Proper wire

13 years ago

I want to purchase wire for my induction cooktop which requires a dedicated 50 amps. The infor in the manual says "240/208V AC, 60 Hz, 3-wire, single-phase power supply." I know I need 6 gauge wire but would this be 6-2 (white,black and ground) or 6-3 (black,red,white and ground)? I don't have the cooktop yet to check if it has common/neutral (white) or not. My gut tells me it is just 2 hot leads and ground?? Thoughts?

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Comments (10)

petey_racer
13 years ago
My thoughts are that the instructions for these things SUCK.
They'll say 240V and then throw at you "3-wire", which could mean 120/240v, or 240V including the ground.

I'd wait until you get it, unless you can confirm for certain the requirements.
mike_kaiser_gw
13 years ago
Does the manual show a wiring diagram. How about calling the manufacturer?
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Ron Natalie
13 years ago
If it says it can live with 240/208, I doubt highly it gives a hoot about the grounded conductor (i.e. neutral). Does it show the connections. Unless it has a specific place to land a grounded conductor, I don't think it cares. Never seen an induction cooktop that did. You have a manu/model number, we can look at it for you.
rentaltux
Original Author
13 years ago
I cannot find any wiring diagram. The model is CI 491 it is a Gaggenau induction cooktop. I have about 300 feet of 6-2 Teck Cable so I was hoping I could use it and save $$$. I was hoping to avoid buying 6-3 if it isn't needed.
Ron Natalie
13 years ago
The installation instructions are on the Gaggenau web site. there are three wires: black (L1), red (L2), and green (ground).

You only need 6-2.
Ron Natalie
13 years ago
The above being said, I might be inclined to run 6-3 anyhow just in case some day someone wants to put a different cooktop there that does require the grounded conductor.
brickeyee
13 years ago
"They'll say 240V and then throw at you "3-wire", which could mean 120/240v, or 240V including the ground. "

If they need a neutral they should be labeled as 120/240 V, NOT just 240 V (or 240/208 V).

Look on the nameplate.
It is more likely to be correct since it is used by the agencies that 'list' equipment (like UL).

You could ask for a copy of the listing from the manufacturer.
jagans
13 years ago
Its probably a German cooktop where everything runs on 220-40
The green wire is a giveaway. US appliances sometime need 120 for motors and such, and 240 for the heating element (In the case of an electric dryer.)
jagans
13 years ago
Its probably a European manufactured cooktop in a country where everything runs on 220-40 (German?)
The green wire is a giveaway. US appliances sometime need 120 for motors and such, and 240 for the heating element (In the case of an electric dryer.)
Ron Natalie
13 years ago
You can sit there and guess what all you want, but I already pointed out that I had downloaded the installation manual for the thing after he provided the model # AND THERE ARE ONLY L1/L2 (208-240) plus a ground.