How to Change a Stove Outlet Hanging Range Plugs

An electric stove requires much more current than a standard electrical outlet can provide. The main breaker box in most homes has a dedicated electrical circuit connected to the stove outlet. Different configurations of stove outlets require variations of cords to match. If your stove cord does not match the outlet, or the cord hangs up in the outlet -- making it difficult to insert or remove the cord from the outlet -- changing the stove outlet may be your best option.

No-touch electrical tester
Small flat-blade screwdriver
Phillips screwdriver
Large flat-blade screwdriver
Wire cutters
Utility knife

Instructions

- 1
  Shut off the circuit breaker in the main breaker box that controls the stove circuit. Hold a no-touch electrical tester close to the stove outlet. Continue if the tester does not indicate that there is still current flowing to the outlet.
- 2
  Twist out the screws that secure the face plate of the stove outlet with a small flat-blade screwdriver. Place the face plate aside.
- 3
  Twist out the screws that secure the outlet into the electrical box with a Phillips screwdriver. Pull the outlet out of the electrical box as far as the wiring will allow.
- 4
  Loosen the set screws on the back of the outlet that secures the wires from the electrical box in place with a large flat-blade screwdriver. Pull the wires straight out of the outlet. Remove the outlet from the electrical box.
- 5
  Trim the ends of all the wires you removed from the outlet with a pair of wire cutters to clean up the ends. Do not cut off too much wire, as you may not have enough to work with when reconnecting the new stove outlet. Strip ½ inch of insulation from the ends of the wires with a utility knife.
- 6
  Loosen all of the set screws on the back of the new stove outlet with a large flat-blade screwdriver without removing them. Insert the black wire from the electrical box into one of the two clamps on the back of the new stove outlet marked “hot.” Tighten the set screw to secure the wire in place.
- 7
  Insert the red wire from the electrical box into the remaining clamp marked “hot” on the back of the electrical box and tighten the set screw. Insert the white wire from the electrical box into the clamp on the outlet marked “neutral” and tighten the screw. Insert the bare ground wire from the electrical box into the clamp on the back of the outlet marked “ground” and tighten the screw.
- 8
  Push the outlet and the wiring carefully into the electrical box. Secure the flanges of the outlet to the box with the original screws and tighten them with a Phillips screwdriver. Replace the face plate and tighten the screw.
- 9
  Plug the stove cord into the outlet. Turn the circuit breaker back on and turn on the stove to test its operation.

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