240-volt Cook-top Supply Cord not protected

Status
Not open for further replies.
mxlplx00

mxlplx00

Member
Location
Watsonville, California
Occupation
Electrician
Hi, this may be silly but shouldn't the power cord for a 240-volt 20-amp induction cook-top be in flexible metal conduit? It'll be run under the counter in storage space to a 4-S box.

I've attached a photo that the client sent me and I see no way to attach flex to this thing. Maybe put a flex connector on it and strap the flex at the nearest point with no mechanical connection to the appliance? haha

I mean, isn't there something in code that requires this thing to be protected? What a POS? haha

I could use Heavy Duty 3M double sided tape to stick a 4-S box on the bottom of it. /sarcasm. I mean I wouldn't want to drive tech screws into this thing.

Thanks
Marc
 

Attachments

  • Cooktop_01.jpg
    Cooktop_01.jpg
    592.5 KB · Views: 50
All I've ever wired were in flex. Looks like yours is made in china and I don't see a UL sticker anywhere.
I would probably use a piece of 1/2" Carflex (non metallic liquid tight), or Smurf tube to sleeve it in.
 
Thanks Bill, good idea. I have some of both in the shop.
I told him that I couldn't find a manufacture's website for this thing, it seemed too inexpensive and it made me nervous. But it was the only 2 burner that he could find that would fit and was more than 1500-watt 120-volt.

Here's the Amazon page:
 
Honestly, I'd be wary of this one. Some no-name made in China thing - very inexpensive -- $369 on Amazon. Just look at the price of induction cooktops on Best Buy or Lowes or HD. This mad in China thing is 4x-10x less expensive -- can't be right.
 
mxlplx00 said:
Hi, this may be silly but shouldn't the power cord for a 240-volt 20-amp induction cook-top be in flexible metal conduit? It'll be run under the counter in storage space to a 4-S box.
Click to expand...

No. It has to sit on the counter with a plug on the cord. It will have to plug into a SABC counter top receptacle.

You can't wire it directly and you can't run the cord through the counter top.

-Hal
 
To TTHH,
Thanks, I just checked Best buy and they offer 2 like this (small 2-burner, built-in 240-volt, 20-amp) and they go for $1600 (plus).
The one my client bought from Amazon was $150 and has no manufacturers page on the internet, like it doesn't even exist.

I've downloaded all of the specs for the best buy models and will present them tomorrow. Though he told me yesterday that he was cutting the hole in the counter already. I told the guy that this was too cheap to be cutting up your counter for last week. Oh well. It's his rental. These rentals, no one wants to spend any money on them. It's so tiring...

Anyways, it's 3:00am and I have to get up in 3 hours.

Thanks so much. I should have asked here last week.

g'night :)
 
Last edited by a moderator:
hbiss said:
No. It has to sit on the counter with a plug on the cord. It will have to plug into a SABC counter top receptacle.

You can't wire it directly and you can't run the cord through the counter top.

-Hal
Click to expand...

This unit is (improperly) made to be installed.

It doesn't have a cord cap, and is intended to be hard wired.

It requires 240V and can't go on a 120V SABC.

The cord doesn't have an EGC.

The instructions (such as they are, a photo in the Amazon listing) say to hard wire.

I'd install this in a dumpster.

Jon
 
I feel about the same as Winnie about this thing. I read your comment just after I finished putting it in and I got a good laugh out of it. Thanks.

And yes I was very surprised to find that they didn't even bother to include an EGC from the stove. There was a little note on the cord to let me know that it was OK to just cap off the neutral and ground. So I guess that they know about EGCs in Wuhan too and sometimes maybe use them. There was no UL or CE markings anywhere. There was really nothing expect the manufactures name on it Weleceh". Who doesn't seem to exist in the internet.

I didn't see any exposed metal parts on it so maybe they consider it intrinsically safe.

But after relaying my concerns to the client I put it in and he and his wife love it. It boiled a pot of water in 3-minutes. It drew 7.9-amps at full power (one burner). and went down to 6-amps at 50%.

What do I care. I told him to keep an electrical rated fire extinguisher handy.

Thanks for the help.
Marc
 

Attachments

  • IMG_20230422_153614971C.jpg
    IMG_20230422_153614971C.jpg
    428.2 KB · Views: 32
Last edited:
I would have done that but while I did find a NEMA 6-20R (240v 3-prong, 20-amp) I would have to order the 6-20P and the 30-amp version wouldn't clamp tight on that thin cord. 2-wire cord, no neutral or ground.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Top