Is it possible to change a range outlet (three straight prong) to a 4 outlet prong ?

Question

Old range is a 3 straight prong but new range is a 4. There are only 3 wire on that connection.

Answer 1

Black are hot white are neutral. 4 wire uses double ground with 1 neutral and one ground. They end up in the same place but new codes put 60amps next to your sink so the double ground is a good idea. Most dryers can be wired 3 or 4 wire, read the manual. I you want you can jump the neutrals together and it will work.

Answer 2

You can replace the cord quite easily.  Here is a writeup with good pictures:  http://www.hammerzone.com/archives/elect...

By the way, new code requires the extra wire but if your house is already wired it is grandfathered in with the three prong plug you have installed.

Answer 3

yes

Answer 4

If you want to do it correctly, and there are not four wires in the cable from the panelboard to where the range outlet is located, you will need to run a new four wire cable from the panelboard to the outlet location.  The new cable will have a bare ground wire, a white wire, a black wire and a red wire.   The back and red wires connect to the circuit breaker for the range.  The white wire goes on the neutral bar.  The bare wire goes on the ground bar.   The neutral bar and the ground bar may be one and the same if you have a typical panelboard with a main breaker at the top and all the branch circuit breakers below that.   Connect the wires at the outlet end as shown in the instructions that came with the outlet.

If you don't understand any of this, the best thing to do is to call a licensed electrician to do the work for you.

Another alternative is to replace the 4 wire range cord with a 3 wire cord.   My new range did not come with a cord, and it came with instructions for using either type.