How to Install an Electric Oven

While a gas oven requires less electricity, an electric oven has numerous advantages over a gas-powered one. An electric oven puts less stress on your kitchen’s cooling system, requires less maintenance and ventilation, and generally cooks food more evenly. With a moderate level of home-improvement knowledge and the steps outlined below, you can install an electric oven by yourself.

Step 1 – Check Your Local Codes

Before starting, do some research on your local electrical codes to make sure your oven and wiring project you want to complete is permissible. In addition, check your main electric panel. Your electric oven needs to run on an individual grounded circuit.

Step 2 – Turn off the Power

Locate the junction box you will be using to connect your household power with the oven. You must make sure that the circuit your oven will occupy is deactivated while you install it, or you could be severely injured.

Step 3 – Place the Unit

Before installing the oven, you must place it in its approximate final position.

Placing a Wall-Mounted Oven

If you're installing an oven that is wall-mounted, set the unit near its proper position. Allow for enough cable length so that the connections can be done without creating a strain on the wiring.

Placing a Freestanding Oven

If you're installing a freestanding oven, move the oven in place enough that you can get behind it without putting unnecessary strain on the cables.

Step 4 – Locate the Wires

Remove the covers from the proper access holes on the junction box and fit them with appropriate cable connectors to hold the wiring securely in place. Locate the four wires running through a large sheath from the back of the oven and remove between 3/8 and 1/2 inch of insulation from each wire for proper connection.

Step 5 – Make the Connections

Warning: Improper connections can result in a short circuit or fire so double-check to make sure all connections are tight. Choose wire connectors of the proper size to ensure good solid wire connections.

Next, connect the wires to get the oven working. If local codes do not permit a frame-grounding connection to the neutral power-supply wire, connect the white wire from the oven to the corresponding white wire coming from the panel. Ground the green or copper lead from the oven.

Using a Frame-Grounding Connector

If local codes permit you to connect a frame-grounding connector to the neutral wire, connect the green wire, or sometimes copper, and the white wire from the oven to the power source ground wire, usually white, inside the junction box. Fix the connection in place with a small screw.

Then, match the red wire from the oven to the corresponding red wire from the power source. Repeat this process for the black wire. Finally, connect them using wire connectors.

Step 6 – Finish Up

Install the cover on the junction box, then re-activate the circuit breaker and turn on your electric oven to make sure it works.

If the oven is a stand-alone unit, move it into its appropriate position. If everything works, you're now ready to start using your electric oven.