Ovens (was Compactronator)

[DummyLoad]

Did you know that GE ranges are specced for 40A, and they say don't use a 50A cord because it may not fit their bushing? Fine, I'd rather pull #8 than #6.

now i do... GE cost cutting? - smaller bushing. i feel your pain. moonlighting for buttery pulling #2 for 10 apt. units in 100+ heat made me respect the man and his trade all the more. i was the mule, he was the feeder... yes, i too would much rather pull #8. i hope it's going well for you - cooking on hot-plates is really a pain. hopefully there are restaurants or take-out not far.

[RicharD]

>Did you know that GE ranges are specced for 40A, and they say don't use a 50A cord because it may not fit their bushing?

Do you mean 60A?  40A & 50A are both #8 which is the accepted norm for an oven or range. I've had a few battles with ovens and ranges.  It seems appropriate that we're talking appliances.  Iso and I noted the name "Compactronator" sounds like a kitchen appliance.

[PRR]

GE 30" Free-Standing Electric Convection Range Model #: JB740TPWW
http://products.geappliances.com/ApplProducts/Dispatcher?REQUEST=SpecPage&Sku=JB740TPWW

POWER / RATINGS
Amp Rating at 208V 40  
Amp Rating at 240V 40  
KW Rating at 208V 8.9  
KW Rating at 240V 11.9

 http://products.geappliances.com/MarketingObjectRetrieval/Dispatcher?RequestType=PDF&Name=31-10677-1.pdf

This appliance must be supplied with the proper voltage and frequency, and connected to an individual, properly grounded, 40 amp (minimum) branch circuit protected by a circuit breaker or time-delay fuse.
A range cord rated at 40 amps with 125/250 minimum volt range is required. A 50 amp range cord is not recommended but if used, it should be marked for use with nominal 13.8�� {1-3/8"} diameter connection openings.

[RicharD]

Hmmmmm.... well.....  All the range cords I've seen are #8 rated at 50A.  The next larger is a #6 cord which is almost always type SO and the next smaller is a #10 30A dryer cord.  Often any of these cords can be a bear to install.

[PRR]

Yeah, I don't see any 40A range cords. Well, the delivery guys usually put the cord on, that's their problem.

I figured why it is rated a KW that comes to 49Amps, but 40A wire is acceptable. The stovetops "can't" pull full power for long. This is "smoothtop", which is big IR lamps under a sheet of glass. If they stayed on, the glass would shatter. Instead they cycle, a lot, maybe only 60% duty-cycle on our best (flatest-bottom) pots. The oven is well insulated and hardly blips. Even the self-cleaning cycle throws far less heat in the room than our older beast. So while it might pull a 49A transient, apparently they are comfortable that it won't heat wires any worse than 40A worth.