Last updated on August 14th, 2022 at 01:28 pm
Different appliances require different amounts of power. While others require much, some require less; one constant factor is that energy is needed for the proper functioning of every appliance.
An electrical stove requires a specific amount of electric energy to function.
So, to properly monitor how much current your stove is consuming, you may wonder how many amps your stove uses.
A Stove uses current within the range of 30amp to 50amp for normal functioning. The number of amps a stove uses is dependent on the size and the features of the electric stove. The larger the size of the stove, the higher the size of the amp it uses, while the smaller the size of the stove, the smaller the amp size.
Can I Use A 40 Amp Breaker For A Stove?
You can use a 40 amp breaker for a stove. You can use a 40 amp breaker for a stove with less than a 12-kilowatt rating, and it will not affect the functioning of the stove. Importantly, You can use a higher amp breaker up to 50 amps for a stove with a higher rating.
The National Electrical Code has recommended that all household appliances with a rating of fewer than 12 kilowatts be used with an amp breaker that is 40amp.
The breaker with such capacity is fitting for the stove to function properly without shortages in the current flow to the stove.
A 40 amp breaker is considered normal for an electric stove, and it will not cause any form of fault to the circuit as long as you are using the right amp required by the stove.
What will also make the breaker used work properly is the type of wire used to connect the circuit?
In using a 40 amp breaker for a stove, the size of the stove and the features present on the stove needs to be considered.
Some stoves come with ovens, so it is important to consider the load of the stove before using a breaker to avoid damaging the stove. Also, You should use the breaker for a dedicated circuit.
It is important to remember that the breaker is not going to protect the stove itself but the wiring used in the connection process;
therefore, when a 40 amp breaker is used, overloading you should avoid the circuit at all costs because overloading the circuit will cause damages that may destroy the stove and sometimes result in dangerous fire outbreaks.
Can You Run A Stove On 30 Amps?
You can run a stove on 30 amps. When running a stove on 30 amps, it is important to use appropriate wires for the circuit. These wires will help in the proper functioning of the stove so you can properly use it. Providing the right connection for the circuit can help you run a stove on 30 amps.
Electric stoves that have been made in recent times can run on 30 amps.
But these modern types of electric stoves often require at least a 50 amp breaker to function properly, mainly because of the additional features such as ovens and extra burners that draw extra current when in use.
Another thing to consider when running an electric stove on a 30 amp breaker is the type of circuit to use.
A dedicated circuit is considered a must for running a stove on 30 amps; the dedicated circuit will help manage damages that may occur when the circuit is shared with other appliances, damages may result from a lack of power supply.
Also, when using a stove on 30 amps, it is good to remember that it has to be managed properly. Managing here implies that you should use one component of the stove at a time.
For example, for a stove with extra burners and an oven, you should turn on only the oven for one use at a time.
When other features such as the oven are turned on with an electric stove that runs on 30 amps, there will be excess current drawing because of the other features working simultaneously.
Sadly, this may cause power supply shortages, and often, the stove may be affected either by getting burnt, or a fire outbreak may occur in the process.
What Size Wire Do You Use For A Kitchen Stove?
Kitchen stoves come in different sizes and have different features that distinguish some from others; the presence of the features indicates that the power consumption will be increased as all the features require current to function.
Wiring a kitchen stove is dependent on the features present and the energy consumption of the stove. Some stoves do not have other features.
The size of wire to use for an electric stove is very important to note when doing a connection for the stove; different stoves require different wire sizes, and the type of wire to use for a stove is dependent on the size of the stove and its requirements.
The trick is knowing the right size of wire is that the higher the amp size, the smaller the size of the wire to use.
Some sizes of wires to be used for different stoves are
1. 30 Amps Stove
When connecting to the circuit, the right type of wire that provides the right amount of current to a 30 amps electric stove is a ten Gauge wire. And the suitable voltage is about 24 volts.
2. 40 Amps Stove
The connection for a 40 amp stove often requires an eight gauge wire. This stove size is often for household uses; the eight gauge wire used will be sufficient to supply the right amount of current.
3. 50 Amp Stove
Usually, a 50 amp stove is considered normal for larger-sized electric stoves that are for household purposes. The size of wire that is needed when connecting a 50 amp stove is a six gauge wire.
4. 60 Amp Stove
This type of stove often requires a wire that is six gauges. Mostly, 60 amps stoves are considered for industrial purposes. Therefore it consumes a lot of energy.
Can I Use An Extension Cord For My Electric Stove?
You cannot use an extension cord for an electric stove due to its incapacity to supply the amount of current needed by the stove to function properly.
Electric stoves consume a lot of currents hence they require connection to a power source that can supply the amount of current they need to keep functioning.
It would help if you connected the electric stove directly to the socket or the outlet and not to an extension cord.
This is because an extension cord has the possibility of overheating and breaking; most often, when overheating occurs, it causes increased current flow.
As the wire expands, the cords dilate, which may cause damage. When there is an increase in the current flowing, the activity of the electric stove will increase as well, causing an overheating of the stove too.
Overheating the stove may sometimes cause the electric cord to break and tear; this can easily result in burning, and the stove will be damaged, and sometimes the household will be affected too.
The followings are activities that occur when extension cords are used on electric stoves.
- When heating occurs in an extension cord, the resistance increases
- There is an increase in the demand for power to be used as there is an increase in the resistance.
- There is a subsequent increase in the resistance in the cords.
With the above activities, there is a forced overheating and an increase in the subsequent supply of electric energy to the stove; there is a high possibility of fire outbreaks because of increasing resistance.
So increasing current flow will lead to the cords breaking, and sparks may occur that will cause damage to the extension cord, stove, and possibly other appliances within.
Conclusion
The amount of energy consumed by an electric stove indicates the amp that the stove uses.
Most stoves have their amps indicated, but the amp required for a stove could be within the range of 30amp to 50amp depending on the size and the features the stove contains.
The amp requirements for different stoves are contained in this article.