Electric Cooker installation

[Dangerous Dave 1981]

I’ve recently purchased a New World NWLS50SEB electric cooker which needs hard wiring.

I intend on doing this myself unless I’m told that there is the potential for it being a bigger job due to the amount of power it draws and issues with fuses.

attached is the information from the booklet, can anyone tell me whether it’s a simple job or am I going to need to get someone in?

I do have intelligence, I can do this myself, I just don’t know how to tell whether this cooker is going to be too powerful and trip out when I switch it on for the first time.

Thank you.

 

[RandomGrinch]

Hi,

This cooker, if using every hotplate on the hob and the oven/grill was working flat-out, could draw a current of over 30A.

Do you have a dedicated oven circuit already?

 

[Dangerous Dave 1981]

Yes I have a dedicated circuit already.

 

[RandomGrinch]

Good start!

What rating does the MCB have?

Assuming your outlet is in the correct place, do you have something like this?

https://www.screwfix.com/p/mk-logic...-13a-dp-switched-socket-white-with-neon/25231

And:

https://www.screwfix.com/p/mk-logic-plus-45a-unswitched-cooker-outlet-plate-white/16686

Post a pic if you can?

 

[Dangerous Dave 1981]

Number 1 slightly different to that one but yes and number 2 yes.

 

[RandomGrinch]

Perhaps at this point, I should state I am not an electrician; I don't know the regs like the back of my hand!

From a regulation point of view (and I may be very wrong!), I don't believe connecting an oven to an existing outlet is notifiable.

However, if there was a problem, insurers or a new house buyer may question why there wasn't a 'Minor electrical installation works' certificate issued.

Installing it yourself would probably also go against any manufacturer's instructions (although many instructions often feature errors!). This could be a get-out for any insurance, or warranty claims.

Edit:


Relating to the circuit, it would be useful to know the MCB rating and if possible, the cable size between the 'consumer unit' and the cooker outlet.

Edit:
The instructions state it should be connected to a 45A circuit:



If the voltage in your home is 240V, at maximum power, the oven could draw a current of nearly 34A. At a more average 230V, the draw would be nearer to 32A.

Depending on how you cook, it might be very unlikely that your cooker will take anything like the maximum power.

However, if you are likely to use all the hotplates, oven and grill at the same time, that current may get uncomfortably close to the limit of the cable/MCB if you only have a 32A MCB.
If you have a decent cable size, it may be possible to uprate the MCB to say, 45A. But that would definitely require an electrician!

...and if you do have a cooker switch with a socket, that will be another current load to take into account for the poor cable!

So, the decision depends on what level of risk you wish to take! It may be doable, but maybe not a risk worth taking!

For some further, interesting opinions, you may wish to post a thread on the 'Electrics UK' section.

I hope that makes sense!

 

[Dangerous Dave 1981]

I hope these will be of assistance.

I take note of the warning in your post, I had seen that before I posted yesterday.

As long as I’m not about to blow anything up or electrocute myself, it’s an easy job providing I know the circuit can take the cooker.

I understand the importance of safety.

I’d rather learn though so I know for the future, and getting a sparkie out to do it will cost up to half the cost of the cooker itself. Silly when legally, I’ve checked, I can do it myself.

I appreciate your assistance RandomGrinch.

 

[jj4091]

Check the cable going into the cooker switch & if the earth wire ( green/yellow ) is multi stranded like the ccu ( cooker connection unit) in your second pic then it will be 10 mm sq. As long as it has been installed correctly initially ( which looking at pics. suggests it will have been ) then you will be ok to connect the cooker to the ccu yourself.

 

[Dangerous Dave 1981]

Apologies for not the best picture in the world but it was the best I could take.

This is behind the cooker switch.

 

[RandomGrinch]

Going back to,

Depending on how you cook, it might be very unlikely that your cooker will take anything like the maximum power

Diversity calculations can be used to specify cable size.
Some information here:
https://www.tlc-direct.co.uk/Book/6.5.2.htm

In your case a diversity calculation would come out at around 22A, so a 32A rated MCB would be allowable with some provisoes.
I.e. some extra current allowance may be needed for long cable runs, cable buried in plaster or unless the manufacturers instructions said otherwise!

 

[Dangerous Dave 1981]

So in conclusion which cable should I be using when wiring the cooker in? 6mm or 10mm?

 

[RandomGrinch]

So in conclusion which cable should I be using when wiring the cooker in? 6mm or 10mm?

Ideally, your existing circuit is in 10mm

if going by manufacturer's instructions 10mm should be used for the connection, (2m) length maximum. Twin and earth is acceptable.

However, if the rest of your circuit isn't 45A rated, I believe (and again I may be wrong! These values should be calculated by a qualified electrician) diversity would allow for 32A circuit and 6mm cable (with provisoes)

The bare copper earths should be covered with green/yellow sleeving.

The manufactures wiring illustration is also wrong! The grey outer cover of the T&E should be terminated within the connector box, or the wires double insulation will be lost. I.e. the coloured cores should not be seen outside of the box, just as with a plug.

 

[RandomGrinch]

So in conclusion which cable should I be using when wiring the cooker in? 6mm or 10mm?

Just reading back, I wanted to say I'm sorry if I haven't given you a straight answer!

As with many on here, I feel I can't tell you to do something that's possibly dangerous or unsafe, without knowing the full circumstances of your installation.

All I can do is point out some relevant information and let you make a more informed decision.
(Even if it is for something as simple as connecting up an oven )

I hope that makes sense!

 

[jj4091]

https://www.cef.co.uk/catalogue/pro...ber-flexible-cable-cut-length-sold-by-the-mtr

 

[flameport]

4mm² rubber flex is the usual choice.
10mm² is grossly oversized.