Question
I have an electric stove,removable Burners elements on top, and when I cook,and lean up against the stove I get a shock, enough to get your attention, I'm not sure where to start to look for the problem. do you have any suggestions?
Thanks.
Skip
Answer
Hi Skip,
Based on your description...it sounds like your body is providing a portion of the ground path for this stove when you touch it ( a common problem on 3 wire stoves and dryers....the Code recognized this and changed wiring regulations for them both to now require 4 wire to help avoid this type of incident)
Years ago it was a common practice to wire stoves and dryers with 3 wire...typically 6/3 or 8/3 for the stoves and 10/3 for the dryers....so that the units had 2 wires for the 240 volts with 1 neutral only (a ground strap on the stove provided a jumper for ground to bleed back down the neutral.). New Codes now mandate that all new stoves installed after 1-1-2005 MUST have a 4 wire assembly....having 2 wires for the 240 volts, 1 seperate neutral....AND a seperate ground....and the ground strap or wire on the stove is no longer bonded to the neutral lug. This helps to avoid accidental energizing of the metal frame of the stove or dryer....and eliminate user shock when touched....usually mild - but definitely noticeable. (and in the wrong situation - potentially lethal if you are handling water or have health conditions)
We've been installing 4 prong 4 wire assemblies for stoves and dryers for years..(in the interests of customer safety)
but the Code just made it mandatory a year and a half ago in all new homes (old homes are grand-fathered...but I HIGHLY recommend the change to 4 wire)
Without being able to examine the wiring for your stove and do some testing...it's hard for me to say for sure if this is your problem...but it sure fits the symptoms perfectly....and it's something we've seen in MANY homes.
I HIGHLY recommend you shut down the breaker for this stove...(and confirm that it is off...it will be either a 50 or 60 amp double pole breaker)....check your wiring to the stove receptacle outlet to see if 4 wire was run and if the receptacle outlet is indeed 4 prong...if not - I HIGHLY recommend you change it out (or have a local electrician do it for you) so that it is (and on your dryer as well...if it isn't already 4 wire) The extra safety path and user shock protection that the seperate ground and neutral provide can not be understated.
I hope this helps Skip...if you need more details, please follow-up.
Best Wishes,
Bob Osgood
Master Electrician / Owner
RKO ELECTRIC
www.rkoelectric.com