{"id":6944,"date":"2022-04-27T08:20:45","date_gmt":"2022-04-27T08:20:45","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.rgelectric.net\/?p=6944"},"modified":"2022-04-27T13:45:29","modified_gmt":"2022-04-27T13:45:29","slug":"how-to-install-4-prong-range-cord","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.rgelectric.net\/blog\/how-to-install-4-prong-range-cord\/","title":{"rendered":"How to Install a 4-Prong Range Cord"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

How to Install a 4-Prong Range Cord<\/h1>\n\n\n\n

Depending on when your home was built, it would have either a 4 -prong or a 3-prong wiring system. However, if you are moving to a new home with 4-prong receptacles and you have a three-prong electrical range, you will need to install a 4-prong range cord to accommodate the required range wiring. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

In this article, RG Electric<\/a> will explain how to install a four-prong cord. The good news is that the process is very simple and takes only 15 minutes. However, before we dig into that, let\u2019s look at the difference between the two wiring systems, why you need to install a four-prong range cord, and the advantages of a four-wiring system.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

4-Prong Receptacles and 3-Prong Receptacles<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

You might be wondering about the difference between the two types of receptacles. Here is the point. Homes with three-prong wiring have receptacles with three prongs \u2013 two on the side are hot wires, and one below in the center is a neutral\/ground wire.    <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Houses or apartments with four-prong wiring have receptacles with four prongs \u2013 two hot wires and two separate wires for ground and neutral. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you look at your three-prong range (in the terminal block), you will see that a wire in the middle, the neutral one, is connected to a ground strap; thus, one neutral wire provides a grounding path through this strap. But a four-prong cord has a separate ground wire, which is green. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Why You Need it<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

NEC\u2019s (National Electrical Code) requirement from the 1996 edition affects electric ranges and clothes dryers. In a nutshell, it says that homes must have four-wire circuits for these appliances. Yet, it also allows using three-wire cords because many people still live in older homes. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you are moving to an older home and have a four-prong range, you should never attempt to change the range plug to connect it to a three-prong wiring system. In this case, you have to rewire your range to a three-prong cord. <\/p>\n\n\n\n