Double Oven Power Requirements
Chefs and baking enthusiasts alike will tell you a double oven makes an excellent addition to any kitchen. In addition to giving the chef or baker the ability to prepare two dishes at once, the double oven allows you to prepare one meal while using the other oven to keep the other portions of the meal warm.
Types of Ovens
Traditionally, double ovens have been designed to be installed directly into the wall, allowing for extra luxury for chefs who have the kitchen real estate to spare. Recently, more and more ranges are beginning to offer the double-oven feature, as chefs everywhere have created a demand for this added convenience. Unfortunately, the range-style double oven doesn't offer nearly as much cubic footage as its in-wall counterpart, simply because the manufacturer is dividing the standard oven in two.
Gas Ovens
Depending on the utilities available in your area, your double oven operates on gas or electricity. The power requirements of a gas oven are simple: a standard, grounded wall outlet. Manufacturers of double ovens recommend you do not use a GFCI outlet when installing the oven. Additionally, always ensure the outlet is grounded, and never remove the ground from the oven power cable. Should you encounter an outlet that does not have a ground, an experienced electrician must replace it with a grounded model. Never use an adapter in place of a grounded outlet.
Electric Ovens
Your double oven either is hardwired to your home's circuitry, or connected via a power cable. Unlike gas ovens, electric ovens require a much heavier electrical load to operate, as the heating elements consume a great deal of electricity. Manufacturers require a single-phase, 120/208 VAC or 120/240 VAC, 60 hertz electrical system. Before you begin to install your electric oven, it is extremely important you turn off the power source in your home's breaker panel to prevent electrical shock.
Power Cable Requirements
Electric ranges do not ship with a power cord, as your home may require one of four power configurations. Some homes have an appliance outlet preinstalled, which requires you to install a power cord on the range. Other homes provide a conduit cable that hardwires your oven to the home's electrical system. Depending on the building codes in place at the time of your home's construction, your oven may require either a three- or four-pronged power cable, or a three- or four-wire conduit cable. The difference in the two is the method used to ground the appliance. New building codes require a dedicated ground, resulting in a fourth wire or prong, while older codes allow for grounding of the appliance using the white or neutral wire.
References
Writer Bio
Andrew Todd has been writing since 2006. He has written for the Consumer Search website and the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Middle District of Florida. Todd has a Bachelor of Science in criminal justice from the University of Central Florida.
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