Extension cord for electric stoves

[UStralian]

I'm an electrical engineer designing products to work with domestic stoves and ovens. A few years ago, we were advised (by exactly who escapes me now, but it may have been UL or our compliance consultants) that you can not, under any circumstances, use any kind of extension cord for a stove or oven. I've taken this on faith, and avoided developing things that may require extension cords. But now I'm being challenged on this particular point, because we have a situation where a very short (<2ft) extension cord would be necessary. The problem is that the physical location of the 14-50R outlet doesn't leave enough space for our installation, so we need to relocate the receptacle slightly without messing with the existing wiring. We're not using it to relocate the range, change connector types or number of wires, mess with the gauge/rating of wires or anything like that.

My assurances that "you just can't do that" aren't carrying much weight, so I need a code or UL standard reference to back it up, but I haven't yet been able to find it. I've only got the free access to the online NEC, which is totally unnavigable. It may have been in a UL standard, but if so I can't find which one. The fact that such products don't exist commercially, except as "RV power cords for campsites" on Amazon, tends to indicate that you can't do it. But I need to know exactly what rule stops you from doing it.

So, can you tell me why (with references), why you're not allowed to use an extension cord for a stove? If it's just a maximum length issue (eg 6ft from the outlet) could you work around that with a 4ft appliance cord and a 1ft extension?

 

[retirede]

Don't have a code book handy, but I believe there is a section that essentially states that an extension cord cannot be used in lieu of permanent wiring. So if your installation is not temporary, I'd say it is a violation. I'm sure others will chime in with the code section.

 

[user 100]

I'm an electrical engineer designing products to work with domestic stoves and ovens. A few years ago, we were advised (by exactly who escapes me now, but it may have been UL or our compliance consultants) that you can not, under any circumstances, use any kind of extension cord for a stove or oven. I've taken this on faith, and avoided developing things that may require extension cords. But now I'm being challenged on this particular point, because we have a situation where a very short (<2ft) extension cord would be necessary. The problem is that the physical location of the 14-50R outlet doesn't leave enough space for our installation, so we need to relocate the receptacle slightly without messing with the existing wiring. We're not using it to relocate the range, change connector types or number of wires, mess with the gauge/rating of wires or anything like that.

My assurances that "you just can't do that" aren't carrying much weight, so I need a code or UL standard reference to back it up, but I haven't yet been able to find it. I've only got the free access to the online NEC, which is totally unnavigable. It may have been in a UL standard, but if so I can't find which one. The fact that such products don't exist commercially, except as "RV power cords for campsites" on Amazon, tends to indicate that you can't do it. But I need to know exactly what rule stops you from doing it.

So, can you tell me why (with references), why you're not allowed to use an extension cord for a stove? If it's just a maximum length issue (eg 6ft from the outlet) could you work around that with a 4ft appliance cord and a 1ft extension?

Do you want to know if you can use an ext cord with a range? The only bar NEC-wise AFAIK to doing that is the instructions that come w/ the appliance- if manufacturer says you can't, then you can't- see 110.(3)(B).

Another thing to consider is that SOME of those range ext cords aren't UL listed, but some are. Don't know much about the UL standard/number for ext cords- maybe one of the other members will pipe up

As far as the length issue you mentioned, the NEC only says that recs for specific appliances must be within 6ft of said appliance(s)- see 210.50(C).

IF you are talking about using the ext cord (aka a cordset) for permanent wiring, not allowed- see 400.12
Sec 590 touches on temporary installations and cords

If you really don't want to use a cord , why not just get an electrician to put a JBOX @ loc of existing rec and feed a new rec @ loc that will be closer to the range?

 

[zbang]

Well... we have these-

400.7 Uses Permitted.
(A) Uses. Flexible cords and cables shall be used only for the following:
(8) Appliances where the fastening means and mechanical connections are specifically designed to permit ready removal for maintenance and repair, and the appliance is intended or identified for flexible cord connection

400.8 Uses Not Permitted. Unless specifically permitted in 400.7, flexible cords and cables shall not be used for the following:
(1) As a substitute for the fixed wiring of a structure

I don't see anything in 422 (Appliances) that would be relevant.

You can get 6' range cords if that would help, and I've seen listings for 10' ones but they were only 3-wire.