Uncategorized | US Electric

How to Install an Electric Stove Outlet: Everything You Need to Know

Brad Ormsby — Wed, 02 Jun 2021 20:33:32 +0000

Electric stoves require a lot of power to run efficiently in your kitchen. Most kitchens have 120-volt electric outlets suitable for gas ranges, so overloading those with a 220-volt electric range can damage the outlet or cause your home’s circuit breaker to go out due to excessive power usage.

Installing a specialized outlet might be challenging, so it would be wise to consider calling a professional, like our team at U .S. Electric. However, if you’d like to learn a little more about the installation process, we have all of the information you need below.

Electric Stove Wiring and Outlet Requirements

Before plugging in your electric stove, your kitchen needs to meet the necessary wiring and outlet requirements to ensure there won’t be any electrical malfunctions. Electric stoves require two hot wires, one neutral and one ground, that need their own joined breakers.

Wiring these appliances requires a 50-amp circuit compatible with 240 volts and a 6-gauge wire. You want to shut down all of the power in your home before installing this type of outlet. The specific requirements for your installation may differ based on a few factors including:

The stove’s size
The number of conductors on power cords

Compared to gas stoves, electric stoves tend to use more power. The average gas stove uses 120 volts. Typically, electric stoves use 220 volts to operate. Other appliances that require the same voltage include central air conditioners, clothes dryers, and water heaters.

Freestanding vs. Drop-In Electric Ranges

Another factor to consider when installing your electric stove is whether your unit is a freestanding or drop-in range. Some installation practices might work for one, but not the other.

Drop-in electric ranges have circuit wiring connected directly into the appliance’s panel and don’t require an outlet receptacle. Freestanding electric ranges require dedicated outlet receptacles for their plug-in cords. However, both need power sources able to withstand 220 volts.

Installing a New Outlet for Your 220V Electric Stove

When installing a new outlet for your 220V electric stove, you must consider the amount of power it uses. The voltage your electric range uses might be too much for an ordinary 110-volt outlet to handle and requires fine-tuning to prevent electrical damage in your home.

Installing an electrical outlet isn’t an easy task, and not taking precautions can be dangerous for inexperienced homeowners. If you’re unsure about your electrical skills, the best alternative is to contact an experienced electrician to handle the job.

By consulting a pro, you’re not risking your safety to install an electric stove. The last thing you want to worry about is getting hurt or causing damage to your stove or home.

Shut Down Your Home’s Electricity

Whether you perform this task yourself or request a professional to do it, the first step to installing your electric stove outlet is shutting down your home’s power source to ensure no electrical currents interrupt the operation.

You can find your home’s circuit box in several possible locations, such as your basement or garage. After finding it, turn the main disconnect switch off to cut the power in your home. This switch is typically the largest circuit breaker on the box’s panel.

Check If Your Power’s Off

Sometimes, there are issues cutting a home’s power. Make sure to test whether or not your power’s actually off to ensure it’s safe to install your new outlet.

This process is as simple as testing light switches or attempting to turn on your TV. Doing this can reduce your risks of electrocution while working on your wiring. If you have a housemate, you can ask them to alert you when the electricity has shut off. You should also use a simple multimeter to test the actual outlet your working on prior to moving forward.

Once you ensure all your power is off, you or your electrician can begin installing the necessary breakers, cables, and outlets for running your electric stove.

Installing Breakers, Cables, and Outlets

The next step you need to take is to install a new breaker switch in the circuit box to control your new electric stove outlet. Make sure there is enough space to install a double-wide circuit breaker switch according to the manufacturer’s instructions

After placing the breaker switch, you need to install a connector into the circuit box’s side in order to connect the necessary cables inside the box.

If this process is too complex for you, you can ask an electrician to inspect the connector and breakers to ensure a successful installation.

After preparing your box, you need to run the cables through the walls leading to where you want to place your electric stove’s outlet. It is important to avoid other wires and utility systems while moving the wires through the walls.

Once you finish lining up the cables, leave the longest section outside of the last hole. Then, strip the insulation at the end of the cable and connect it to the outlet before screwing it into the wall. After securing the electric outlet, you’ll soon be ready to test it out.

Plugging In and Testing Your Electric Range

The final step you have to complete is routing the outlet’s cable through the circuit box’s connector and wiring it into your circuit breaker. You should also determine how much cable you’ll need when connecting it to the ground and neutral bars.

After inserting the grounding, neutral, and hot wires into their appropriate screw terminals, check to see everything is wired correctly and in place. It would also be wise to secure the range cable if it doesn’t have stable support.

Before turning on your house’s electricity, switch the electric stove outlet’s breaker off to prevent overloading. After restoring your home’s electricity, test your outlet’s power.

If you have a multimeter on hand, you can measure the outlet’s currents or voltage. You can plug in your electric stove once you ensure that the outlet’s power is stable at 220 volts.

This process might vary depending on your circuit box or outlet’s instructions. If you need help, ask an electrician to help with the installation.

Range Power Cords: Not Included

Another thing to keep in mind is that most ranges don’t come with their power cords. Typically, you’ll need to purchase the cord separately and connect it to your stove.

Although a circuit’s size can vary, the cord and receptacle type don’t. In 1996, the National Electrical Code enforced guidelines for the use of four-conductor circuits for electric stoves and other high-energy appliances.

The NEC updated these guidelines to create safer methods for connecting power cords from the electric stove to the circuit box. Receptacles with four slots typically accept 4-prong cord plugs; if you try installing a receptacle for 3-prong cords, it’s a violation of code.

When connecting the power cord, remove the back access panel on your electric range, thread the cord into the range’s panels, and connect the necessary wires into their matching screw terminals.

Need Help Installing Your Electric Stove Outlet? Contact U.S. Electric

Our team at U.S. Electric prioritizes maintaining secure electrical and wiring operations for your home. We can step in if the installation becomes too complicated or help you right from the start. If you have any questions, contact us online or give us a call today.

Understanding What the Different Electrical Wire Colors Mean

Brad Ormsby — Wed, 02 Jun 2021 19:49:12 +0000

Regardless of what project you’re working on, knowing what electrical wire colors mean is absolutely critical. Understanding this can help you troubleshoot problems, keep your home safe, and keep you safe when working on them. But remember that every wire could carry current so always test them beforehand and proceed with caution.

If you have any doubts, contact a professional electrician and have them do the work for you.

Green, Green With Yellow Stripe, and Bare Wires

Green, green with yellow stripes, and bare wires are all considered to be ground wires. Ground wires protect an electric system from power surges during events like lightning strikes that would cause voltage spikes on any other line in the system. This is critical for preventing electrical fires and other complications caused by electrical overload.

While they do not carry electricity, if there is ever a problem due to excessive voltage coming into your home’s electrical system, grounding wires get rid of the excess electricity before it has the time to reach anything else. Otherwise, a power surge could overload and break your important electronics, from appliances to home computers.

Although they are not considered “hot” wires that actively carry currents, green wires should still be handled with caution. Remember that you shouldn’t ever use the green wire for anything other than grounding. If you do, you could be inadvertently increasing your chances of electrocution.

Many older homes have systems that don’t include grounding wires. This should be addressed by a professional right away in order to ensure that your home remains safe in the event of a power surge.

Blue and Yellow Wires

You can find blue and yellow wires most often in commercial buildings. They are commonly used as live wires pulled through a conduit, meaning that they are the wires carrying electric currents. Wires that carry electricity to outlets or switches might be blue or yellow depending on their use.

The color code for each wire dictates where it can go within a building’s electrical system: Blue wiring is usually reserved for travelers switching between three-or-four way circuits. In contrast, light switch legs (which control lights) will typically be yellow.

Black Wires

If a wire is black, it is a hot wire. That means it will conduct the live current straight from the electrical box to its final destination. Black wires pass electricity to the outlets and appliances in your home’s principal power supply. They can also be used as switch legs. These connect the wall switches with plugs or lights, which then get energized after you turn on the switch.

Remember that it’s essential for safety reasons that you shut off any circuit breakers supplying black circuits before working on them. If not, you could put yourself in a hazardous situation. It is important to treat all wires as hot wires, but particularly black wires.

White and Gray Wires

White or gray wires are neutral wires. A neutral wire returns electricity from the hot line back to your home’s electrical panel and completes the circuit. You can also use a white or gray wire as an alternate power source for outlets not served by another cable, but it is important to clearly mark both ends with colored tape.

Even though they are considered neutral, white and gray wires might be carrying currents and pose a real danger if you don’t handle them properly – one wrong move could result in electrocution. Since these wires are carrying power back to the service panel, they should be handled with caution.

Red and Orange Wires

Red and orange electrical wires are often used as secondary live wires when installing large appliances like stoves, dryers, or air conditioning units. This is because they can produce 240 volts for these larger appliances that require more power than smaller devices that only need one (black) supply wire to work.

While you mostly use red or orange wires with larger appliances, you can utilize them on small voltage applications such as lighting systems.

Additionally, red wires are frequently used as trigger wires for smoke alarms that are interconnected. If you do this, the red trigger wire allows all the interconnected smoke alarms to go off simultaneously when smoke triggers a single alarm.

Reach Out To The Professionals At U.S. Electric

Electrical projects can be incredibly complicated. If you have a project that includes wiring, it is essential to know which wire corresponds with which purpose so you can keep yourself and your family safe while working on projects around your home or office.

If you need help with any electrical project, don’t worry. We are just one call away. Our team of professional electricians can assist you with any project you have, from essential electrical upgrades all the way to large-scale commercial projects. Call us today for solutions to all of your electrical needs.

When Should You Hire An Electrician In Richmond?

Brad Ormsby — Wed, 07 Oct 2020 04:34:57 +0000

Every now and then, we encounter things that need fixing in our homes. A spark each time you plug in your microwave oven? Burning smell from your outlets? These may seem like minor electrical issues but can escalate to serious problems if they’re not fixed.

Electricity, unlike other home projects, is not something you should DIY. Don’t look for step-by-step solutions on YouTube. Just get a licensed, insured, and professional electrician to do the job. Thankfully, our team at U.S. Electric is here to provide fast, efficient, and knowledgeable solutions to clients throughout Richmond and the surrounding areas.

Signs That You Need An Electrician

On and off Tripping of Circuit Breakers (System Failure)

A circuit breaker is a crucial component in every electrical system. Its main job is to track the circuit and automatically shut it off once it detects an overload. Overload happens when too much current passes through it.

How do you prevent a circuit overload? If something goes wrong, try resetting your circuit breaker. Doing this once every few months is fine. Though, if there’s the need to reset more often, consider that as a red flag. It’s a sign that there could be more serious electrical problems that need to be addressed.

Dimming and Flickering Lights

Are your lights flickering or dimming when using small appliances? How about when turning on multiple outlets? These are signs of potential wiring problems. Several outlets may be working off of a single circuit. It’s also possible that some of your appliances are not wired to dedicated circuits. This impacts power distribution, resulting in flickering lights.

Over time, the wiring in your home or business deteriorates. There are many factors that contribute to this, including pests that chew on wires. The best thing to do is to update your old electrical system and hire a pro to come out and take a look at how it’s set up.

Age of Property: Older Home or Building

If your home or business is more than 25 years old, then clearly, it’s time to completely upgrade the electrical system. Consider this as an urgent matter, most especially if you have mice or other rodents around that gnaw on wires. Outdated wires spell disaster for every property.

Plastic Burning Smell

Burnt, brown marked or discolored sockets, switches our outlets are visual signs of overheating. But, what about those signs that you don’t see? If you smell burning plastic, prepare a fire extinguisher and reach out to an experienced electrician right away. Don’t ignore it, even if the source is not visible.

Need for More Power Outlets (Too Many Extensions Cords)

When too many electronics are plugged into one receptacle, overloading can happen. Extension cords should not be used as a replacement for permanent electrical wiring. These are only useful when it comes to delivering power right where you need it. It’s just a temporary solution. Use it with caution. Apart from being a trip hazard, they can overload, overheat, and cause a fire.

Buzzing and Humming Sounds

Humming or buzzing sounds from the breaker box, outlet, switch or socket means that there are clearly wiring problems in your home. If you notice weird sounds, call us. Your circuit breaker is designed to protect you from electrical damages. If it makes any noise, get in touch with us for an inspection today.

Spiking Electric Bills

Did you get an unusually large electric bill that you can’t clearly explain? This is often the result of damaged wiring. Faulty wiring can cause all connected electronics to heat up, and consume extra electricity. Check your previous electrical bills. If it’s steadily increasing, it’s time to contact an electrician.

Sparks

Do you notice a spark each time you plug in an appliance? This is usually normal. Though, outlets can spark abnormally due to faulty wiring or improper installation. If it’s white or yellow, easily noticeable and/or lasts over a second, your electrical system clearly needs repair as soon as possible.

Hot or Tingling Outlets and Light Switches

Do you get a mild shock when touching an outlet or switch? Black marks on switch terminals, wire ends, and switch plates? Do the electrical system surfaces feel warm to the touch? These are signs that you need wiring and electrical checkup. These could indicate that the outlets are bad, wiring issues, and present fire hazards so it should be inspected as soon as possible.

Damaged or Tangled Wires

Never take damaged, tangled, or outdated electrical wirings lightly. Usually caused by rodents, pets, amateur handymen, or wear and tear of old age, this is a huge fire and shock hazard. Feel free to check your wiring for any signs of damage. If there are any causes for concern, we are at your service.

Hired Electrician vs DIY

While it’s tempting to DIY electrical work to save a few bucks, the result can be disastrous. Understanding electrical systems requires thorough training–something you can’t get from YouTube tutorials. If you end up with the wrong fuse, incorrect wire size, or one of a million other problems, you could injure yourself and even burn your house down.

Hire a well-trained, experienced electrician. This professional is highly knowledgeable in electrical system installation, repairs, and other services. He or she has the relevant background and tools needed to get the work done in a successful way, the first time around. Furthermore, with a fully licensed, insured contractor, you can enjoy peace in mind knowing that the job is covered by insurance.

Hiring a professional is still the best way to solve any electrical issue around your home or business, no matter how big or small it is. Need a quality electrician in Richmond, Virginia? Give us a call for a free quote.

Need an Expert Electrician? Contact US Electric

At U.S. Electric, we know the importance of maintaining the electrical and wiring system in your home. For repairs or other electrical issues, trust our dependable team. We do residential and commercial electrical, guarantee all work, and we’re licensed and insured.

How To Become An Electrician In Virginia

Emily Us — Wed, 07 Oct 2020 04:31:24 +0000

Home and business owners depend on electricians to repair, install, and maintain electrical systems. They always have and always will which means the electrical industry isn’t going anywhere. Couple that with the fact that you can work in a dynamic, hands-on environment and you can see why electricians love their jobs. But you already knew a lot of that which is why you’re searching for how to become an electrician in Virginia. Below, we cover everything you need to know to get started on your journey to becoming a licensed electrician.

Let’s get right to it…

Getting started:

Attend an electrical school. You can take an electrical training program at community colleges and tech schools. Electrician courses require 240 hours of classroom work that takes around 12 months to complete. Furthermore, you need to complete 8,000 hours or 4 years of on-the-job training as an apprentice. After completing those, you can finally take the Virginia licensing exam. Once you pass the exam, you’re a licensed electrician.

Electrician Training: Community College & Tech School

Skills you learn at electrical school:

Wiring electrical systems
Reading blueprints and drafting blueprints
Checking electrical systems installed by others
Using measurement devices to gauge how much electricity is running through a circuit
Understanding electrical theory and how to safely work with electricity

Going to electrical school will give you lots of solid training, and higher earnings compared to unskilled workers in the field. You also become an asset to the job market. The downside? It’s not free, so you may have to take loans. That being said, the cost of electrical school in Virginia is affordable at $4,000-$5,000/year for in-state tuition.

Electrician School Requirements

GED or high school diploma
Transcript records indicating a completed minimum of 1 semester of algebra
Must be at least 18 years old

Journeyman Electrician License Requirements

Journeyman electricians repair and install electrical systems. They inspect transformers, wires, and circuit breakers as part of their job. Here are the requirements for journeyman electrician licensing.

Approval to sit for the journeyman exam
Pass an examination
Two years of on-the-job electrician training
A high school diploma or GED
A two-year completed electrical program at a community college or trade school
Proof of work experience and education

Master Electrician License Requirements

Master electricians have the expertise to repair, maintain, and install complicated electrical systems. Oftentimes, they supervise apprentices and journeymen electricians. Here are the requirements to become a master electrician:

Must be at least 18 years old
Pass the examination
At least one year of journeyman electrician experience
Ten (10) years of electrician experience (for those without journeyman license)
Proof of work experience

How To Choose An Electrical School

See to it that the program is certified by the Virginia licensing board
Verify that the curriculum of the school or college has an apprentice program
Check if the program grants financial assistance
Select institutions with programs that meet Virginia licensing requirements

Apprentice Programs

An apprenticeship combines one-on-one technical instructions with on-the-job training. You need this to prepare yourself for the high demands of the electrical field.

The program pairs applicants with seasoned electricians and gives the trainee small jobs as part of the learning process. While there is some classroom work involved, the tasks focus more on the job training.

The best thing about this is that participants are paid hourly. Their hours also typically count towards state licensing. Joining an apprentice program may be a challenge and require some persistence. The waitlists tend to be long so do some research into this aspect before signing up for a program.

Virginia Electrician Apprenticeship Qualifications

Must be at least 18 years old to enroll
Possess a high school diploma or GED
Attended an interview
Physically capable of performing work
Pass a general aptitude examination
Taken and passed Algebra I class

On-the-job (OTJ) Experience

Take the required electrician training courses
Be knowledgeable about Virginia safety requirements and electrical codes
Performing electrical installations for commercial and residential properties
Replacing and repairing electrical wires in existing dwellings
Connect and install wires
Carry out all jobs under the direction and supervision of a licensed electrician

Virginia Electrician Salary

Curious about the amount of money you can earn as an electrician in Virginia? According to the data from the federal government, electricians have an average hourly wage of $24.97, and an average yearly wage of $54,690. This is the average number for electricians in VA. That being said, you can start your own company and have the potential to make substantially more money.

Why Is Licensing So Important?

All electrical contractors working in the state of Virginia must have licenses. Here are the top three reasons why it’s important.

It guards the security of employers and clients.
Maintaining a current certification is required by the law in Virginia.
National, local, and state codes constantly change. A certification is an assurance that electricians know these revisions.

Common Electrician Licenses

There are 11 Types of Certifications that an electrician can carry:

Apprentice Electrician
Journeyman Electrician License: authorized to install, modify, and maintain electrical controls, systems, and apparatus
- Class A Journeyman Electrician
- Class B Journeyman Electrician
Master Electrician License: authorized to maintain, install, and repair electrical equipment, control systems, and electrical wiring. They supervise and monitor electrician apprentices and journeyman electricians
- Class A Master Electrician
- Class B Master Electrician
Electrical Contractor License
Residential Electrician
Residential Electrical Contractor
Residential Master Technician
Special Electrician
Unclassified Person

Electrician Training & Apprenticeship Program

Below is a list of all the electrical schools in Virginia, including all the apprenticeship opportunities in the state.

Virginia Electrical Schools

Virginia Highlands Community College
- 100 VHCC Drive
- Abingdon, VA 24210
- (276) 739-2400
- (877) 207-6115

Mountain Empire Community College
- 3441 Mountain Empire Road
- Big Stone Gap, VA 24219
- (276) 523-2400
- Email: info@mecc.edu

John Tyler Community College
- 13101 Jefferson Davis Highway
- Chester, Virginia 23831-5316
- (804) 706-5096

Dabney S. Lancaster Community College — Clifton Forge Campus
- 1000 Dabney Drive
- Clifton Forge, VA 24422
- (540) 863-2800

Danville Community
- 1008 South Main
- Danville, VA
- (800) 560-4291

New River Community
- 5251 College Drive
- Dublin, VA
- (866) 462-6722

Tidewater Community College — Chesapeake Campus
- 1428 Cedar Road
- Chesapeake, VA 23322
- (757) 822-1122

Southside Virginia Community College
- 1300 Greensville County Circle
- Emporia, VA 23847
- (434) 634-9358

Paul D. Camp Community (PDCCC)— Franklin Campus
- 100 North College Drive
- Franklin, VA 23851
- (757) 569-6700

Eastern Shore Community College
- 29300 Lankford Highway
- Melfa, VA 23410
- (757) 789-1789

Lord Fairfax Community — Middletown Campus
- 173 Skirmisher
- Middletown, VA
- (800) 906-LFCC
- multiple locations)

Paul D. Camp Community — Smithfield Campus
- 253 James Street
- Smithfield, VA 23430
- (757) 925-6340

Northern VA Community
- (Multiple Locations in Northern Virginia)
- 6699 Springfield Center Drive
- Springfield, VA 22150
- (703) 323-3000

Paul D. Camp Community — Hobbs Suffolk Campus
- 271 Kenyon
- Suffolk, VA
- (757) 925-6312

Blue Ridge Community College
- One College Lane
- Weyers Cave, VA 24486
- (540) 234-9261
- (888) 750-2722

Wytheville Community College – Main Campus
- 1000 East Main Street
- Wytheville, VA 24382
- (276) 223-4700
- (800) 468-1195

Union Apprenticeship Programs in Virginia

JATC of Richmond Electricians
- 11255 Air Park Road
- Ashland, VA 23005
- (804) 752-8266

Training at Tidewater Electrical
- 828 Providence Road
- Chesapeake, VA 23325
- (757) 480-2812

JATC of Hampton Roads
- 553 Industrial Park Drive
- Newport News, VA 23608
- (757) 875-1744

Independent Electrical Contractors (“IEC”) Apprenticeships in Virginia (Non-Union)

IEC Chesapeake
- 8751 Freestate Drive
- Laurel, MD 20723
- (800) 470-3013

ABC Apprenticeships in Virginia (Non-Union)

A non-union organization called The Associated Builders and Contractors (“ABC”) also offers apprenticeships in Virginia. They have three locations:

Dulles, VA; phone number: (703) 968-6205
Richmond, VA; phone number: (804) 346-4222
Norfolk, VA; phone number: (757) 855-8220

FAQs

How much is a journeyman license fee?

Journeyman license fees range from $75 to $200.

How much is the Virginia apprenticeship application fee?

Apprenticeship application fees in Virginia are around $25 to $50.

What is the passing score for the journeyman electrician test? The master electrician test? What topics will the exam cover?

You need a score of at least 70% to pass both the journeyman and master license test. It’s an open-book examination, and the coverage includes but not limited to the following:

General Electrical Knowledge
Electrical Signs and Outline Lighting
Electrical-Electronic Fundamentals Services
Grounding and Bonding
Conductors and Cables
Raceways and Boxes
Special Occupancies
Special Equipment
Fire Detection and Alarm Systems
Motors and Controls
Utilization Equipment
Lighting
General Low Voltage Requirements
Communication Systems
Requirements for Electrical Installations

There is also a regulatory/statutory section incorporated into the exam and its contents include:

Standards of Practice
Standards of Conduct
Renewal and Reinstatement
Definitions
Qualification for Licensure
Revocation of Licensure

How much will the test fees be?

There’s an examination fee for every license — $100 for journeyman electricians, and $125 for master electricians.

Is my license only valid in Virginia?

Virginia has reciprocity agreements with several other states. If you’re licensed in one of the states included in that agreement, you may only need to submit a few simple forms to get approved for work in VA.

How often do I need to renew my Electrician License in Virginia?

All electricians must complete continuing education to renew their licenses and must renew them every 2 years. The state of Virginia requires you to complete continuing education of at least 3 hours every 2 years. Only the programs offered by approved providers count.

Should I join an Electrician Union in Virginia?

Unions in Virginia require licensed electricians to pay membership dues to be able to join. These dues cost around $100 to $200 each month. It may seem a lot, but it’s worth it. Over 90% of the members are insured by employers. Unions also help negotiate more competitive salaries, as well as sick pays and pension plans for electricians.

Am I required to have Electrician Insurance?

Electrical professionals who work in Virginia are required to have general liability insurance coverage.

How can I use my electrician license to land a job?

Government organizations, small businesses, and huge corporations offer hundreds of electrical jobs. Browse the following websites when looking for jobs and apprenticeships in Virginia: Electrical Agent, Glassdoor, Electrical Jobs Today, and CareerBuilder.

Test Preparation Resources

–Virginia Electrician License Exam

–American Contractors Exam Services

–VA Master Electrician – PSI Exam Online