I renovated my house with my father-in-law. We removed a wall and had to relocate the receptacle for the electric stove range. He had me buy 8-3 wire, and we ran this wire from the breaker box to the new range location. Consequently, we also bought a new range.
However, he connected the 8-3 supply wire to a 3 prong 10-50R receptacle that he had lying around. I just got curious and was reading and it seems that when you run a new 8-3 supply wire you are supposed to connect it to a 4 prong receptacle.
I didn't see how he hooked up, but the range works fine and we have been using it for months now. I am just wondering if it is fine what he did or if I should change out the 3 prong receptacle with the 4 prong receptacle and buy a 4 prong power cord.
Best Answer
A NEMA 10-50R device does not have a grounding pin, so your father-in-law likely simply didn't connect the grounding conductor from the cable. A NEMA 14-50R, which should have been used, does have a grounding pin.
Technically, you should have installed a 14-50 receptacle in the first place (to be code compliant). That being said. Loads of old homes have 10-50R devices in place, and have worked fine that way for many years. As it's currently wired, the range should continue to function without a problem. However, without a proper ground, there's always the potential for electric shock. It's up to you, whether or not you think the potential dangers are great enough to take action.