replacing an electric self/cleaning oven????????

[gregieg]

hi, i'm new. anywho, i pulled the old oven out of the wall and disconnected the wiring. the new oven came with a a very short electrical cord. but what i was amazed at and was wondering is this.
the wires were a 16 ga. three wire set-up!!! back at the panel, it's a 50 amp circuit and 6 ga. aluminum wire all the way to the junction box! why in the world does the manufacturer use 16 ga. wire in the oven??? the installation instructions do NOT tell you what kind of power the unit draws but obviously no where near 50 amps or those wires would melt down. right? am i crazy. from the looks of this, it doesn't need more than 14 ga. three wire from the panel. what is the deal????? this is why i searched you out here.

where do i find out how i would wire this same type of oven in new construction? i'm putting one in my new kitchen in the next two weeks.

greg

why does the installation instructions state as one of the first steps.....get a licensed electritian to makle all connections...sounds like the manufacturer and the unions are in cahootz!

[imported_Ohm1]

If you can supply us with the amount of watts your Range will be drawing, then this will help us greatly. Check the back of your oven for a tag. It will give you the details on how much power your oven draws. It will specify Watts and volts.


Only reason I can think of-- on why they recommend an electrician--is so you want void your warranty.
Get back to us.

[6pack]

just to add a bit, generally your (any) range will have smaller wiring internally since your only operating a portion of range from that main scorce of wiring.(correct!)Also the appliances have a higher rated wire for this purpose.(heat) On average most ranges will require 50amp(some being larger). I would use #6 thwn for your wiring or a #6/3 w grnd NMB(romex). Also recomend using copper wire(my choice). Manufacturer is not in co-hoots with electricians, there recommendation along with warrenty is there to protect you! Some may DO as you suggeted without asking, this would'nt hurt appliance undersizing wire but it certainly would increase chances of burning your house down. Do as suggested by Ohm 1 and reply with findings and someone will give a hand. Most here would also recommend to those when in doubt of capabilities to call an electrician also. Hey GL2U

[gregieg]

thanks for the replies.....i am about to wire this bugger in and appreciate the help....i will be using a 50 circuit and the appropriate copper wire. i have spoken to an electrician friend and looked through all of the electrical books at lowes. they all say the same thing on what sould be done and that is what i'll do. too much blood sweat and tears in my house to chance a fire to save a nickle on wire. i guess i was just amazed at what is actually inside that appliance versus what supplies it....it's like hooking up a firehose to a water-pick!

greg

thanks again!