Cooker Connection

uksparks · May 30, 2014

Hi,

Ok, let me know what your thoughts are as to MCB size, cable size of cable from cooker to wall, nothing more, just let me know, then ill tell you what I have just found.

The cooker uses 10.4kW to 11.6kW, its free standing, 4 rings and double oven, new oven, well bought it off someone, but still has all labels on it etc, looks like its been used once. So lets just say on christmas day when you have stuff warning in the top oven, turkey in the bottom, and all 4 rings on boiling potatoes etc, the point is, it "could" draw 11.6kW.

1. What size MCB
2. What size cable for circuit
3. Size of cable from cooker to outlet.

Silly Sausage · May 30, 2014

1: 32A
2: 4 mill T&E Clipped Direct
3: 4 mill Rubber flex

D Skelton · May 30, 2014

Minimum required MCB = 25A (32A if there is a socket outlet on the ccu)
Minimum required cable size for circuit (installation methods and rating facotrs allowing) = 2.5mm (4mm if there is a socket outlet on the ccu)
Size of cable from cooker to outlet = 2.5mm HR flex

What I would fit:

MCB = 32A
Cable size (other factors allowing) = 6mm
Size of cable from cooker to outlet = 4mm butyl

uksparks · May 30, 2014

I accept diversity etc and all that, but on Christmas day, its going to pull more, it is, personally I dont think a 32A breaker would hold out. Ill be honest, the woman was bed bound, and there was a fryer next to the over and lots of food, so I would think that the oven will get abused on Christmas day.

Naturally I would have thought it needed a bigger cable, it can draw 50A, 4mm cable is only good for 37A.

The point to the story is, I have not connected it as personally I think it needs a bigger cable and supply, I know what would have happened if I did connect it, the MCB would trip. I know the MCB would protect the flex I put in, but just think, that 32A breaker is going to me maxed out and running hot in my opinion.

Cool me a fool if you like, but you wouldnt connect a 10.5kW shower on 4mm would you.

[ElectriciansForums.net] Cooker Connection

uksparks · May 30, 2014

Looks like I am out numbered in the way its connected, I don't know, I just felt something thats telling me it can draw 11.6kW connected to a 32A breaker and 4mm cable just seems like its asking for problems...

D Skelton · May 30, 2014

It won't pull anywhere near 50A on christmas day. It might if all the rings on the hob and both oven compartments and grill were all turned on to max power at exactly the same time, but staggered starting and the fact that it doesn't take much power to maintain heat means that to install anything larger than 6mm is just plain bonkers! Frankly, if you did, you'd be wasting money better spent on other things.

uksparks · May 30, 2014

Oh dear, well ill let her get someone else in that can do it as im back home now, I just couldn't bring myself to connect it, ill be honest, every cooker I have connected before only used <6kW so was a little, not confused, but made me think, and being mr safety I over engineered my thoughts.

I suppose you can't fault me as such for verging on the side of safety and avoiding problems, just when something tells you it used >10kW my brain switches to think, right 10mm cable.

Andy78 · May 30, 2014

The fact that the connection box has a sticker on asking for 4mm flex does nothing to ease your mind ?

Follow your calcs and you wont go wrong. A 32A supply is what is needed here by my reckoning too, so 4mm or 6mm supply cable depending on installation method.

Buzz-light-bulb · May 30, 2014

If you are not prepared to listen to the more experienced electricians then why post such thread, you have already made your mind up before hand.

D Skelton · May 30, 2014

Buzz-light-bulb said:
If you are not prepared to listen to the more experienced electricians then why post such thread, you have already made your mind up before hand.

It's ok Buzz, uksparks is one of the good guys. He's spitballing, we don't mind.

uksparks · May 30, 2014

Buzz-light-bulb said:
If you are not prepared to listen to the more experienced electricians then why post such thread, you have already made your mind up before hand.

I am listening thanks, just wanted a second opinion as it didn't seem right to me. I know it said 4mm but you should never just believe what a sticker says as it may be wrong, if that sticker had fallen off then I would only have had the power rating of the oven to go on.

anyway, next time I'll just connect it and be done with it. Thanks for clearing this up everyone.

telectrix · May 30, 2014

as damian stated. all the elements are on stats, so all drawing full power simultaneously is about as rare as you busking outside harrods with your drum.

Brightspark2 · May 30, 2014

Uksparks!!...not seen you in a long time...last time I seen you was...just trying to think...oh yes that's it you was busking outside Harrods with your drum!!...