Testing an electric stove

[InsanePyro]

I have a electric stove I bought at my old house and didn't need it at my new house. Yesterday I took it to someones house to sell it and it didn't work. Now this wasn't exactly in the best part of town and the plug looked rather beat and gunked up (just getting the plug in was a chore). Now I'd test in place of my current stove or even dryer but they both use the a 4 prong 220v as opposed to my "old" stove uses a 3 prong. Is there a way I can test this thing to avoid wasting anyones elses (and my own) time?

 

[G_P]

Bring a multimeter and make sure they have voltage at the plug. If they didn't currently have a stove there the breaker may have been shut off.

Never seen an electric stove totally die. Usually elements fail one at a time.

 

[InsanePyro]

I had them reset the breaker and all. I'd rather not go prodding into other peoples **** so they can't turn around and say I broke it. I know a multimeter is simple but people are stupid

 

[G_P]

Without verifying power at the plug there is nothing you can do for them.

You might have to bite the bullet and buy a 4 wire cord for it so you can test it. If you sell it to someone with a 4 wire plug charge them for the cord.

Got any friends with a 3 wire range outlet in the garage for a welder?

 

[InsanePyro]

They're swapable?

 

[tankd0g]

Did you check for internal fuses in the oven? Sometimes they are under the cover on top of the controls.

 

[G_P]

They're swapable?

You can put a 4 wire cord on a 3 wire stove. You just wont use the white (neutral) wire.

A 3 wire is red(hot), Black(hot) and green(ground)
A 4 wire is the same it just has a White (neutral) in it.

 

[Norcal]

You can put a 4 wire cord on a 3 wire stove. You just wont use the white (neutral) wire.

A 3 wire is red(hot), Black(hot) and green(ground)
A 4 wire is the same it just has a White (neutral) in it.

The above is WAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAY wrong. There is no grounding conductor in a 3-wire appliance hookup, it was allowed to ground the frame to the neutral w/ that setup. A 4-wire has a separate grounding conductor.

When converting from 3-wire to 4-wire, the bonding strap/jumper from the neutral to the frame of the appliance MUST be removed, if converting from 4-wire to 3-wire, it must be reinstalled.

 

[Socophreak]

Yeah I'd just throw a 4 wire cord on there. Probably the easiest way. Or you could temporarialy rob one off of your current appliances to test.

 

[InsanePyro]

I was thinking of it but since I rent I didn't want to go messing with what isn't technically mine.

These stupid cords can't be too expensive can they?