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| I want to update the range outlet from an older style 3 prong (10-50R) surface mount box to an inwall 4 prong (14-50R) for my new range. The new range is tighter to the wall so the inwall connection makes better use of space. The existing cable is non-metal sheathed 3 conductor 8 awg with a 10 awg ground. I have put in a double gang metal box for the outlet and run the cable into it with proper clamping.
What is the required grounding procedure for the metal gang box? I have 14 awg grounding pigtails and I have the special green #10 screws for 20 amp, 120V service but this seems inadequate compared to the 8 awg wires that are carrying current in. What is the required wire gauge for grounding the box? How do I attach that cable to the box? Can I use the pre-threaded hole with a #10 screw? Thanks much! |
Follow-Up Postings:
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- Posted by weedmeister (My Page) on Tue, May 8, 12 at 18:05
| Ask on the Electrical Forum. |
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- Posted by live_wire_oak (My Page) on Wed, May 9, 12 at 0:07
| You cannot adapt an existing 3 wire circuit. You are required to run an entirely new circuit from the box with 4 wires. |
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| Thanks live_wire_oak. Agree that you can't simply convert a 3 wire installation to a 4 wire, but the existing cable I have has 4 wires, 3 x 8 awg plus a 10 awg ground. The old install didn't use the separate dedicated equipment ground but it is grounded at the main breaker panel. Seems OK to me. Am I overlooking something? |
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| The 10 AWG ground wire should be connected to 10 AWG grounding conductors from the box and from the receptacle. This is within the capacity of "blue" wire nuts, or a U bolt clamp. You can of course go larger. The cable is attached to the box using an appropriate connector. The connector looks like a 12/2WG NM (Romex) connector on steroids. The no. 10 screw should be adequate. Use a no.10 Yellow crimp fork connector or just wrap a solid conductor wire around the screw. Ground faults usually last only moments until the breaker actuates. kas |
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