Wire a Range Power Cord for 3Wire and 4Wire Cords

By Dave Rongey
Summary: Electric Range Installation with a typical 240 Volt electric power cord wiring system for 3-wire and 4-wire configurations.

How to Wire a Kitchen Range Power Cord

3-Wire Configuration
An electric range can be wired to work with either a 3-wire or 4-wire circuit. All new installations require the 4-wire circuit which has a separate insulated neutral wire and the separate ground wire along with the 2-hot wires.

4-Wire Configuration
In this case where the home is older than the new electric range here's what you would have to do: You need to purchase a 3-Wire Range Cord. Remove the 4-Wire Range Cord and install the replacement 3-Wire Range Cord.

Next where the wires are connected to the electric range you will need to re-install the Bonding Jumper which goes between the Grounded Screw and the Neutral Terminal as shown in the 3-WIRE HOOK UP wiring diagram below. The Grounded Screw is attached to the metal frame of the electric range and is usually located under the neutral wire terminal location.

Electrical Wiring for a Four Terminal Range Cord Connection

OLDER HOMES AND ELECTRIC RANGES	NEWER HOMES AND ELECTRIC RANGES
IMPORTANT: The following steps apply ONLY if the range specifically states that it can be wired for either 3-Wire OR 4-Wire Connections. Some new ranges may require a Separate Insulated Neutral Wire AND a Separate Ground Wire for a 4-Wire Connection Only. Be sure to consult your range installation manual specifications for the configuration that is allowed.


NEMA 10-50R 50AMP-125/250VOLT	NEMA 14-50 50AMP-125/250VOLT

This system can be adjusted depending on what your wiring configuration is.
For example you may have one of the following conditions:

converting an old 3-wire outlet
to a new electric range

converting a new 4-wire outlet
to an old electric range

More about Wiring a Range

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Troubleshooting Range Cord Wiring

I'm hooking up an electric range using a 3 prong cord. The terminal block is just as shown in the above drawing and I hooked it up with the cord as shown. I can get power to the range eyes but not to the oven or control circuit for the oven. The range has three wires hooked on the red terminal (two are connected to a single connector) and one single red wire. The black and white wires and ground tab are just like the drawing. The black wire terminal, white wire terminal and the two mounting block screws all seem to be connected as I can get a circuit path when testing with a meter. I don't get a circuit between the red terminal and any other point I try. I have checked the receptacle and power cord and they are both ok. Do you have any other suggestions as to what is wrong. Thanks, BC

Hi BC, It seems that there is power at the unit because the cook top portion is working ok. I would suspect that either an oven control is not working or that maybe a wire has become disconnected. If the range is used and not brand new then I would check all the internal wiring and connections to the controls. If there was a previous owner, I would contact them and get some history about the performance of the range. A continuity meter would be very helpful for testing between the terminals at the cord connection to the controls for the oven.

Questions about Wiring a Range

Question from Don, a Homeowner from Morgantown, West Virginia:
How do I connect the red and black wires for the range?

I have a 3 wire power cord for a new electric range. The wires are not marked as red or black. How do I know how to connect it. I know the middle wire (unmarked as well) goes in the middle.

Dave’s Answer:
Connections for a 240volt Range Circuit.

The circuit power wires for a 240volt range may be used for either of the circuit power wires, so it really does not matter, the power connections will work either way. However make sure to positively identify the ground wire of the range circuit and identify it as the ground wire with green electrical tape and make the ground connection.

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Electrical Tips to Help You Wire it Right
	The Safest Way to Test Electrical Devices and Identify Electric Wires! The Non-Contact Electrical Tester This is a testing tool that I have had in my personal electrical tool pouch for years, and is the first test tool I grab to help identify electrical wiring. It is a Non-contact tester that I use to easily Detect Voltage in Cables, Cords, Circuit Breakers, Lighting Fixtures, Switches, Outlets and Wires. Simply insert the end of the tester into an outlet, lamp socket, or hold the end of the tester against the wire you wish to test. Very handy and easy to use.
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