00's vintage. I can't afford to replace the ranges right now, but since the basement is open and will soon be finished I wanted to replace the old wire and run a new line for the basement operation. Eventually, the ranges will be upgraded in which case they will more than likely require a 40 amp 8-3 setup. Would I run into any problems if the old ovens happened to be 50 amps and I have the 40 amp 8-3 setup?

k_buz

Every free standing range I've installed has been on a 40A breaker.

RockingM82

This house was built in the 50's. Right now, there is a massive wire ran for the range. I think it's large than 6AWG. It is not grounded to say the least and it runs into a 50 Amp breaker. I wish I was home, I would take a picture. The wire has some kind of adapter that allows it to be plugged into the 50 amp breaker.

k_buz

Post a picture of that.

You may be surprised that the wire currently being used is smaller than what you think. The insulation used back then used to be much thicker.

kbsparky

Many homes from the 1950's - 1960's used #6 SEU copper cable for range circuits.

Overkill in most cases.

To the OP: Post the nameplate info from your ranges so a proper demand/load calculation can be made.

If you're shopping at a home-horror store, you'll find higher prices on larger wire sizes than the wholesale houses. One of my local suppliers charges about $1.75 a foot for 6/3 romex. $1.20 per foot for #8/3

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Jupe Blue

If you are running a new circuit for a range, it will require a 4 wire cable (hot, hot, neutral, ground). Current code requires a separate ground (no longer legal to bond the frame to the neutral).

itsnotrequired

6/3 is three insulated conductors plus ground

rrolleston

Call around to some local supply houses and see what they have for a price per foot or roll. May be just as cheap to buy a roll because by the foot prices are sometimes more.

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k_buz

Don't forget that you must change the receptacles for the ranges to 4 wire and remove the bonding strap on the appliances when you replace the circuit.

electures

What is wrong with the existing wiring? Why can't you re-use it?

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rrolleston

Adding 6-3 and some 14-50R receptacles is the best way when the walls are open. It gives you the option of just about any full size range. If you decide to buy a range that needs it you will have everything ready to go. When doing new construction with a builder that's what we ran to be sure that the homeowner could use just about any range.

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Please ask me about my special discount for people that shut up and stay out of my way! With Electricity there is the right way to do it and the dead way. Just because it works does not make it safe.