Cooker wiring 13a or dp/so switch?

Andrew Blakely · May 4, 2019

Hi, total novice here but I really need help with this. Any input would be much appreciated. We recently moved house and the cooker in said house is ancient and costing us a fortune, so has to be changed so the existing cooker is wired to a double or single poled switch? I think? See picture.. The cooker we have in mind is under 1kw and instructions state to be wired to a 13a spur. Is the switch that's there OK and I can connect it using this existing (very thick) cable? Or do we need to put in a new spur? From what I've read the switch that is there is for heavier usage cookers but is it OK and safe to wire a new cooker too? Thanks in advance guys

[ElectriciansForums.net] Cooker wiring 13a or dp/so switch?

telectrix · May 4, 2019

behind the cooker you should find a cooker outlet point. this can be changed for a 13A FCU (spur) with no alterations to existing wiring. just be a bit awkward to get the 6mm cables in the FCU terminals but feasible.

Andrew Blakely · May 4, 2019

Don't see it, if it's there it's not reachable (behind unit) so the existing set up (rcd or dp/sp switch) won't do? Is there another way to sort this? I'll see if I can get to it by taking out the backing of the unit but might not be possible, suppose I could always cut in between the cooker and the outlet point and put a spur in between or is that a bad idea? Are you saying there are two switches? The one in the picture and another one following that? Sorry for all the questions haha

Mark42 · May 4, 2019

If your new small cooker has a pre-fitted flex then this will almost certainly be of a cross section unsuitable for the (probably) 32A circuit supplying the switch pictured. Telectrix's solution above is ideal, as it introduces a 13A fuse, but as he says getting the ?6mm existing cables connected neatly might be a struggle, especially if the existing box is not very deep.
A work-around might be to keep the existing cooker connection unit, but - and this is important - change the breaker supplying the circuit to a 16A device.

Charlie_ · May 4, 2019

Do you also have a hob?

Charlie_ · May 4, 2019

You can’t overload the cooker cable if it is a 1kw fixed load

Andrew Blakely · May 4, 2019

OK so I can't get to the outlet can't even see it, what's the best course of action. Thanks for your patience lads, hang on, yes we do have a hob and they are I think both connected into some sort of outlet (see picture below) does this make things clearer? What do I do here? Thanks again lads

telectrix · May 5, 2019

the hob may need a 32A supply. so my best advice, having seen that pic. is to get an electrician in. won't cost a lot.

Fitzy · May 5, 2019

Andy, if your current oven & hob is wired via this junction box, then get an electrician in to sort it out. Shouldn’t take no more than hour plus parts to sort out, for your peace of mind, it’s a small price to pay.