Range Help (Quickly Please)

[busman]

The situation: existing branch circuit, #6 CU SE cable from main panel to range, range is hardwired. The new range connection box is too far from the cable end so I was going to install a surface mount 3-wire, 3-pole receptacle and neutral ground the range using the exception in Art. 250.

The question: both the Cooper and P/S surface mount 3 wire receptacles do not bond the neutral terminal to the metal parts of the box. These are the boxes with the plastic front and a metal frame in the back. Do I need to find a way to bond the metal part of the box to the neutral IAW 250-140 (1999) and if so, how would you do it? I was thinking I might be able to use a buchanan crimp an a short #10 jumper to a ground screw if the bond is necessary.

The job is this morning so thanks for any help you can provide.

Mark

[ January 14, 2006, 07:21 AM: Message edited by: busman ]

 

[iwire]

Re: Range Help (Quickly Please)

Strictly speaking you can not extend that circuit.

If you relocate the existing it is not existing it is a new installation and needs four wire.

But if the AHJ is good with that part I would say do not worry about bonding the metal back frame as it is not exposed once screwed to the wall or floor.

 

[busman]

Re: Range Help (Quickly Please)

Bob,

I am not extending the circuit. The existing SE cable runs about 10" thru the floor - enough to put a surface box at the floor-wall junction, but not long enough to direct wire the new range. If I understand the exception in 250, it is for "existing branch circuit installations" and the connections can be changed. Thanks for the quick reply.

Mark

[ January 14, 2006, 07:25 AM: Message edited by: busman ]

 

[gvmv]

Re: Range Help (Quickly Please)

Isn't the nuetral ground for the range, actually on the range? Since you are just changing the range from hard wired to cord connected? You had 3 wires to begin with, that would mean the range is already nuetral grounded, just putting a cord on and putting in a surface mount plug problem solved. Personally I would never bond a nuetral in any type of junction box, just seems like a bad habit. To easy to do this "Cause you always do it" and end up with parrallel paths back to panel, which from my understanding is what you don't every want on branch circuits. Since most cord connected ranges have a jumper to switch between 3 and 4 wire cords, don't see how this would be any different from that.