spamtrap1888 > wrote:

>In the past, wire cable for kitchen ranges included two hot wires and
>a stranded ground/neutral. This type of cable is called service
>entrance conductor (SE) cable. The range receptacle for this kind of
>cable accommodated a three-prong plug configuration. The problem with
>this arrangement was that the current-carrying neutral was the same as
>the ground for the appliance frame. Today, wire cables for kitchen
>ranges are still required to carry two hot conductors, and an
>equipment ground, but an additional wire, a white, insulated, neutral
>wire must also be included.

Aha. This may explain why, when connecting a four-wire stove to an
older three-wire circuit, the NEC wants you NOT to bridge the
neutral and ground in the receptacle (as opposed to the appliance):
because you would then be using a wirenut on a stranded wire,
which is generally a really really bad idea.

It would be an especially bad idea to use a wirenut on a stranded
wire and then have this connection not in a box. And very especially
bad to do all this in earthquake country...


S.