Quote:
Originally Posted by Paul F
Four pins may be required. If the stove has a 120 volt outlet or some other 120v function, then you need the 4 pins for proper operation.
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As I stated above, virtually all ranges and dryers have a 120V function, so this is not really true as it has been the way things have been done for say 100 years (3 wire plugs). Once again, an ideal 220V circuit has no current return on the neutral so a ground is equivalent. On 220V appliances the size of the neutral is more than adequate to carry the difference.
This is not to say that neutral and ground are not different. If you have ever used a GFCI BREAKER (in the main panel) you will note that the neutral for that breaker is connected to the neutral of the branch and the ground(green/bare) is connected to the ground/neutral bus. This also is true in a GFCI "plug" which is why there is a upstream/downstream white (neutral) separation.