Correct wiring for new oven - advice

Posted by: Jonathan Gorse on 09 September 2008

Hi chaps,

In the process of having our kitchen done. We're replacing a freestanding electric cooker with a double oven and 4 ring ceramic hob.

The new units are a new Neff U1722 double oven rated power 4Kw and a Matsui ceramic hob with 4 rings rated at 6Kw and 26A.

The wiring behind the cooker is 6mm twin and earth according to the electrician. He thinks this is adequate for the load but has said that if we had everything going full pelt it would be at its limit.

If we want he will run a new length of 10mm twin and earth all the way from the consumer unit but doing so will result in floorboards having to come up etc which is a hassle.

I'd really welcome the views of any experts on the forum as to whether upgrading to 10mm twin and earth is necessary?

many thanks,

Jonathan

Hob rated at 6Kw 26A
Posted on: 09 September 2008 by Ewan Aye
Can't you ask Scotty?
Posted on: 09 September 2008 by Chris Kelly
Jonathon
We went through this a while ago. We live ina block of 11 flats, built in the early 2000s. We ended up buying an AEG electric oven and an AEG induction hob because they were the lowest current-drawing units which met out functional and aesthetic requirements. We had to rule out Neff and Miele because they were too current hungry. Our supplier/fitter was very concerned about overloading the existing circuit and rewiring really wasn't an option.
Posted on: 09 September 2008 by BigH47
quote:
If we want he will run a new length of 10mm twin and earth all the way from the consumer unit but doing so will result in floorboards having to come up etc which is a hassle.


Perhaps you can get a couple of "spurs" installed for the HiFi at the same time,if you don't have them already
Posted on: 09 September 2008 by felix
The current ratings for cable depends on how it is mounted. 6mm^2 cable is rated for 46A if clipped to a surface in free air, but only 32A if enclosed in conduit or an insulating wall/condition (yes, cables run warm near full load!). Your sparky sounds like the conscientious type and should have done any voltage-drop calcs to check provision though - hence the question.

Since your cooker setup could draw 10Kw or about 42A flat-out, the questions a good'un. I think if I were in any doubt about the condition or location of the existing wiring I'd go the long way round and have the new circuit fitted - it's easier/cheaper now than later.

HTH.
(I am only an architect, not a sparky!)