Electricians: Range wiring and breaker sizing code

[LD1]

While I don't actually know what the receptical is rated for. If the issue is a 50a recep. On a 60a breaker, why didn't the report or the inspector tell me that. If that were the case we wouldn't be having this discussion.

His justification was merely that the range calls for a 40-50a circuit so it cannot have a 60a breaker.

Let me ask this...if the range just said requires 40a, but was on a 50a circuit with 6ga and 50a plug. Would that be "okay"

 

[B7510HSD]

While I don't actually know what the receptical is rated for. If the issue is a 50a recep. On a 60a breaker, why didn't the report or the inspector tell me that. If that were the case we wouldn't be having this discussion.

His justification was merely that the range calls for a 40-50a circuit so it cannot have a 60a breaker.

Let me ask this...if the range just said requires 40a, but was on a 50a circuit with 6ga and 50a plug. Would that be "okay"

I would say that would be fine as it doesn't exceed what the circuit is rated at..50amps But as far as I know most range receptacles are rated at 50amps..thus the 60 amp breaker issue..the breaker would allow it to draw more than the receptacle was rated at..thus causing heat and possibly a fire..that would be my take BUT I am not an electrician or inspector!

 

[JPRambo]

Let me ask this...if the range just said requires 40a, but was on a 50a circuit with 6ga and 50a plug. Would that be "okay"

NO!! still needs to have the breaker changed. The breaker needs to be the size of the weakest link. In this senario it is the range at 40 amp.

 

[LD1]

NO!! still needs to have the breaker changed. The breaker needs to be the size of the weakest link. In this senario it is the range at 40 amp.

Again, I ask why?

I hate to beat a dead horse, but plugging a range into a 50A circuit, that only "needs" 40a, is no different than plugging a 0.5A lamp into a 15A circuit.

I agree, that the breaker needs sized to the weakest link in the hardwired "circuit". But a range tapping into that circuit is no different than any other 120v appliances that tap into 15A or 20A circuits.

And then there is the issue like with my stove,,,,,,it says word for word, 40 OR 50 amp. Now which one is it?

 

[DarkBlack]

NO!! still needs to have the breaker changed. The breaker needs to be the size of the weakest link. In this senario it is the range at 40 amp.

He can use a 50A breaker

 

[DarkBlack]

Again, I ask why?

I hate to beat a dead horse, but plugging a range into a 50A circuit, that only "needs" 40a, is no different than plugging a 0.5A lamp into a 15A circuit.

I agree, that the breaker needs sized to the weakest link in the hardwired "circuit". But a range tapping into that circuit is no different than any other 120v appliances that tap into 15A or 20A circuits.

And then there is the issue like with my stove,,,,,,it says word for word, 40 OR 50 amp. Now which one is it?

Look at your receptacle. I bet it says 50A, if so put in a 50 amp breaker.

 

[kenmac]

Okay, I'll buy that. I am not in compliance with the NEC via not being in compliance with the MFG directions.

That would be correct. As I mentioned in an previous post. The codes I deal with HVAC/GAS codes will not (that I'm aware of) over ride MFG. installation instructions, and many times the code will refer you to the MFG installation instructions. I have had to change many breakers when Replacing HVAC units due to the fact the new system requires a different size breaker / fuse.

 

[Inspector507]

Again, I ask why?

I hate to beat a dead horse, but plugging a range into a 50A circuit, that only "needs" 40a, is no different than plugging a 0.5A lamp into a 15A circuit.

I agree, that the breaker needs sized to the weakest link in the hardwired "circuit". But a range tapping into that circuit is no different than any other 120v appliances that tap into 15A or 20A circuits.

And then there is the issue like with my stove,,,,,,it says word for word, 40 OR 50 amp. Now which one is it?

And you most certainly can plug a 40A range into a 50A receptacle/circuit. Yours even says 40A or 50A, so plug away.

But you do not have a 50A circuit until you change out the 60A breaker.

 

[JPRambo]

NEC ARTICLE 422 APPLIANCES

422-4(a) Individual circuit The rating of an individual branch circuit shall not be less than the marked rating of the appliance or the marked rating of an appliance having combined loads in section 422-32 (appliances consisting of motors and other loads)
422-5 Branch circuit overload protection Branch circuits shall be protected in accordance with section240-3 (conductors shall be protected according to their ampacities).
If a protective device rating is marked on an appliance, the branch circuit overcurrent device rating shall not exceed the protective device rating marked on the appliance.

 

[quicksandfarmer]

Again, I ask why?

I hate to beat a dead horse, but plugging a range into a 50A circuit, that only "needs" 40a, is no different than plugging a 0.5A lamp into a 15A circuit.

I agree, that the breaker needs sized to the weakest link in the hardwired "circuit". But a range tapping into that circuit is no different than any other 120v appliances that tap into 15A or 20A circuits.

And then there is the issue like with my stove,,,,,,it says word for word, 40 OR 50 amp. Now which one is it?

The NEC gives a mulligan to 15 and 20 amp circuits. There's so many of them out there, for the most part they work OK, it would cost a fortune to require that every device plugged into an outlet be capable of 20 amps.

Think about it: the logical thing would be to say, yes, every device on the circuit has to be capable of handling the current of the circuit breaker. For a dedicated circuit that's not unreasonable. For general purpose circuits it would mean that everything would have to be 12ga wire, because 15 and 20 amps use the same outlets. More practical just to wave the magic wand and say that low-amperage circuits aren't a problem.