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	Subject - Parallel Circuits MJS542 I am renovating my kitchen. I have separate 30A circuits for a built in oven and a cook top. I am replacing both of these with a freestanding range that calls for a 50A circuit. Can I switch out the 30A breakers for 25A breakers and then connect the wiring together at the outlet? If so, do I need to make sure that each respective wire is connected to the same phase (ie, both Red wire to one side of box and both Black wires to the other) JimmyDee No you can NOT do that. You will have to run a new feed (3 conductor #8 or #6 with ground) for the range and purchase a new 50 amp, 2 pole breaker. The code is very clear on this and can only be paralleling wires can only be done on the larger sizes of 1/0 and larger. Electricman Dont Do It.]Do as Jimmy says , 6-3 nmb would be more than enough to satisfy the requierment for the range.Even if you would do it the way you where suggesting DONT. you still would only be fused for 25 amps. MJS542 JimmyDee, you mention running #8 feed. I have #8 feed now in my 30 amp circuit. But, what I have read is that #8 wire is rated to about 45 amps. I 50 amps within the tolerence of #8 wire? David Hyatt If this is copper wire use a forty amp breaker and it will be fine. JimmyDee Yes, you can protect a #8 wire with a 50 amp breaker providing it is type THW, THWN or THHW (75 degree column on the chart, artical 310:15). The code allows one to protect the wire with a breaker the next size up if it a breaker of the exact size isn't avalable. No one makes a 45 amp breaker that I know of. If you want to follow the letter of the law and feel that the range will require a full 50 amp circuit, (which I don't think it will) you will need to go to a #6 wire. Most electricians I know will run #8 and some put it on a 40 amp breaker. Never known anyone to have a problem. I would be intrested to know the exact wattage or amp draw on the range. I don't think it is anywhere near 50 amp or 40 for that matter. Jim Electricman 83 copper may be fused at 50 amps using the 75 degree rating. All range recpt. have the 75 degree rating as well as panelboards do. As long as the run from the panel is under 100 ft. you shouldnt be conserned about volt drop which in turn would affect the amp rating.I also would be interested in the KVA of the range to do a proper amp calculation. The 50 amp plug on the range does not determine the fuse size in the panelboard. Table 220-19 in the Nec shows that the demand for a single freestanding range is permited to be figured at 8 kW for a range that is 12 kW or less.A 5% must be added for every increase for each kW. For example lets say you have a range at 14,050 watts .the calculation would be.... 14,050-12,000= 2050 watt 2kW (increase over 12kW) X 5% =10 % 8kW X .10 = .8kW the load would be 8kW + 0.8kW = 8.8kW since amps = kW divided by volts you would have 8,800 divided by 240 it would equal 36.7 amps