I have a cooktop. wires coming out of it were cut at base of unit and i need to extend them. I already did and am now concerned my work is not safe the wires appear to be stranded 10 guage. I extended them with aluminum connectors that have set screws and then taped the hell ot of them. The wire I connected them to is ten guage. the unit now says it takes a 40 amp cir and to use 8 guage wire is this safe? shoudl I just use a 30 amp breaker instead?
First, never use aluminum connectors with copper wire, very dangerous. Buy brass connectors. You do not say if the number 10 wire you used is solid or braided and there is a huge difference in amp capacity. You should be using a number 8 braided wire for a 40 amp load with brass lock-down connectors. Change this before you have a fire. The bottom line rule of wiring is to always oversize when you are not sure but there are many on-line sites that will provide wire-size charts for many applications
You do not determine whether or not the connector is appropriate by determining what it is made from etc. The manufacturer of the connector provides information on whether the connector is for copper only (Cu), copper and aluminum (Cu/Al) or just aluminum wire (Al). The manufacturer also determines the number of solid and/or stranded wires and the maximum and minimum wire size that can be safely connected with the connector. The rating of the connector is reviewed by an independent agency such as Underwriters Laboratories (UL) or the Canadian Standards Association (CSA). The current rating of wire is not determined only by the wire size and whether the wire is stranded or solid. The temperature rating of the insulation, the maximum temperature of the air and the terminals to which the wire is fastened, the number of wires that are bundled together and other factors determine the current rating. Electrical codes list the current ratings for the types of wiring normally used to wire buildings. Manufacturers are responsible for wire inside their products subject to review by UL, CSA etc. I believe that it would be unusual for a cooktop to be furnished with lengths of wire for connection to the power supply for installation. Look to see if there is a cover that can be removed for access to screw terminals where the installation wiring should be attached. If terminals are furnished, remove the wires that have been cut off and replace them with wires of appropriate size, length and type. If you must splice the wires, the applicable electrical code probably requires the splice to be enclosed in an appropriate electrical box. If you are going to do this work yourself, at a minimum, you should go to the library and review the appropriate electrical codes. It would be better to hire a qualified electrician.
Pat From Ohio is correct! Covering connected wires without access is not only just a fire hazzard, but foolish. Even if you 'think' you will never have to access it again, there are conditions when you have to. Not to mention, if you were ever to sell the house, the new owner wouldn't have a clue it is there. No matter how 'tight' the wire nuts are, a short is always possible. Down the road someone else could replace the existing breaker with the wrong one and POOF! The 'hidden' connection burns up. Though it may not even cause any potential fire hazzard, trying to trace your short could be impossible if you don't know exactly where it is. They make many types of 'faux' (fake swiches, etc.) covers that you could use over the junction box. Do not put it behind the drywall or any other wallboard. Use your imagination as to how to make it a part of the scheme! Please use a junction box! If not for your own safety, how about the folks next door? Or the pets left alone that day! Good Luck!
Don is correct. However, you did not say what the wires you are extending are. Are they copper or aluminum? If they are copper, don is correct, do not use an aluminum fastener. If they are aluminum, you need a special connector to connect the aluminum wires to a copper wire. Talk to someone at an electrical supply house for the proper connector.
