How to Install a Stove With 220 Line

Locate two unused spaces in the electrical service panel on one side or the other column of circuit breakers. Ultimately, the spaces must be adjacent to each other so it will be able to support a "double-wide" circuit breaker that is generally required for a 240 V circuit.^[1]

Switch the main disconnect to the OFF position.^{[2] [3]} The main disconnect switch is usually at the very top or very bottom of most electrical service panels, but not always. The main disconnect switch should be the largest value circuit breaker in the panel. This switch will probably be a double (or in some cases a quadruple) wide switch and be rated at 100, 200 or more amps. Leave the remaining circuit breakers in the ON position. All lights and power at outlets should now be off.

Verify that the power is off by checking light fixtures in the space.^[4]

Remove the cover on the electrical service panel. Recheck power with a meter, 120 V test light or other tester rated for 120 V by touching one probe to an unpainted surface (scratch through existing paint if needed) of the panel while touching the remaining probe to the terminals of several circuit breakers that are in the ON position. Do not proceed unless power is not present at all breakers. Only the main disconnect switch should have power on it's terminals.

Locate or create a space wide enough for the new circuit breaker. If there is enough space to install the circuit breaker, skip to the next step. Otherwise, inspect the panel and assess your ability to move breakers up and / or down to create a space large enough for the breaker to fit. Some older services have two "single- wide" circuit breakers installed adjacent to each other that provide power to a single "three wire" cable (a three wire cable has a bare or green wire and three insulated wires: white, black and red). The red wire is the indicator of a three wire cable. If there is a red wire connected to a single circuit breaker, trace it back to the cable from which it originates. Once located, trace the black wire from that same cable to the point it connects to a circuit breaker. Most likely, this is the breaker directly above or below the breaker that has the red wire. Be sure to move these two single breakers as a pair. Do not create a space between these two circuit breakers to install the new circuit breaker. Do not move just one breaker to the opposite side of the panel, they must be considered as a "matched pair" only.

Remove circuit breakers by moving the switch handle to the OFF position and pushing on the handle away from the middle of the panel. The circuit breaker will pop off the bus bar in the center of the panel and then it may be pulled off the side rail.

Install the appropriately sized new circuit circuit breaker into the panel. Most circuit breakers are designed to be clipped on the side rail by aligning and pressing down at the terminal end or have a tang to engage a slot on the rail. The tang must be engaged first, and then pressed onto the bus bar in the center of the panel. This is the same as the removal procedure, but in reverse order.

Remove a pre-punched knock-out ("KO") from the side of the electrical panel that is the same size as the connector. Place the blade of a screwdriver at the inside-most ring and strike sharply with pliers or hammer. Carefully twist out the bent metal and continue to enlarge the opening until the circumference required by the connector is met.

Install the connector into the opening from the outside and spin the lock nut over the threads from inside. Hold the connector so that the screws will be readily accessible as you tighten the locknut. Once tight, drive it tight by placing the flat edge of a screwdriver in a valley of the locknut and rap sharply with pliers or hammer until tight.

Unroll the cable on the floor to reduce kinking during installation. The cable size and type, like the circuit breaker value, is determined by the appliance's or device's electrical requirements. A quick rule of thumb (there are variables in the Code that adjust these values up and down) is a #14 wire will supply a 12 amp load. A #12 is good for 16 amps, a #10 for 24 amps, #8 for 32 amps and #6 for 40 amps when copper cables are used. Aluminum cables can be used instead but often have additional requirements and slightly lower capacities. If installing a circuit to supply a typical 220 Volt / 30 Amp electric dryer, a cable with #10 copper conductors is required; a 220 Volt / 40 Amp electric stove would require use a cable with #6 aluminum conductors (a cable with copper conductors of this size tends to be very expensive). Local electrical code, conditions, etc. supersedes wire sizes mentioned above.

Drill holes centered in framing members, etc. between the electrical service panel and the location of the range. Use a bit large enough to allow the cable to slide easily through. 1-1/8" would be a good choice. If old work, you will need to fish or snake the cable in the voids of walls, etc. instead.

Thread the cable through the drilled holes beginning either at the electrical panel or any point in the middle (thread in both directions).

Determine where to drill behind the range to allow the cable to enter the space for the range outlet by inspecting or measuring the rear of the range. Only a space wide enough for the cable - that will not result in contact of the cable with the range frame, drawers etc. will be needed.

Pass the range cable through this last hole behind the range. Leave several feet (or more) of the range cable in this area

Strip the outer jacket. Remove 6" of the jacket and any plastic shielding from around the conductors.

Wire the outlet. Inspect the range outlet. Install the supplied cable connector to the range outlet with the hardware provided. It will be easier to wire the outlet if the connector is installed into the bottom of the outlet rather than the back. The bottom installation allows the cable to be easily passed into the outlet and wired without having to bend the conductors 90 degrees. Either way will work, one is just a little harder to work than the other. Lay the cable into the outlet by first lining up the jacket so that it will just be visible into the outlet body. Arrange the conductors to lay into the terminals. The black and red conductors will land in the gold terminals (it does not matter which of these two conductors land in the left or right gold terminals), the white conductor will land into the silver terminal and the uninsulated conductor will land in the green terminal. Mark them so that the conductor will extend just slightly beyond the terminal (1/16" max.)

Cut the conductors for the outlet. Cut them one at a time as marked previously to allow the 1/16" extension beyond the terminal. Carefully strip the cable as per the strip gauge indicated on the range outlet. Be sure to remove all insulation from the part of the conductor that will be in the terminal.^[5] Use extreme care to not nick any of the conductors. A nicked conductor must be cut back and redone. Since the working area in the outlet is so small, all the conductors will have to be re-cut to length and stripped over again.

Apply oxide inhibitor. If using aluminum cable, apply a generous coating of aluminum oxide inhibitor to the individual stripped portion of the conductors and into the wire compression terminals of the range outlet (the amount of inhibitor should not be so much that it drips from the conductor or terminal). Application of oxide inhibitor to aluminum conductors is a code requirement, and must not be skipped.^[6] Copper conductors however, do not require application of any oxide inhibitors.

Secure the range outlet to the wall or baseboard in a location where when the range cord is connected, will not interfere with placement of the range and closing of any range drawers. Inspect the back of the range to get an idea as which locations will meet this requirement. Often times, removing the drawer will allow access to the wall - where it may be marked with a pencil, etc. Install the outlet cover and press any excess range cable back into the hole.

Remove excess slack from the cable. Allow for 10" or so of slack available (should it need for later use - the cable can still be used), and pull the rest back to the electrical panel.

Route the cable to the connector mounted in the electric service panel. Mark the cable jacket where it will be clamped at the locknut side of the connector. Determine how much cable will be needed to a.)connect to the new circuit breaker, b.) connect to the ground bar, and c.) connect to the neutral bar in the panel. Add 2 feet (0.6 m) or so this distance and cut the cable to this length when measured from the mark on the cable jacket.

Install the cable into the electric service panel through the cable connector. Remove the jacket and any plastic shielding from around the conductors. Untwist each of the four individual conductors.lay the cables in the electric service panel to where each will be terminated.^[7]

Connect to the circuit breaker. Locate an existing red wire in the panel - in either column of circuit breakers. Determine if it is connected to an ODD or EVEN numbered circuit breaker. The new red wire will be connected the same way - if existing red is EVEN then the new red will be connected to EVEN (or if existing is odd connect new to odd). Determine if the top terminal of the new circuit breaker (when installed) is the even or odd terminal. Cut to length needed, strip and install the red wire and black wires under the appropriate terminal after applying the oxide inhibitor compound to the stripped portion of the conductors.

Connect to neutral and ground terminals. Most homes with a single electric service panel have one bar to provide both neutral and ground conductor terminations. If the electric service panel is a sub-panel, there should be separate bars for neutral and ground terminations. It is easy to determine, but very important to connect correctly.

• ONE BAR If there is one bar in the electric service panel, and both the bare AND white insulated wires are connected to it, bring each of the bare and white insulated range conductors into separate unused terminals.
  

  {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/3\/38\/Install-a-Stove-With-220-Line-Step-24Bullet1.jpg\/v4-460px-Install-a-Stove-With-220-Line-Step-24Bullet1.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/3\/38\/Install-a-Stove-With-220-Line-Step-24Bullet1.jpg\/aid386192-v4-728px-Install-a-Stove-With-220-Line-Step-24Bullet1.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":329,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":520,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by-nc-sa\/3.0\/\">Creative Commons<\/a><br>\n<\/p><p><br \/>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
• TWO BARS If there are two bars AND one bar has all bare and/or green wires connected AND the other bar has all white wires connected, be sure to do the same - bring the range white insulated conductor to the bar with existing white conductors and the range bare to the bar with existing bare / green conductors.
  

  {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/4\/42\/Install-a-Stove-With-220-Line-Step-24Bullet2.jpg\/v4-460px-Install-a-Stove-With-220-Line-Step-24Bullet2.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/4\/42\/Install-a-Stove-With-220-Line-Step-24Bullet2.jpg\/aid386192-v4-728px-Install-a-Stove-With-220-Line-Step-24Bullet2.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":329,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":520,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by-nc-sa\/3.0\/\">Creative Commons<\/a><br>\n<\/p><p><br \/>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
• BAR AND LUGS The last configuration (and least likely to be found) is one bar with only white insulated conductors and one or more "lugs" secured to the panel back or side that have all the bare and green conductors connected. If this is the case, the range white insulated conductor will connect to the bar into an unused terminal as above, and a new lug for the range bare will be needed. This lug will have to be secured with a machine screw into a tapped hole. Sheet metal screws are not permitted to secure lugs.
  

  {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/e\/eb\/Install-a-Stove-With-220-Line-Step-24Bullet3.jpg\/v4-460px-Install-a-Stove-With-220-Line-Step-24Bullet3.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/e\/eb\/Install-a-Stove-With-220-Line-Step-24Bullet3.jpg\/aid386192-v4-728px-Install-a-Stove-With-220-Line-Step-24Bullet3.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":329,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":520,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by-nc-sa\/3.0\/\">Creative Commons<\/a><br>\n<\/p><p><br \/>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
• Notice in the pictures below that there is only one wire per terminal screw. Never terminate multiple conductors under a single terminal.
  

  {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/3\/3a\/Install-a-Stove-With-220-Line-Step-24Bullet4.jpg\/v4-460px-Install-a-Stove-With-220-Line-Step-24Bullet4.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/3\/3a\/Install-a-Stove-With-220-Line-Step-24Bullet4.jpg\/aid386192-v4-728px-Install-a-Stove-With-220-Line-Step-24Bullet4.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":329,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":520,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by-nc-sa\/3.0\/\">Creative Commons<\/a><br>\n<\/p><p><br \/>\n<\/p><\/div>"}

Secure the range cable with staples where exposed as needed for support and so that there is no less than 36" between supports (every other joist or stud). Cables run through bored holes floor joists, rafters and those laying on ceiling strapping are considered supported and do not need to be stapled. Secure the cable within 18" of any electrical enclosure or box it enters.

Remove the blank plates from the cover that are now occupying the place of the new circuit breaker. Check for any tools, parts or other foreign objects accidentally left in the electric service panel.

Secure the cover to the electric service panel and set the new circuit breaker to OFF.

Stand to the side of the panel (do not stand directly in front) and move the main service disconnect handle to ON.

While still to the side, move the new circuit breaker handle to ON.

Check for proper wiring. Using a voltmeter, check the new range outlet for proper voltages.^[8]

• Check for 240V between the two flat blades openings that are parallel to each other.
  

  {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/a\/a7\/Install-a-Stove-With-220-Line-Step-30Bullet1.jpg\/v4-460px-Install-a-Stove-With-220-Line-Step-30Bullet1.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/a\/a7\/Install-a-Stove-With-220-Line-Step-30Bullet1.jpg\/aid386192-v4-728px-Install-a-Stove-With-220-Line-Step-30Bullet1.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":329,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":520,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by-nc-sa\/3.0\/\">Creative Commons<\/a><br>\n<\/p><p><br \/>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
• Check for 120V from the round pin opening, to each of the two previously tested parallel openings.
  

  {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/f\/f3\/Install-a-Stove-With-220-Line-Step-30Bullet2.jpg\/v4-460px-Install-a-Stove-With-220-Line-Step-30Bullet2.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/f\/f3\/Install-a-Stove-With-220-Line-Step-30Bullet2.jpg\/aid386192-v4-728px-Install-a-Stove-With-220-Line-Step-30Bullet2.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":329,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":520,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by-nc-sa\/3.0\/\">Creative Commons<\/a><br>\n<\/p><p><br \/>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
• Check for 120V from the flat blade opening opposite the round pin opening to each of the flat blade parallel slots first tested.
  

  {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/1\/15\/Install-a-Stove-With-220-Line-Step-30Bullet3.jpg\/v4-460px-Install-a-Stove-With-220-Line-Step-30Bullet3.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/1\/15\/Install-a-Stove-With-220-Line-Step-30Bullet3.jpg\/aid386192-v4-728px-Install-a-Stove-With-220-Line-Step-30Bullet3.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":329,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":520,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by-nc-sa\/3.0\/\">Creative Commons<\/a><br>\n<\/p><p><br \/>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
• Finally, check for 0V between the round pin opening and the flat blade opening opposite it.
  

  {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/d\/d1\/Install-a-Stove-With-220-Line-Step-30Bullet4.jpg\/v4-460px-Install-a-Stove-With-220-Line-Step-30Bullet4.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/d\/d1\/Install-a-Stove-With-220-Line-Step-30Bullet4.jpg\/aid386192-v4-728px-Install-a-Stove-With-220-Line-Step-30Bullet4.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":329,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":520,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by-nc-sa\/3.0\/\">Creative Commons<\/a><br>\n<\/p><p><br \/>\n<\/p><\/div>"}

If any measurements are not exactly as described, turn the new circuit breaker OFF and check the wiring of the range outlet, and if necessary the wiring in the electric service panel as well. Correct any improperly wired connections and test again.

Re-connecting the range. After the new outlet is wired correctly, shut off the breaker, then push the range plug into the outlet. Set the range into place.