toedtoes wrote:
But, a brand new stove itself has the option of what plug to put on it. If the 3-prong plug was not legal, then the stores would only sell the 4-prong plug with the stove.
This isn't going out to make your own repairs against code, this is about buying a new appliance and having it installed - and that installation offers the choice of plugs. That is a big sign that 3-prong plugs are allowed for electric stoves IF installed correctly.
Prior to 1996, only mobile homes required 4-prong plugs. The code revision changed that so ALL newly built homes require 4-prong plugs. It did NOT change the rule for older homes. So, if all you are doing is buying and plugging in a new stove, you can continue to use the 3-prong plug. IF you update the wiring, you are required to change to the 4-prong plug.
Correct!
It is called
"GRANDFATHERING".
As long as the home, building, apartment was built to pass the wiring rules at the time it was built AND you have not messed with the EXISTING WIRING/OUTLETS or opened walls it IS GRANDFATHERED AND LEGAL, LEGIT, OK.
ANYONE who says so otherwise is wrong.
I got burnt on that when I was in process of purchasing my house nearly 30 yrs ago. The supposed electrician that was hired by the Realtor to do the home inspection SCAMMED me for $800 in wiring "rework" by installing GFICs all through the 1st floor, ignored the basement for GFICs even thought there was outlets there..
One day I was mentioning this to a Coworker who was the ELECTRICAL MAINTENANCE guy for the entire warehouse and office building we worked in..
He was shocked and specifically told me that there is nowhere in any of the NEC rules that require existing wiring or outlets needing to be changed or updated PROVIDED you do not open walls (like a kitchen remodel) or add to the existing circuits in that area of the building..
The NEWER rules apply once you start adding to or modifying the EXISTING circuits.
Folks, get a grip, even KNOB AND TUBE is STILL GRANDFATHERED provided you do not add to or modify that circuit..
The way a lot of the responses lean to changing to 4 wire is just plain stupid, it can cost someone hundreds if not several thousand Dollars to make that change and if in an apartment building may not be even feasible without demolishing the entire building..
NEC rules take that into account and ALLOW for the grandfathering as long as the EXISTING wiring was installed to the rules at that time and are not currently a hazard.
On edit..
Also forgot to add that after I bought my home, I fully remodeld and rewire it, upgrading from 1940s 50A fuse box to a 200A Breaker panel to not only meet but exceed min NEC requirements at that time. I even went way above and ran 12Ga 20 Amp circuits for not only the outlets but the lighting.. And YES at that time electric drier got a 3 prong outlet which WAS THE STANDARDS AT THAT TIME.
ALL of my rewiring FULLY PASSED my local Electrical Inspector for the POCO.
After that, fully rewired my MILs home, then fully wired my BILs home he was building a few yrs later.. His home since it was being built AFTER the NEC change REQUIRED the 4 prong outlet for electric stoves and required 4 wire for even the Hot water tank..
