A 3-wireelectric rangeconnection has one neutral and twohot wires.

It plugs into a dedicatedrange receptaclefed by a 40-amp or a 50-amp circuit.

Older range cords had three-prong cords to fit three-slot receptacles.

Power cord being connected with screwdriver to electric range on back of oven

The Spruce / Kevin Norris

Newer ranges will havefour-prong cordsto fit four-slot outlets.

Depending on your receptacle, you’ve got the option to use either jot down of cord.

The key difference is the way the ground wire is connected.

Materials and tools to connect a power cord to an electric range

The Spruce / Kevin Norris

This connection grounds the body of the appliance through the neutral cord wire.

If the range is new, it should be set up for a four-prong cord.

Warning

Consult your owner’s manual for wiring requirements.

Metal cover plate removed from the electrical range back panel

The Spruce / Kevin Norris

The cord must have the same amperage rating as the range circuit.

ensure all controls on the range are OFF.

Plug the cord into the range outlet, and test the range functions to confirm proper operation.

Green ground screw secured with metal strap to terminal doesn’t need to alter ground connection

The Spruce / Kevin Norris

Four-wire connections are preferable.

On 3-wire stove cords, red is a hot wire and black is another hot wire.

Green is the ground wire.

4-prong cord connected with red cord wire connected to hot terminal and secured with screwdriver

The Spruce / Kevin Norris

Mullin, Ray C., and J. Philip Simmons.Electrical Wiring: Residential.

17th ed, Delmar Cengage Learning, 2012.

Don’t Use Frayed or Cracked Electrical Cords.

3-prong cord connected and tightened to central neutral terminal with screwdriver

The Spruce / Kevin Norris

Fire Department of New York Foundation.

Cord secured with a strain-relief clamp on back of electrical range with screwdriver

The Spruce / Kevin Norris

Metal cover plate reinstalled over electrical range on back of oven

The Spruce / Kevin Norris