From: "SQLit"


"wideglide01" wrote in message
.. .


Hello,

I have an interesting situation I'm hoping an electrcian/electricial
expert in this newsgroup may help answer.

I have an 30 year old 220v range with an attached upper
(second smaller ) oven.

It's on it's last legs and we're in the process of purchasing a new
oven (also obviously 220v) and a separate microwave/oven to mount
above it.

My question is, the existing oven has a 220v line running to it and
now I'll obviously have to get an electrician to install another plug
for the microwave.

Will the electrician have to run a second 220v line for the microwave
or will he/she be able to just put in an outlet from the existing line
to handle both appliances? Obviously, putting in an outlet with two
plugs would be cheaper but I'm not sure that's legal/safe to do or
will they have to run a completely different 220v line to the breaker
box?

The amp rating for the new oven is 40amps and the microwave is
30 amps. The existing breaker is a 50 amp breaker so I would think
at a minimum, the breaker would have to be replaced with a higher
rating.

This *sounds* to me like it would a separate line would need
to be run and an additional breaker be installed for the microwave.

Am I correct? The kitchen is located directly above the (unfinished)
basement where the breaker box is located (and the line is run inside
an outside wall). I would *think* that even if a separate line needs
to be run, it wouldn't be that difficult however I'm getting scary
thoughts that this could end up being a very expensive venture to
run the second line however, my knowledge of "Mr. 220v Electricity" is
limited.

Any suggestions/comments is greatly appreciated. I just want to
get a ballpark idea of what I may be getting myself into before I
order this setup.

Most microwaves for residential are 120v unless your buying foreign made.

Not the old style microwave/range combination units popular in the late 80's.
They were one unit, as tall as a refrigerator.

Those older units utilized the 40/50a 220v for everything.

They're no longer common, probably not made anymore as a critical defect in one
component would require either a house call from an authorized dealer/repairman
or junk the whole kit and kaboddle.


Seems strange to me that your microwave draws almost as much as the oven..
Hummmm maybe more than an microwave?
Electrical connection for the new microwave if as you described should be an
outlet and maybe an breaker change out.
Electrical connection for oven will probably need an new run as the new
ovens require and neutral and ground conductor. (4 wires).
Check with the manufacture/ local authority to see what is required.

I think the OP is simply converting from an all-in-one appliance containing a
microwave on top, and a standard convection oven/4 burner cooktop on the
bottom.

Replacing with 2004 unit will require only running a new 20a 120v line and
receptacle for the new, stand-alone, "over-the-stove" microwave/range hood.

The original, existing 40/50a 220v 3-wire circuit for the original range can
remain.

Code changes cover new installations of circuits, not the replacement
appliances. The new range can be connected just as the old range was, on a
standard 2-wire with ground circuit.

But if replacing the old 3-wire circuit with a new 4-wire circuit is a piece of
cake as the OP describes, might as well just do it anyway.