ECN Forum Forums General Topics of the Trade General Discussion Area Hard Wire Ranges

Even in Chicago, they let you cord and plug connect the range or dryer.

I have seen some direct connected. Usually because the contractor screwed up the rough, and put the outlet too high on the wall to get the range all the way back.

Apparently I'm in my own little world on this one: I see range receptacles fail all the time. A combination of old receptacle, too short a cord, and tenants who find it necessary to move their range much more than necessary puts tension on the cord and plug which causes the receptacle to break.

For some reason in the poor sections of Richmond (where I'm lucky enough to work) this a constant problem. When they design housing projects I think they might just be better off using long hardwired whips that go straight into a box.

But maybe I shouldn't complain because these are four-wire ranges and it gives me a chance to remove the bonding-jumper and install the cord connector, both of which are always respectively present and missing.

Whee.

-John

Now that I think about it, u guys are right about little chance of losing tension... I didn't stop and think that it is constant plugging/unplugging.

Also, if it is any consulation about the home center thing, I've been written up twice because I REFUSED to sell to customers who told me they weren't worried about doing things to code and want to "just get it working." One thing that blows my mind is we're not allowed (by corporate HQ) to sell code books, because of liability... some things just blow my mind.

"Richmond (where I'm lucky enough to work)"

Richmond, VA??? Me, too! Competitors or friends? I prefer the latter.

Then you're in luck, because it's definitely not the former. For the moment I do maintenance work, but I'm trying to get the heck out of this and back into electrical. If I'm lucky, maybe I'll be a competitor soon.

-John

[This message has been edited by BigJohn (edited 05-30-2005).]

PE,

You might be interested to learn that over here in England hard-wiring is the norm for ranges, and our "code" specified that there must be an isolating switch located nearby.

The one thing I find bad about the setup though is that the usual connection method just employs a length of our equivalent of Romex to connect from the wall to the range.

For a free-standing, movable range, I feel it is unsuitable, although there have been discussions about this on U.K. forums and opinion seems to be divided.

John, give me a call some time. Contact info 1n profile.