Expert: Bob Sponaugle - 11/21/2004

Question
I have an old GE drop in stove and am converting to a standard free standing range.  My drop in was hard wired to the circuit breaker and I want to install a 220 volt plug in.  I have a cooper wiring device to do this but am unsure which wire to put where.  The wiring has a red wire a black wire and a white wire.  Also do I just bare a small portion of the wire and screw it under the screws?  Any help would be most appreciated.

Answer
Before you do anything, you have to make sure that the wire is thick enough to run the range.  There is a good chance that it is not.

Check the amp rating of the new appliance, and make sure it is the same as the old appliance. You may need to run a new wire.  If you don't. the wire could become overheated and catch on fire.

If you can use the same wire, generally there should be instructions with the new outlet.  Usually the right and left prongs are hot (red and black) The center top prong is neutral (white), and if you have a fourth prong, it is round.  That is the bare ground wire.

Yes, make sure that the wire is bare where it is under the screw.

I hope this helps.  Feel free to ask any follow up questions.

Bob