Author Topic: How to test vent hood electrical before hanging?  (Read 2361 times)

Lancebaby

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How to test vent hood electrical before hanging?
« on: December 12, 2016, 07:19:26 PM »
I picked up a nice used vent hood and want to test it before I remove the old one and hang the new one.  The new hood has slots for 3 bare wires to be connected - black/white/ground.  The existing hood will have those bare wires avail but how can I "plug it in" prior to getting the old one down and moving this up?  Can I just make a cable that has one end for wall plug and the other bare wires that I connect?

Thanks

Poundwise

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Re: How to test vent hood electrical before hanging?
« Reply #1 on: December 12, 2016, 07:41:12 PM »
Well, we did something like that very recently, but keep in mind that I am not an electrician at all.  I went to Lowe's and got an appliance  cord like this one: https://www.lowes.com/pd/Range-Hood-Power-Cord-3-1-2Ft-115V-Incl/50360502 and hooked it up to our new hood using the wire nuts.  This way we were able to test it before installation.

We were replacing an over the range microwave that plugged in, though, so it made sense for us to get the cord since it would be used permanently to power the new hood. To do it for free, I don't know, maybe you could scavenge an appliance cord from something else... whatever you do, you'd need an appliance cord with a voltage greater or equal to that used by your vent hood, I think.

Hopefully somebody on the forum with actual electrical know-how will weigh in with any other precautions necessary.
« Last Edit: December 12, 2016, 07:45:47 PM by Poundwise »

lthenderson

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Re: How to test vent hood electrical before hanging?
« Reply #2 on: December 13, 2016, 08:37:32 AM »
I have an old extension cord that I cut off the female end for just this sort of thing. I however keep it locked in a cabinet with some chemicals to prevent the kids from getting at it when I'm not using it.

BudgetSlasher

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Re: How to test vent hood electrical before hanging?
« Reply #3 on: December 14, 2016, 03:18:04 PM »
I just tested a hood with a small appliance cord (or an extension cord without the female end) a few months ago. Three wirenuts and you are good for testing.

Spork

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Re: How to test vent hood electrical before hanging?
« Reply #4 on: December 15, 2016, 11:20:38 AM »
I just tested a hood with a small appliance cord (or an extension cord without the female end) a few months ago. Three wirenuts and you are good for testing.

Just a side note:  every single time I've shopped for one of these, an appropriately-sized extension cord costs less than an appliance cord.  In other words, I do as lthenderson does and cut the female end off when I need an appliance cord.

BudgetSlasher

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Re: How to test vent hood electrical before hanging?
« Reply #5 on: December 15, 2016, 03:19:29 PM »
I just tested a hood with a small appliance cord (or an extension cord without the female end) a few months ago. Three wirenuts and you are good for testing.

Just a side note:  every single time I've shopped for one of these, an appropriately-sized extension cord costs less than an appliance cord.  In other words, I do as lthenderson does and cut the female end off when I need an appliance cord.

In the past I have had the same experience, but the last time I was at the big box store the small appliance cord was cheaper.

CmFtns

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Re: How to test vent hood electrical before hanging?
« Reply #6 on: January 10, 2017, 11:23:46 AM »
The cheapest way is to just use a couple feet of household wiring

flip breaker off
stick black and white wire in any wall plug
attach other end to range hood
flip breaker on and see if it works
flip breaker off and dissemble

feel free to tell me how dangerous this is or something like that but this way is essentially free

BudgetSlasher

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Re: How to test vent hood electrical before hanging?
« Reply #7 on: January 10, 2017, 06:26:10 PM »
The cheapest way is to just use a couple feet of household wiring

flip breaker off
stick black and white wire in any wall plug
attach other end to range hood
flip breaker on and see if it works
flip breaker off and dissemble

feel free to tell me how dangerous this is or something like that but this way is essentially free

For about 2 bucks you can get a three prong head to slap on the end of the wire. Then its safer, you don't risk back contact or arcing damaging the outlet, and you you can connect and disconnect without the trips to the breaker box.

 

Wow, a phone plan for fifteen bucks!