OK, in a rehab of existing outlets I came across a 30A dryer receptacle on a 50A breaker with 12/3 AWG.
Needless to say I am not happy. In looking at the breaker box, the white and bare ground are inserted into the ground strip. And they were twisted together in the 30A receptacle.
This b box comes directly off the 100A service and NOT through the main panel.
What I am looking into is to add a 100A double throw breaker box from the service line in front of the 50A box, change the wire to 6/3 AWG and replace the receptacle to a 50A outlet to use as a 40A range circuit. I've got a 3 wire 50A range cord to go with it.
Does this sound safe and do I still twist the white and bare together at the outlet box?
Thanks fellas.
Well, I am not at the location and AFAIR there was no panel info on the box.
After you guys asked more ? I am beginning to think that replacing this box with the new C-H box I have and putting in new 50A breakers and call it good.
Although, I'd like to have a means to shut this circuit down from the service line if need be. This line from there runs through the attic down through the eave.
Best Answer
Get a 4-prong outlet and a 4-prong cord, but don't bother with the extra breaker unless you're changing the panel out
Since the box in question is so small (a spa panel, really), I wouldn't bother with the extra circuit breaker if you can find a 40A breaker that replaces the existing 30A breaker in the box. On the other hand, if you can get the power cut to it safely, then I would consider replacing it with a larger panel with a proper main breaker in it -- an 8-space, 200A, convertible-main mobile home panel with feed-through lugs that has been field-fitted with a 100A main breaker is a good option here, as it can easily be migrated to be a subpanel, or be a main panel instead if you want to convert the existing panel to be a subpanel.
Your choice of 6/3 W/G for the new range circuit is well and good, but you need to use a 4-prong (NEMA 14-50) range receptacle and matching 4-prong cord for your range here -- neutral and ground stay separate at the receptacle as a result, and you also need to pull the bonding strap inside the range when you fit the new cord.