Would There Be A Fire?

[molo]

My question is about an electric oven. The outlet is a 3-prong 220 outlet with a fuse (not a circuit breaker). The cord was missing on the stove. I accidentally grabbed a 10 ga. 30amp electric dryer cord (which wouldn't have plugged into the outlet). If it had been able to plug in would the fuse have prevented a fire or would the cord have started to smoke/burn?

Thanks,
Molo

[jimbo]

That cord is designed to safely handle 30 amps. A stove may draw 40-ish amps, and might be fused for 40 or 50 amps. SO, the fuse does not protect the cord from being overloaded. In the scenario you describe, we do not jump right to "fire"...but the insulation might get too warm, could even melt, and eventually bad things could happen. The different PLUGS are "different" for this exact reason...so you can't plug into the wrong place!

[220/221]

If it had been able to plug in would the fuse have prevented a fire or would the cord have started to smoke/burn?

A proper fuse would prevent an overload.

In normal operating condirions, the #10 cord wouldn't even come close to overheating.


That said, a fire can still happen, even with all the proper things in place. The right kind of short circuit, especially on a 50 amp breaker, can do some real damage before it trips.