[lostinnc]

My house has an electric cooktop served by a 30 amp breaker and the cable shown in the attachment.

I want to switch to an electric range (cooktop and oven in one), but I don't know if I need a 40 amp or 50 amp circuit for the range, and I'm not sure if the existing cable will be adequate.

I think that the existing cable is a "service entrance" cable, and that it's 8 gauge, two conductor plus ground (I would like help identifying the cable, though, since I'm not sure.) I know for sure that the existing breaker is a 30 amp breaker.

I'm trying to figure out what the code requires (as opposed to individual preferences, etc.) Any help would be most appreciated.

 

[Oso954]

The owners manual for the range you select will tell you whether a 40 or 50 amp circuit is the minimum size.

Your current cable is not SE, it is old cloth covered NM (romex).

 

[lostinnc]

Thanks for your response...

The reason I thought it was service entrance cable was because "SE" is printed on the cable.

I'll try again to find the manual for the range; it was purchased used and I'm not sure the manual is available online.

Thanks again.

 

[rjniles]

Your existing cable is SE, says so right on it. 10.5 kw is approx. 44 amps. You need a 50 amp circuit with #6 conductors. It needs to be a 4 wire circuit. Example 6/3 NM w/ ground.

 

[Daniel Holzman]

That sure looks like it says Type SE on the cable. I think SE is service entrance cable, as mentioned by the OPS. See http://www.southwire.com/ProductCatalog/XTEInterfaceServlet?contentKey=prodcatsheet273 for Southwire designation of cable types.

Service entrance cable may be aluminum or copper, it might say on the sheath, or you may have to look at the individual wires to see. Aluminum wire is generally rated one level lower than equivalent sized copper, so copper #8 SE wire rated for 75 degrees C is 50A, while aluminum #8 rated for 75 degrees C is 40A (see http://www.cerrowire.com/ampacity-charts).

 

[Speedy Petey]

ANY household cooking appliance rated 12kW or less can be served by a 40A circuit.

 

[Speedy Petey]

Your existing cable is SE, says so right on it. 10.5 kw is approx. 44 amps. You need a 50 amp circuit with #6 conductors. It needs to be a 4 wire circuit. Example 6/3 NM w/ ground.

Like my post says, and household cooking appliance 12kW or less can be served by a 40A circuit.

And an existing circuit CAN be "3-wire" such as this SEU cable. Just changing the appliance does not change the circuit.

Sure, a new 8/3 or 6/3 NM circuit would be ideal, but it's not mandatory.

 

[lostinnc]

Like my post says, and household cooking appliance 12kW or less can be served by a 40A circuit.

And an existing circuit CAN be "3-wire" such as this SEU cable. Just changing the appliance does not change the circuit.

Sure, a new 8/3 or 6/3 NM circuit would be ideal, but it's not mandatory.

To be honest, this is what I was hoping to hear. It sounds like you're saying I can replace the 30 amp breaker with a 40 amp breaker, use the same cable, and install the range, all while still being within code.

Is that what you're saying?

 

[griz]

What does the installation manual call for?

 

[rjniles]

To be honest, this is what I was hoping to hear. It sounds like you're saying I can replace the 30 amp breaker with a 40 amp breaker, use the same cable, and install the range, all while still being within code.

Is that what you're saying?

Is the 8/2 SE cable copper or aluminum conductors? If aluminum you are restricted to 30 amps.

Most SE cable I have seen used in that application uses aluminum conductors,.