Electric Range

[Buzz]

Can I use #6 copper romex, stranded, 3-conductor w/groung on a 50 amp breaker to power an electric range? The range calls for an 40 amp circuit.

[imported_Ron]

If the range manuf calls for a 40A breaker, then you cannot use anything else.

[Wgoodrich]

Check the wording of your manufacturer's installation instructions. If the instructions say "minimum circuit size" then you may use the 50 or 60 amp rated branch circuit. If the instructions says "maximum circuit size" then Ron is correct.

Good Luck

Wg

[Buzz]

WG....

Is the #6 copper stranded wire the right size wire for a 50 amp breaker?

[Wgoodrich]

To answer your question in short YES you may install a 60 amp breaker on a 6 awg copper wire whether stranded or solid. However there are several rules that apply see below for an explaination in detail;

Table 310.16 says that 6 awg copper whether stranded or solid is rated at 55 amps. Article 240.6 list normal size breakers and this 55 ampacity rating lands between 50 amp and 60 amps. Article 240.4.B says generally that if a branch circuits or feeders are rated at less than 800 amps and the ampacity rating of the conductor does not match that listed in 240.6 normal overcurrent device ratings then the next higher overcurrent device listed is allowed to rate and protect that branch circuit or feeder. In this case you are dealing with a single range on a branch circuit 240.6 list either 50 amps or 60 amps therefore you may protect this conductor at the next higher listed breaker size being 60 amp breaker or you may protect this conductor with a 50 amp breaker.

Then 210.19.A.3 says that your range may be sized using 210.19.A.3 or table 220.19 note 4 your single range to be served by a branch circuit conductor at least equal to the rating of the range but not smaller than a 40 amp rated branch circuit. Then if you refer to Table 220.19 note 4 you would have to again size your single range at least an 8 awg copper branch circuit if not over 12 KW rated range. Again an 8 awg copper branch circuit woud be 40 amp rated as a minimum.

Nowhere in the NEC lists a maximum branch circuit rating for a range. However it is possible that the installation instructions of the manufacuturer may list a maximum branch circuit rating. Then you would refer back to what Ron said and you would have to use the 8 awg copper or 6 awg aluminum branch circuit rated as required as a maximum branch circuit rating size.

Be careful what the installation instructions say. Many people read that it said maximum of 40 amp branch circuit rating to serve their range in the manufacturer's instructions when it actually says minimum ampacity rating of 40 amp branch circuit.

If the manufacturer's recommendation says maximum branch circuit rating then you must follow those instructions per Article 110.3.B of the NEC requiring you to install wiring following the listing and labeling of the product.

Hope you enjoyed the short and the long of things in answer to your question.

Good Luck

Wg

[Buzz]

Warren.......You The Man! Thank you so very much for your informative reply......Buzz

[Wgoodrich]

Thank you and good luck with your project

Wg