What Size Breaker for Range Oven | Answered

Installing an electric stove may seem very complicated if you are inexperienced. You should not rush things and install every part with proper items, otherwise, there can be serious accidents! Specifically, make sure the breaker is of the right size. This article features what size breakers for range ovens are required.

A minimum of a 40 amp power supply with a 50 amp receptacle of 120/240 volts is required for all full-size electric stoves or ranges. The wire should be # 8 AWG copper or # 6 AWG aluminum and the breaker must be 50 amps. This is true for most plug-in ranges with the oven on the bottom and the burners on the top.

What Size Breaker for Range Oven

Stoves consume a lot of energy and are usually one of your home’s biggest appliances. Electric ranges require their own dedicated circuit due to their high power consumption. While there are many different types of electric stoves on the market, the majority of them run on 240 volts. 

Because most stoves operate at 240 volts, a double-pole circuit breaker on a dedicated circuit inside your electrical panel is recommended. The size you require for your given equipment is determined by the amount of electricity it consumes.

This information is generally available online or in the box for your specific stove type. Older stoves are generally smaller and use less energy, whereas industrial stoves use a lot more. To summarize, there is a vast range of electric stove sizes and power requirements.

Breaker Size for Range Oven

A 30 to 60 amp circuit breaker is frequently required for electric stoves. On average, a 50 amp breaker is required by the great majority of contemporary electric stoves. 

Smaller or older stoves have 30 or 40 amp circuit breakers and require less electricity. Larger industrial electric stoves frequently require a 60 amp or higher circuit breaker. 

Wire Size for Range Oven

#6-gauge wire is commonly used since most electric stoves require a 50 amp circuit breaker. A 6/3-gauge cable, which contains four wires: a primary hot wire, a secondary hot wire, a neutral wire, and a ground wire, is recommended for most stoves.

If you have a smaller or older electric stove with a 30 or 40-amp breaker, you should use #10-gauge or #8-gauge copper wire. Larger 60-amp stoves typically require #4-gauge aluminum AWG; however, some are wired with #6-gauge copper AWG.

Can I Use a 40 Amp Breaker for My Stove

You should avoid using a 40 amp breaker for your stove and use a higher-rated one. A 40 amp breaker can potentially allow unsafe levels of electricity to travel through that circuit and never trip until the flow reaches 40 amps. Also, if your stove draws 50 amp, using a 40 amp breaker can lead to a house fire!

How Do I Determine What Size Breaker I Need for My Oven

When picking the right circuit breaker size for your electric stove, keep the 80 percent rule in mind. In electrical work, the 80 percent rule states that you should only utilize 80 percent of your breaker’s capacity at full load. 

A 50 amp double breaker, for example, should ideally only power appliances that demand 40 amps (80% of 50 amps) or fewer at a time. You must also consider the size of your wire in addition to the breaker capacity. The amp capacity of your range oven’s electrical capacity is determined by these two basic elements.

Can I Use a 60 Amp Breaker for a Stove

Yes, you can use a 60 amp breaker for a stove. Since most stoves require at least a 50 amp breaker, so 60 amp is enough for most of the ovens on the market. Since the breakers can handle exactly 80 percent of the continuous electricity given to them. For a 60 amp breaker, it can easily handle continuous load up to 48 amp.

Is 10 3 Wire Heavy Enough for a Stove

Usually, a standard electric stove runs on a 240-volt circuit. And 10/3 wire is an appropriate wire to use for stoves if they need less power to operate. A 10/3 cable contains three 10 gauge conducting wires and one 10 gauge ground wire. 

Commonly, 10/3 wires can serve appliances that draw up to 30 amps. So, for the range oven that draws more than 40 amps, these 10 3 wires are not heavy enough.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I plug a stove into a dryer outlet?

As long as the receptacle match, you can use an electric range cord on a dryer. It’s because the oven’s range cord is rated at a higher amperage and that’s why it can handle the dryer’s lower rating.

Are 13 amp ovens any good?

13 amp ovens are good since they are far more flexible to install and they don’t require any professional installation service. It can also save some money. However, as 13 amps ovens draw less power, they are not suitable for heavy cooking.

Does my range oven need an isolation switch?

Yes, the wiring regulations require a local isolator switch that is close to the range oven. it is required so that the oven can safely be isolated for maintenance or in the event of an emergency.

Where is the fuse in my oven?

The assembly of servicing fuses is usually located under the cooktop of the range oven. For some units, you have to lift the top of the range to gain access to the fuse assembly. Or you may have to lift the elements, remove the drip pans or look at the back to spot the fuse.

Closing Words

You know now what size breaker for range oven you need, which is 50 amp on average. However, if you are not so familiar with electrical works, these numbers can be very confusing. Simply hire a professional to do the job for you, or choose a double breaker and wire size for your stove as it’s simple and works fine.