“Is there any reason you can't take the old electric chord off of the oven you are replacing and use it on this new one? And why in the world is a range the only product that doesn't come with its own electric chord. $27 come on????”
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Code changes, and safety. Ranges require a lot of power--more than just about anything else in your home, which is why they have their own hefty breaker in your box--and cords are the most likely point of failure as they suffer the most disturbance as an appliance is used (especially if the range is pulled out or moved for cleaning or maintenance from time to time). That, and codes have changed. A house is not required to be updated to the new specs if an appliance is being changed (only if new wiring within the house is being done), but for a new range to be code-compliant it will be wired to have a separate ground (4 wire set up). This might not match your house wiring, as ground wires used to be optional and thus often not used, hence many home still having a 3 wire outlet. So what is the range manufacturer to do? Well, they let the buyer decide which cord they need (providing instructions for installing either), based on the house wiring which may or may not be up to current code. So that is why it does not come with one. As for re-using the old one, if you are installing the range yourself then go right ahead. Just know that your old cord has seen a LOT of power running through it for however long the old range existed...and if the previous person re-used it also, that cord could be decades old with a lot of wear and tear, not only at the ends but also the internal wiring where you cannot see. Is an extra $25-30 bucks worth risking a sudden meltdown--and possible house fire--of an old cord that looked fine but wasn't? Btw, dryers (also high amp power users) are appliances that usually do not come with pre-installed cords, and for the same reason.
Sorry, there was a problem. Please try again later.Understand this: Studies have shown that ranges are the longest lasting of all major kitchen appliances, and usually are kept for about 15 years, on average, and often much longer - often into their high twenties. The four foot power cord that is attached to one's range is generally shoved up and squashed against the wall when the range is place in its spot, generally between two lower cabinets, and not easily accessible by the homeowner. Every oven conducts heat to the surrounding area, and, consequently, after enough time, the heat will eventually dry out the chemicals in the outer cord insulation, as well as the insulation around each of the individual wires inside the cord, causing the plastic to crack and fail. All it would take is for a pot filled with liquid to boil over and flow down to the cord, to cause a serious problem, if the plastic insulation has cracked, leading to fire or electrocution. Ideally a range power cord should be replaced every 10 years, or so, but, realistically, the vast majority of homeowners never think about doing so. Originally, the national electric code allowed for a three prong cord to be used on 220/240 volt electric ranges and clothes dryers. But in the late 1970s, the code was updated to require the use of a four pronged cord, with an internal grounding wire, for safety considerations. At that time. all new home construction was required to have a four prong receptacle, with a ground wire, for appliance that ran on 220/240 volts, just as many small appliances and some electronics (computers) now use a three prong plug, for safety reasons. The new electric code did not require all older houses to be rewired to the new standards, but if an older house, pre-1980, is rewired, with a changeover from a old-style fuse box to a contemporary breaker panel system, then the house wiring and receptacles would have to be changed to those with grounding capabilities. The code required appliance makers to have attachment points for a four prong cord, but allowed the use of a three prong, ungrounded cord to be used until such time as a house was updated and rewired. All electric ranges and electric clothes dryers absolutely should have new cords installed on them after purchase. No homeowner should risk a catastrophe from fire or electrocution by reusing an old, failing, cord from an old appliance, for the sake of not spending $20.00, or so, for a new cord. Home insurance companies absolutely require the use of a new cord on a new appliance. There have been reports of insurers refusing to settling damage claims, following a fire, when inspectors determined it was caused by an old cord that was attached to a new appliance.
Sorry, there was a problem. Please try again later.If the cord on your old range can be removed, you should be able to switch it to this one. (Mine was built in, not removable.) I was told at the store that the newer stoves don't come with them because the electrical building code standards are in the process of change. Ultimately they will be switching to the 4-prong model but the 3-prong is still in code "for now."
Sorry, there was a problem. Please try again later.Yes, you can re-use the old cord as long as there is nothing physically wrong with it. Electric ranges and Electric dryers do not come with the cords because different houses have different types of outlets. Some have 3 wires and others have 4 wires.
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