Range hood

[Ian Gills]

I recently fitted a range hood above my electric range. There wasn't one and I believe that code says there should be. It is not vented but has carbon filters, which I believe to be acceptable.

Here is my question (unless you wish to make a point about the range hood not being vented). Just above and behind my range there is a receptacle. The range hood is being powered from that receptacle by a power cord and plug (supplied with it). The wire runs six inches up the wall to the range hood. Are there any issues with this? I know the best solutioin is to power a range hood from a receptacle installed in a cupboard above the range but I do not have this.

My potential concern is that a cable is essentially rising flush with the wall from behind the top of the range, then up the wall to the range hood.

[ccbrands1]

no idea what koads might say.

cord could possibly be subject to mechanical and/or heat damage.

i'de consult with an electrician to see if moving the outlet is possible.

[David P. Valley]

I don't know of any codes that state that a ventilation hood is required over every stove. As far as venting this hood to the exterior, 90% of the hoods in homes today do not vent to the exterior. They are self-ventilated. It's a simple fan that sucks the air from below, runs through a filter, then discharges this air from the vent above.

If the supplied wiring to this ventilator is exposed and runs up the wall behind the stove, I see this as a safety issue. I would recommend an Electrician correct this issue.

[Emmanuel J. Scanlan]

2006 IRC for appliance connections:

E4001.3 Flexible cords. Cord-and-plug-connected appliances
shall use cords suitable for the environment and physical conditions
likely to be encountered. Flexible cords shall be used
only where the appliance is listed to be connected with a flexible
cord. The cord shall be identified as suitable for the purpose
in the installation instructions of the appliance manufacturer.
Receptacles for cord-and-plug-connected appliances shall be
accessible and shall be located to avoid physical damage to the
flexible cord. Except for a listed appliance marked to indicate
that it is protected by a system of double-insulation, the flexible
cord supplying an appliance shall terminate in a grounding-
type attachment plug. A receptacle for a cord-and-plugconnected
range hood shall be supplied by an individual
branch circuit. Specific appliances have additional requirements
as specified in Table E4001.3 (see Section E3809).

2005 NEC proposals:

422.16 Flexible Cords.

(5) Range Hoods.

Range hoods shall be permitted to be
cord-and-plug connected with a flexible cord identified as
suitable for the use on range hoods in the installation instructions
of the appliance manufacturer, where all of the
following conditions are met.
(1) The flexible cord shall be terminated with a grounding
type attachment plug.

Exception: A listed range hood distinctly marked to identify
it as protected by a system of double insulation, or its
equivalent, shall not be required to be terminated with a
grounding-type attachment plug.

(2) The length of the cord shall not be less than 450 mm
(18 in.) and not over 900 mm (36 in.).
(3) Receptacles shall be located to avoid physical damage
to the flexible cord.
(4) The receptacle shall be accessible.
(5) The receptacle shall be supplied by an individual
branch circuit. [ROP 17–21]

Check your manufacturers installation instructions. In the absence of specific directions for this situation then I would consult with a licensed electrician. There is the potential for damage if close enough to the heat source.