Range outlet and cold weather

10 years ago

Project: I was moving my range outlet so I could push the oven all the way back (the outlet was too high on the wall). During said process, I had trouble getting the hot contacts to tighten again and I discovered that both hot contacts broke while hand tightening with a screwdriver. I had installed this outlet only a couple years ago, replacing a fairly old outlet. My only guess as to why it broke so quickly was due to the cold air flowing through the outlet. I noticed there was a steady cold coming from the outlet when I started to take it apart. I am thinking the hot wires were feeding the range and heating up and then they would get cold quickly due to the draftiness and over time it made those contacts brittle and easily broken. I spray foamed the wall cavity with fireblock so hopefully this doesnt happen again! Only thing I would recommend is you have a new outlet ready and just toss the old one, even if it is fairly new. The new outlet was like 5 bucks... but it was a hassle for me because I didnt have one on hand and had to drive into town lol.

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Comments (5)

randy427
10 years ago
I'd put the problem with the heat, not the cold. A connection that is not properly tightened, or has a high resistance for some other reason, will generate a lot of heat when a heavy current is passed through, like for a range.

I also haven't seen a range receptacle for under $10 that I though worth picking up. JMHO
Vith
Original Author
10 years ago
last modified: 10 years ago
I agree with you on the price thing and choosing quality, but that is all they have for 3 prong 50 amp. Literally. I just checked price at different stores/mfg brands and its comparable (HD, Lowes, Menards). And they only carry one of that type in either flush mount or surface mount.
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Vith
Original Author
10 years ago
last modified: 10 years ago
I do know that heating metals then rapidly cooling them makes them harder and more brittle at the same time. It doesn't have to be heat caused by a problem, just inherent heat due to high amps. Now imagine doing that over and over for however many years. I just think it makes for a good case study, that high amp outlets should be well insulated from drafts in cold climates.

Find me a 10-50R for over $10 and I will believe they exist. Perhaps they should up the quality/price of what is available. They pass NEMA testing, maybe they didnt think of the clamp connection getting brittle due to exposure to cold winter drafts. I did not tighten them hard to break them there was pretty much no resistance, I didnt even feel it break they just never got tight and I found out it had broken.

Anyhow, I shouldnt have a problem again, no drafts now.
gregbradley
10 years ago
HD, Lowes, and Menards are not acceptable places to buy a decent component. Thinks that's bad, I had to order good quality fluorescent lamp sockets as I couldn't even find them in stock at the local commercial electrical suppliers except Grainger at double the price. That would have been OK for one or two but not for hundreds.
Vith
Original Author
10 years ago
last modified: 10 years ago
Again, find me a 10-50R with this face online for over $10. Good luck.

http://www.mscdirect.com/product/details/48670657?src=pla&cid=PLA-Google-PLA+-+Test&CS_003=7867724&CS_010=48670657

If they exist, I shouldnt have to hunt that hard. I do not agree those
stores are not acceptable, there are underwriters laboratory (UL) tests
for a reason. If they were not safe to use they wouldnt be available.
Obviously there are higher quality receptacles for things like light switches and standard outlets, (which they carry at those stores btw) but I do not see the argument here for this type of receptacle as they honestly do not make them better.