I am replacing an electric range with a gas range. The electric range is wired with 3 wire 8 gauge on a 40amp breaker.
For the gas range I need a 15amp circuit. Can I just wire nut off red wire and change the breaker to a 15amp? The question is the I am not sure if the #8 wire is too heavy for the light 15amp load?
As @RMDman pointed out, #8AWG will easily carry a 15 amp load. Looking at a Square D and a Cutler Hammer CH breaker, both are good for AL/CU #8 to #14 wire. You can always get some #14 wire and splice it to the #8 and connect the #14 to the 15 amp breaker.
They sell these UL-listed adapters with integrated fuses which would technically work with the 40A breaker in place as the integrated fuse would provide the OCP you would need. I would still change out the breaker out of precaution though, just pigtail the #8
It will work but you’re suppose have a ground and neutral.
If it were my house I would repurpose the red wire as the neutral in the panel and in the receptacle.
