Cord for Lab Oven rating conundrum

[jlgreen]

I have a lab oven with specs of 115V, 18.2A. The manufacturer installed power cord for the oven is rated for 20A. I'm thinking the cord is not sufficient for this load, however, the manufacturer only supplies 15A or 20A cord. The oven is on a dedicated 30A circuit with an outlet rated for 30A.

I would like advice on whether to change out this power cord for a higher rated cord. I'm leaning towards yes, but with the manufacturer options available I am second guessing myself. Thank you in advance for your help

 

[John120/240]

If the cord came installed from the factory I would think it would be the right one for the intended use. Does the oven have a NRTL mark on it ? If the oven bears a UL or FM mark then they would have tested it for reliability.

 

[petersonra]

I have a lab oven with specs of 115V, 18.2A. The manufacturer installed power cord for the oven is rated for 20A. I'm thinking the cord is not sufficient for this load, however, the manufacturer only supplies 15A or 20A cord. The oven is on a dedicated 30A circuit with an outlet rated for 30A.

I would like advice on whether to change out this power cord for a higher rated cord. I'm leaning towards yes, but with the manufacturer options available I am second guessing myself. Thank you in advance for your help

it is a 20A cord with an 18A load. Why would it be insufficient?

I am not sure you can plug it in to a 30A receptacle though.

 

[JDBrown]

You need to remember that an oven is (almost always) a NONcontinuous load. The heating element(s) will cycle on and off to maintain a constant desired temperature, so even if the oven is "on" all day long, it's actually drawing its rated current for a very short amount of time.

Based on what you've said here, it sounds to me like you need a 20A dedicated circuit and receptacle.

Was the 30A circuit/receptacle specified by the oven manufacturer, or was it a design decision made by the EE or EC? If it was a design decision, it looks like the design just needs to be changed to accommodate the actual requirements of the oven. If it was specified by the oven manufacturer, then they need to get their act together and make their specs and their actual product match. I would seriously consider going with a different manufacturer if that was the case. Since it sounds like the oven has already been purchased, I'd be on the phone with the manufacturer's tech department until the issue is resolved, and then I'd make sure to get their official solution in writing just in case something goes wrong down the line.