Does a Gas Range Need a Dedicated Circuit? (And Why?)
A gas range is a great alternative to an electric range, especially if you want to save on your power bill.
Back in the day, you only needed dedicated circuits for heavy electrical appliances. Since gas ranges only burned fuel, they did not require a dedicated circuit.
But is that still the case? What about modern gas ranges with updated features like electric displays and timers?
In this article, we explain whether or not you need to install a dedicated circuit for your gas range.
Does a Gas Stove Need a Dedicated Circuit?
The answer is both yes and no, depending on the model of the gas range. Older models may not require a dedicated circuit, but newer models definitely need one.
It’s wise to have a separate circuit for an appliance like a gas range with a built-in convection oven or an integrated extractor as well as any additional lights, high-cap igniters, or other such features as these consume more energy.
So, if you’re unsure, it’s always best to check with the manufacturer or your local electrician to be sure.
Either way, it’s important to make sure that the circuit is able to handle the high demand of a gas range.
However, a basic gas range does not need a dedicated circuit. Although, it is recommended that you have one circuit for your gas range and another for your other appliances. This will help to prevent any potential electrical problems.
However, you should know that a modern gas range with many features requires a dedicated circuit in order to function properly.
This is because the range uses a lot of power, and the circuit needs to be able to handle the high demand. If you don’t have a dedicated circuit, you may experience problems with your range, such as it not working properly or even shutting off.
The gas stove can be connected to a regular 110V household circuit as long as the amperage is 15 or 20 amps. Most old or cheap stoves with no features have a rating of 8 to 12 amps, so they will not overload the circuit.
When using a gas stove on a dedicated circuit, make sure that the breaker is labeled “STOVES” or “RANGES.”
However, in most cases, 110V is not enough because the gas range also comes with a vent hood, and in that case, a 120-125-volt receptacle is required to power your gas range.
Why Your Gas Range Needs a Dedicated Circuit?
As we mentioned before, a gas range needs a dedicated circuit because it uses a lot of power.
The average gas range uses between 4,000 and 8,500 watts of power. That’s a lot of power! And that’s why you need a dedicated circuit.
Pre-1990s gas stoves and ovens did not use as much power as the ones today. This is because they did not have all the fancy features that we have come to expect in a gas range.
Today’s gas ranges come with features such as:
• Electric displays
• Timers
• Self-cleaning cycles
• Lights
• High-cap igniters
All of these features require a lot of power to run. And that’s why you need a dedicated circuit for your gas range.
A dedicated circuit ensures that your gas range has the power it needs to function properly.
It also helps to prevent any electrical problems that could occur if the circuit is overloaded.
A 120/125-volt outlet is typically required for a gas range in order to power the range controls as well as the vent hood, which exhausts the smells and smoke produced during cooking.
If your gas range doesn’t have its own dedicated circuit, it can trip the breakers.
How Many Amps Does a Gas Stove Require?
Typically, a 50-amp circuit is needed for a range, but this can vary depending on the model. 50-amp range circuits are common in new homes because they are sufficient for most home ranges.
Some of the more basic gas stoves and ranges require only 10-30 amps. But this number depends on the stove or oven’s size, power settings, and the model.
If you’re unsure of the amperage needed for your range, it’s always best to check with the manufacturer or your local electrician.
How Do You Calculate the Power Consumption of an Oven?
An oven’s power consumption can be calculated by finding out how many watts it uses.
The type and size of the oven, as well as how often it will be used, should all be factors to consider as well.
You would need to learn the wattage of the stove and how long it has been in use to calculate the oven’s power consumption. In order to run, most ovens use between 2000 and 5000 watts.
With this information, you can easily figure out how much power the oven requires to run.
You’ll need to consider additional factors as well. To give a few examples, you should think about the oven’s mode of operation, cooking temperature, how often you use the oven, its size, and its type.
Here’s the formula:
Multiply the number of watts that your gas oven uses by the runtime of the oven in one hour. This gives you total power consumption and will determine if the dedicated circuit is an absolute necessity.
What Happens if You Don’t Have a Dedicated Circuit For Your Gas Range?
If you don’t have a dedicated circuit for your gas range, you may experience problems with your range, such as it not working properly or even shutting off.
This is because the range uses a lot of power, and the circuit needs to be able to handle the high demand.
The most common problem is that the gas range trips the breaker. This can happen if the circuit is overloaded or if there is a short circuit. If this happens, you’ll need to reset the breaker.
Can You Plug a Gas Stove Into a Regular Outlet?
A gas stove can be plugged into a regular 120-volt outlet. This is enough to power the oven’s ignition system. But it doesn’t mean that all the more modern features will work properly.
For example, if your gas stove has an electronic display or timer, it may not work properly if plugged into a regular outlet.
Again, we want to remind you that a gas stove requires a dedicated circuit in order to function properly.
If you try to plug a gas stove into a regular outlet, you may experience problems with your range, such as it not working properly or even shutting off.
Does an Electric Range Need a Dedicated Circuit?
Yes, an electric range definitely needs a dedicated circuit because it pulls a lot of power.
Since an electric stove’s amp requirements are high, a 50-amp circuit breaker is all that’s needed. It’s possible that if you run a second appliance on the same circuit as your stove, it could overload the breaker and trip it.
Any electric range requires a dedicated 50-amp circuit with 240/250 volts. In order to feed the electric range, a 6/3 NM cable must be installed.
The idea is that an electric range can have more than one burner, and, in that case, the amp requirement grows.
The average electric range uses about 30 to 50 amps but if it has extra features and burners, it can use as much as 60 amps, so a dedicated circuit is needed.
What Appliances Need a Dedicated Circuit?
Dishwashers, electric dryers, electric ranges, microwaves, and some garbage disposals all require dedicated circuits. You can add gas ranges to this list too because they need an uninterrupted power supply to light the burner.
Other appliances, such as refrigerators, freezers, washers, and certain types of air conditioners, may also require dedicated circuits depending on their size and power requirements.
Having a dedicated circuit for each means that the circuit is not shared with any other appliance or light.
The bottom line is that each of these appliances needs its own circuit to operate safely.
Some homeowners try to save money by sharing circuits between appliances, but this is not recommended.
Not only is it a fire hazard, but it can also damage your appliances.
So, if you’re wondering whether or not you should get a dedicated circuit for your gas range, the answer is yes. It’s the best way to ensure that your appliance is safe and will work properly.
Can a Gas Stove Share a Circuit?
Generally, a single circuit can be used to power a cooktop and a wall oven, provided that the total electrical load of both does not exceed the safe capacity of the circuit.
The gas stove should not share a circuit with other large appliances like dishwashers, for example. Each gas range should have a dedicated circuit for safety reasons.
Conclusion
When installing a new gas range or gas stove, it’s always best to use a dedicated circuit. This will ensure that your appliance has the uninterrupted power supply it needs to operate safely. Also, it ensures your gas range doesn’t become a fire hazard.
It’s also a good idea to have a dedicated circuit for other appliances that require one, such as electric dryers and dishwashers.
While you may be tempted to save money by sharing circuits between appliances, this is not recommended.
