[skd]

Hi,
I am moving into a house that had a dryer outlet where the stove is supposed to go. As far as I know no dryer was ever installed there. The double breaker is 60 amp.

I removed the outlet cover and found 3 wires : white, black , bare, but no red!

How do I make it work so I can plug my stove?

(The stove is a newer one and has a 4 prong cord , but I can change that if needed)

Thanks for your help!

 

[HouseHelper]

Hi,
I am moving into a house that had a dryer outlet where the stove is supposed to go. As far as I know no dryer was ever installed there. The double breaker is 60 amp.

I removed the outlet cover and found 3 wires : white, black , bare, but no red!

How do I make it work so I can plug my stove?

(The stove is a newer one and has a 4 prong cord , but I can change that if needed)

Thanks for your help!

The only way to properly wire this for the stove is to replace the wiring with 6/3 w/g cable and replace the breaker with a 50A. (Alternatively you could use 8/3 and 40A). The white/black/bare has never been an acceptable way to wire a stove (or dryer).

 

[BowDown]

What is the neutral wire there for in 4-wire installs?

 

[Jim Port]

It returns the neutral current from the control circuits and light bulbs.

 

[BowDown]

Gotcha so it basically provides the appliance with 240v and 120v...

 

[J. V.]

Dryers and ranges are rated 120/240. That is why you have a neutral. Even though the range may operate without one, it is required in NEW installations.

 

[220/221]

Your dryer must be on a 30 amp breaker. The existing wire is technically not proper for a range or a dryer. Type SE cable has a bare ground/neutral and is acceptable. Type NM is just about the same thing but its not legal.

Personally, if it was in my place, I wouldn't hesitate to use it. If I was doing any renovation work, I would replace it and make it legal.

If you do change to a 3 wire pigtail on your range, be sure the bonding strap in in place. It ties the center terminal (the bare neutral/ground) to the metal frame.

Even though the range may operate without one, it is required.

In new installations.

Existing can use the 3 wire system.

 

[InPhase277]

Your dryer must be on a 30 amp breaker. The existing wire is technically not proper for a range or a dryer. Type SE cable has a bare ground/neutral and is acceptable. Type NM is just about the same thing but its not legal.

Personally, if it was in my place, I wouldn't hesitate to use it. If I was doing any renovation work, I would replace it and make it legal.

If you do change to a 3 wire pigtail on your range, be sure the bonding strap in in place. It ties the center terminal (the bare neutral/ground) to the metal frame.

Except the fact that the bare neutral in type SE cable is the same size (or almost) as the circuit conductors.

 

[220/221]

True but, how much current does it carry?

To me, the dangerous part is the possibility of the appliance carrying current if the neutral/ground opens. That could happen with any 3wire installation.