How to Wire a Wall Oven

You started to install your new wall oven, but now you aren't sure why you have only two wires and a ground coming from your service panel but three wires and a ground coming from the oven. This is because the oven manufacturers build their ovens in compliance with the National Electrical Code, which has prohibited two-wire connections for ovens since 1996. Your local building code will probably also require you to update your wiring.

Things You'll Need

• Voltage tester Screwdriver Wire cutter Wire stripper Insulated wire connectors Pliers 6-gauge 3-wire copper cable 50-amp double-pole circuit breaker Junction box

Instructions

1. Turn off the power to the oven circuit. Using a 50-amp circuit breaker with 6-gauge wire will eliminate the possibility of the breaker tripping when the stove gets heavy use, such as when the Thanksgiving turkey is in the oven. If you don't already have the correct circuit breaker and wire installed, do it now. You can run the new cable along the old one, but keep it separate from any active cables to avoid heat buildup.

2. Turn off the main breaker before you bring the cable into the service panel. Remove just enough insulation from the black and red wires to fit into the breaker, and slip the breaker into the panel wire-end first and push the other end down until it is seated firmly. Slide the neutral white wire and bare ground wire under the neutral bus, and screw them down.

3. The connections between the oven and the house wiring must be closed within a junction box. Whether you are adding a new box or using an existing one, make sure it is in a location that can be easily reached if necessary, generally within the cabinet that is on the bottom or side of the oven. Check the wires from the service panel with your voltage tester to ensure there is no current. Bring the cable from the panel and the cable from the oven into the junction box, and screw the junction box fasteners securely onto the cables to keep them from sliding out of the box.

4. Use your pliers to splice bare to bare, red to red, black to black and white to white. Screw insulated connectors over all the connections. The black, red and white wires should not have any bare cable exposed beyond the connectors.

5. Turn on the circuit and check that the oven functions properly. If it does, cover the junction box.

Tips & Warnings

• Consult your oven installation manual for instructions specific to your oven model.

• Always use your voltage tester to check for current before handling any electrical cable.