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The heating elements in ranges are constantly turning on and off. For the cooktop portion this is controlled by the hi-low control. If you turn the control to low it turns the element on for a short time and then off for a long time then back on for short time to maintain the low temperature. If you set the control to hi it will turn the element on for a longer period of time then off for a short time then back on. The over element runs the longest time during the initial heat up of the oven but after that it normally is only on for very short periods of time. If you were to measure the load on a range circuit the only time you would ever see it draw the nameplate rating is if the oven and all burner elements were turned on from a cold start but this would only last a very short time before the elements started cycling on and off.
A perfect example of where the NEC permits loads in excess of the branch circuit conductors ratings would be for welders (Article 630)
Curt
