Cooker and Hob Connections

[oldtimer]

Just got a call today customer reports that the 2kw oven is connected via an FCU and he has a replacement coming with a 13A plu on it so he said can you cut it off and connect it up for me. Why dont I just change the FCU for a single 13A socket and you can replace as many ovens as you want

 

[micknew]

You can.

 

[chrislee765]

Jay Sparks, I've not come across one of them before but seems like a neat solution. Will bear that in mind for the future, thanks.

 

[Guitarist]

Your protective device is there to protect the cable. Do you really want to split down to 4mm on a 40A MCB?

 

[robbo777]

Your protective device is there to protect the cable. Do you really want to split down to 4mm on a 40A MCB?

Ahh, thats a good point,

So to clarify then
6mm from the CU on a 32A Breaker to the cooker switch, the run is approx 2m from the CU and chased into brick
6mm to the duel cooker outlet the 2 x 4mm out, one to each of the appliances.

Or just run 6mm to each of the appliances then I won't have to buy a new roll of 4mm just for the sake of 3m worth of cable that i'm not likely to use in a hurry.

OR
10mm cable on a 40A breaker to the switch and splitter then 6mm to each of the appliances?

 

[chrislee765]

I personally would go for the 40A breaker, 10mm cable to the switch then to the splitter, then 6mm from the splitter to the appliances option.

To make life a bit easier if you can, put a deep back box on the cooker switch, I'm sure you would have done that anyway though

 

[Guitarist]

If your appliances won't pull more than 32A between them (which I doubt they will) then go with 6mm all the way. Simple and elegant solution.

 

[Engineer54]

Have to disagree with Oldtimer on this one, cutting a moulded plug off an appliance is NOT an automatic warranty void action. Especially if this done by a qualified electrician for connection purposes to an alternative means of connection that conforms to BS7671... Legally they wouldn't have a leg to stand on.

I would gladly stand up in a court of law and argue the case with any manufacturer that cutting there moulded plug from the appliance cord has affected the performance of that appliance one jot!! I've said it before and i'll say it again, none of these manufacturers will go down the legal route unless the said appliance has been connected to a mains supply in a dangerous manner by an unskilled person. It's more of a manufacturers scare tactic than anything else!!!

Remember that these manufacturers also supply exactly the same appliances to other countries, and none of them will have a fused plug top, and many with an unpolarised plug-top such as the German Schuko plug top!!!

I'm sure there was a member here, that has a solicitor wife, that also stated roughly the same as i have stated above....

 

[oldtimer]

Engineer 54 Yes I agree with what you are saying (well most of it ) but I do a lot of this and I am finding 3 situations
One is the plug is cut off and the cable is connected in along with the hob so we now have a 32A or 40A protection for a 2kw oven
Second is the hob is connected to the CCU and the oven to a FCU on the kitchen ring so you need an electrician to connect.
Third there is a gas hob with the either it or the oven or both are connected to the CCU now we have a 3A or & 13A appliance is connected to a 32A or 40A MCB.

One other point as I said if you get Dixons,Currys,Comet out well thats just job for me because when they see this they dont know what to do and the ones that have a stab dont. But as I said it is the appliance guys who cause all the stick ie a customer of mines has one of these domestic appliance cover policy and when her cooker went they said do you have a supply to the unit she replied no the neon is not on well our responsability is for the cooker you will have to get the supply sorted and because it was a 3036 fuse she called me out.

So to clarify ok cut the plug off but dont let the appliance break down under warranty because these guys will not go near a FCU or CCU

 

[Engineer54]

I did base my argument on a qualified electrician being responsible for connecting appliances to the supply...lol!!

Where it's a case of the 3A/13A or whatever fuse blowing, you can't hold the manufacturers responsible for that, ...unless of course it's a fault on the warranted appliance, in which case it's up to them or there agents (Curry's Dixon's, Comet etc) to send appropriately qualified service personnel to repair the appliance!!

Again, if a 3036 fuse or a MCB/RCBO has blown/tripped then you can't expect the warranty company to be responsible, unless of course, this was again due to a fault on the warranted appliance. The customer is not responsible, and nor should they be, for the low quality of the service personnel, these policy companies seem to employ...

I know what your saying though oldtimer, but i was just making the point that removal of moulded plug tops does not in itself void any manufacturers warranty....

 

[Welchyboy]

To clarify I have had similar issues with cutting off moulded plugs, I had to extend the flex on a washing machine to reach a socket, so it was nt to an FCU it was on a new plug top, and they had issues with the wash machine tripping out an rcd on cycle(only 3 months later) the bloke from currys kicked up a right stink and was going on about the warranty and not sort it, but after a few angry calls to management they did replace the unit, but from now on I never cut the plugs off, they do use it as a get out clause!

 

[oldtimer]

To clarify I have had similar issues with cutting off moulded plugs, I had to extend the flex on a washing machine to reach a socket, so it was nt to an FCU it was on a new plug top, and they had issues with the wash machine tripping out an rcd on cycle(only 3 months later) the bloke from currys kicked up a right stink and was going on about the warranty and not sort it, but after a few angry calls to management they did replace the unit, but from now on I never cut the plugs off, they do use it as a get out clause!

As I said "So to clarify ok cut the plug off but dont let the appliance break down under warranty because these guys will not go near a FCU or CCU " and Currys ,Comet ,Dixons will just not move on this unless as you say go head to head .


Another point is you would not connect a 3 kw immersion heater wired in 2.5mm to a 32A fuse because your schemie would jump all over you so why would you cut the plug of a 13A rated electric oven and connect it straight into a 32Aor40A CCU

 

[Engineer54]

To clarify I have had similar issues with cutting off moulded plugs, I had to extend the flex on a washing machine to reach a socket, so it want to an FCU it was on a new plug top, and they had issues with the wash machine tripping out an rcd on cycle(only 3 months later) the bloke from currys kicked up a right stink and was going on about the warranty and not sort it, but after a few angry calls to management they did replace the unit, but from now on I never cut the plugs off, they do use it as a get out clause!

Correction ...they TRY to use it as a get out clause, but they also Know, it doesn't hold any water!!
I certainly wouldn't have any hesitation in cutting a moulded plug off any appliance lead if a plug-top didn't suite my installation needs....