I am looking to buy an induction cooktop (GE Cafe CHP9536SJ). The specification sheet indicates it requires 50A service rated for 11.1 kW @ 240V. At present, there is a 40A circuit (8-2 NM-B WG) running to the existing cooktop so I need to run a new branch.
This is a drop-in unit and designed to be hard-wired. It comes with a flexible pigtail and expects me to supply a junction box for making the electrical connections. I intend to use insulated single entry splice terminals for the hot wires and a split bolt for the ground.
The installation instructions state: "You must use a two-wire, three conductor 208/240 VAC, 60 Hertz electrical system. A white (neutral) wire is not needed for this unit." So standard 240V US wiring will do and it seems that the internal electronics don't bother with 110V like older ranges so a neutral is specifically not called for. When I open the box I expect to find only three conductors coming out of the pigtail: two insulated (red/black) and one bare ground.
Given that I will run a new branch circuit (i.e., not use existing wiring) am I OK running 6-2 NM-B W/G? Is there some separate requirement that new circuits include an insulated neutral wire even if it will simply be tapped off in the junction box with the world's largest wire nut?
It's a fairly long run to the main breaker panel (60-70 ft) so there is a substantial price difference to consider plus pain of pulling less flexible cable.
Best Answer
I see no reason to include an insulated neutral. (40-years in the business.) One thing you may or may not be aware of when making the splices in the J-box behind the new range, use an over size box. And #2 use something better than a large wire nut to make the hot lead connections. Polaris makes a good splice connector. That kind of current can cause real problems with poor connections. Wire nuts were never designed to handle those kind of loads.