Replacing Electric Oven - Existing Cable is 6mm, Oven Specifies 4mm

[ritchieee]

Hi folks, our existing old-skool Creda electric cooker is on its last legs, and just so happens that my brother was getting rid of his nearly new Belling cooker as he's having a new kitchen.

The existing cable connecting to the Creda is 6mm (says so on the outer sheath). The new Belling oven says 4mm cable on the connector block at the back of the oven.

Might be worth mentioning that the new Belling oven has a lower kW.

Is it ok to use a bigger cable than specified? Load wise, I'd assume an over-specified cable isn't a problem, but my concern is whether the connections will tighten up correctly.

Length of cable from cooker switch to oven is about a metre. From board to cooker switch is approx. 15m.

Thanks

ps, sorry, wasn't sure if this should be in the Electrics or Appliances forum.

 

[chivers67]

No problem using a higher rated cable as long as it can be terminated correctly. You should be able to find a cooker outlet plate to do this. If necessary an electrician can advise on site and maybe put a lower MCB in your consumer unit if your 6mm can't be terminated into the "new" cooker.

 

[ritchieee]

Thanks for your reply. So to confirm you're saying that the connector box on the oven could be replaced with a 6mm one? Or do you mean the cooker switch?

Honestly I'd like to avoid replacing the MCB if possible. That isn't work I can do so a brand new oven that's suitable would probably work out the same cost.

 

[JohnW2]

Honestly I'd like to avoid replacing the MCB if possible.

That probably won't be necessary. What is the rating of the present one?

Kind Regards, John

 

[chivers67]

Thanks for your reply. So to confirm you're saying that the connector box on the oven could be replaced with a 6mm one? Or do you mean the cooker switch?

Honestly I'd like to avoid replacing the MCB if possible. That isn't work I can do so a brand new oven that's suitable would probably work out the same cost.

Something like this behind it - if there isn't something like this already?. There should be no need to replace any switch as it should be higher current rating, be worth answering John's question

 

[ritchieee]

Thanks for the replies folks.

That probably won't be necessary. What is the rating of the present one?

Kind Regards, John

It's a 32A RCBO.

Something like this behind it - if there isn't something like this already?. There should be no need to replace any switch as it should be higher current rating, be worth answering John's question

All I can see is the cooker switch, and- I'm guessing here as I can't see with the kitchen units in the way - the 6mm must be buried below the surface and comes out at the bottom, then there's a bunch of cable directly wired to the oven. I can't see a plate as pictured. Unless that's behind a unit.

I have just dropped my electrician a text (could've done that earlier I suppose, didn't want to be cheeky ha), who said it'll be fine, as long as it fits in the terminals. Interested in other opinions though. Thanks!

 

[JohnW2]

It's a 32A RCBO.

That's fine, then.

Kind Regards, John

 

[PrenticeBoyofDerry]

The new Belling oven says 4mm cable on the connector block at the back of the oven.

Cable or heat resistant flex? I ask because it is normal for the manufacturer to request heat resistant flex.

 

[EFLImpudence]

Just being awkward:

I suppose no one has any qualms about disregarding the manufacturer's instructions in this case.

Is that because they are wrong or because we know better?

 

[JohnW2]

Just being awkward: I suppose no one has any qualms about disregarding the manufacturer's instructions in this case.

Certainly not me - I would "take the instructions into account", as required by BS7671, and then do something sensible.

Is that because they are wrong or because we know better?

I don't know about 'wrong', but I think that 'we' do know what is necessary, and what is sensible.

KInd Regards, John

 

[ban-all-sheds]

I also think that were "we" fitting it, "we" would be able to tell if the 6mm² was going to fit the terminals OK.

As in

my electrician .. said it'll be fine, as long as it fits in the terminals.

There's also the cable type to consider, as in

Cable or heat resistant flex? I ask because it is normal for the manufacturer to request heat resistant flex.

Not so much the heat resistance part, but again a terminal issue - if ritcheee's 6mm² cable is T&E, but the terminals are expecting fine-wire, again that might be an issue.


Ritcheee - if you don't have any installation instructions, can you see if you can find them on Belling's website?

Posting a close-up photo of the connector block would be helpful.