Range outlet outdoors
Trevor_Lambert
| Posted in General Questions on
I want to add an outdoor stove/range, which will be covered by some kind of awning or porch roof (to be determined later). Obviously I need an outlet for the range. Seems like I might have two options:
1) put the outlet inside the house and permanently install the power cord for the range through the wall.
2) install an outlet on the exterior of the house
Is there such a thing as a weather resistant range box? I’ve only seen them for lights and standard outlets. Is this not a thing? I can hardly believe I’m the first person to have the idea to have a stove outside.
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Assuming I understand you correctly, you need something like this: https://www.homedepot.ca/product/thomas-betts-weatherproof-50-amp-receptacle-pvc-cover/1000667223
Installed with the appropriate weatherproof accompanying box and conduit.
Trevor,
That's an interesting one. Outside kitchens are very popular now, but all the ones I've seen are entirely gas fuelled.
The only comparable large outdoor appliance I can think of are hot tubs, which need both GFCI protection, and in some places an outdoor switch on the service line. Pure speculation, but I wonder if those requirements might also apply to ranges?
Good info, thanks guys. The receptacle cover looks close to what I'd need, but has a circular cutout. I've never seen a range receptacle to fit a circular cutout, does one of those exist? Edit: duck ducked it and found one, now I just have to figure out a source.
GFCI protection is pretty easy to provide at the panel. I doubt the switch is required, given that it's a plug load. I think the outdoor disconnect is there for servicing the equipment, but I could be mistaken.
I worked with several Italian drywall contractors in Ottawa and Calgary. They all had second stoves in their garages to cook things their wives didn't want in the kitchen.
Check out the in-line GFCI sub-panels they sell for hot tubs. They are about half the price of the 50 amp breaker.
You can get range outlets (NEMA 6-50R for hot/hot/ground 240v only, or NEMA 14-50R for hot/hot/neutral/ground 120/240. You probably need the second one to meet current codes) at commercial electrical supply houses. They generally have a round receptacle to fit a faceplate for a 4" square box.
The drip tight cover with an outdoor outlet in it would be the proper way to do this. You should NOT run a cord through a wall. Make sure to seal things properly so that water can't run into the box, which generally means a bead of caulk around the top and sides but not the bottom (to allow for drainage of anything that leaks in).
Malcolm is correct that you should really use a GFCI breaker for this outlet since it's going to be outdoors (a "damp location" per code). That would be a two pole GFCI breaker, which will be around $100-200 depending on the panel you have. Even if the sub panels for spas are cheaper, I'd still go with the normal GFCI breaker since I think it will make a cleaner installation.
Bill