Splicing a 240v 50a range service. Yep, another Al wire question!

16 years ago

I'm planning a kitchen remodel that requires us to relocate our electric range. I need to add about 15 feet to the existing 240V 50A #6 aluminum 2 wire cable with ground.

My house was built in 1977, and although I have not yet demo'ed the wall with the cable in it, let's assume the cable is the AA-8XXX Stabiloy type. and let's assume the range outlet is CU/AL as well. I will check both before proceeding.

My plan is to mount a 6"x6"x4" junction box on a beam above our insulation in the attic crawlspace. Then splice new 6/3 AL cable to the existing cable using either the Gardner Bender Aluminum Splicer GSPA-2 or Penn-Union SR-2 Aluminum Splicer along with the anti-corrosive stuff. Then tape the splices and run the cable to its new location.

Is this an appropriate method?

Would it be better/safer if I spliced in 8/3 Cu cable?

Our attics get very hot here in Arizona. Is there any special tape I should use? Or would heat-shrink tubing be better?

Thanks in advance for your help.

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Comments (7)

petey_racer
16 years ago
You CANNOT extend this cable. This is older ungrounded 120/240v cable.
You MUST re-run this circuit with a "3-wire" with ground cable.
itsunclebill
16 years ago
The 3 wire cable(2 hots and a neutral) is grandfathered only so long as it isn't changed. If you need to extend the circuit then you need to use 4 wire cable (2 hots, neutral, and ground) to be code compliant.

Dunno what it's like around there, but here your proposed project would be a major issue if the house ever got put on the market.
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kaseki, thank you for the detailed reply. Yes, I too was surprised to see SER wiring but this is in the kitchen and runs through the crawlspace, so I think they had to use SER-rated cable when they did the last major remodel circa 2002 on account of the fact that the crawlspace is fully exposed. 6AWG actually is rated for 50A up to and the run is only 20ft - the breaker box is actually in the kitchen. Everything but the dyer and range lines are Cu, the latter two are Al. Not sure why they did it like that, the kitchen was stripped to the studs when they did the reno way back so they could have ran any wire they wanted with little difference in effort. Whatever, it is what it is, I am not about the change that. The current range is KitchenAid Superba that is rated for 43A draw, and in two years we have never had the breaker trip so I am pretty sure it is OK. The Samsung, Electrolux, GE, and Bosch induction ranges all require a customer provided 3-wire or 4-wire cable that plugs into a standard outlet. The Al wire connects to the outlet and that is already pre-existing wiring that was inspected at the time it was built, though 10+ years later may not be fully up to current code. I have ordered a brand new 50A-3wire appliance wire for the new range. I was also considering pulling out the existing cord and installing it in the new range, but it is kind of short and it will be a PITA to move the new range in place with it. The Al current connections are goo-capped, I know since i had to pull them to measure the strand diameter to figure out the gauge. I don't anticipate having to do any changes to the wiring, and at this point I have all info I need to hook up the new range when it shows up a month or so from now. Now I just have to figure out how to route a hood exaust to the outside. I love living in a 1930's vintage house, built like a tank, but limits some of the modern niceties you can get. The prior owners put in recessed lighting in the ceiling, so there is AT LEAST a 6" gap there that I think can be used to route the hood exhaust. The wall separating the kitchen from the dining room is only like 5" thick so I don't think I can run down into the crawl space, and the middle of my daughter's bedroom is right above the range so I can't route up to the roof either. Oh well, another day, another battle.
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diyinarizona
Original Author
16 years ago
Thanks Pete & Bill. But Ouch! This would be a major unexpected cost in my remodel. Naturally the run is the longest possible distance from the worst possible access location.

If I redesign my new kitchen layout so I only have to move the range outlet, and not extend the cable, would that work? Going from a 3' range cord to a 6' range cord looks like it will make it.

Do you know when the code changed from 2-wire to 3-wire? I'm wondering if once I get into the wall if I'll find 3-wire and not the 2-wire it appears to be at the breaker box.
petey_racer
16 years ago
From your description you do have the older circuit. Sounds like SEU cable, which was legal in it's day.

Who did the electrical work on this reno? An electrician SHOULD have known about this. The code changed back in the '96 NEC.

Shortening it is a judgment call. Some would say you are altering it so no good. I think the general consensus would say you are fine though in shortening it.
spencer_electrician
16 years ago
also make sure there are a minimum of 2 20 amp counter top outlet circuits, dedicated circuit to dishwasher disposal, and if there is under counter lighting or any lighting that there is a non counter circuit. If those items are not present then that is good reason to find a way to run the new oven circuit and everything else. Make sure they have an electrician, around here 50% of remodelers do it themselves and could care less about codes.
diyinarizona
Original Author
16 years ago
Pete, still in the planning stage and the renovation is just beginning. I checked with a contractor who said I'm good with moving the outlet and not extending it.

I'll check on the counter top outlets and dishwasher circuits while I'm checking if they're GFI circuits.

Thanks for all your help
Ron Natalie
16 years ago
Kitchen contractors are usually complete idiots when it comes to legalities on electrical work.

Moving an outlet other (than trivially) is changing the circuit and would most likely require adherence to the CURRENT code in your jurisdiction.

Splicing a 240v 50a range service. Yep, another Al wire question!

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petey_racer

itsunclebill

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Splicing a 240v 50a range service. Yep, another Al wire question!

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petey_racer

itsunclebill

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