Flex to install a new electric cooker.

brock · Oct 1, 2014

Dear all (I don't have access to the DIY section)

I have bought myself a new cooker ( Beko BD533A )

This cooker is pretty easy to install if I can find the right flex to install it with.

Now, the instruction manual says that it must be installed by a qualified electrician however i connected my last 5 cookers without any problems.

The instruction manual states a wire type that should be used (or equivalent) - The type is: H05VV-FG 3 x 4mm²

I went to B&Q to buy this flex and the man said that it's a heat resistant flex and they do not stock it. I checked with a few local stores and they also don't have this flex?

Can anyone recommend an equivalent length of flex?

Failing this I will need to call an electrician and pay money for him or her to effectively wire a plug.

Thanks for help, Brock.

Paul.M · Oct 2, 2014

Phone your local electrical wholesalers and ask for 3 core 4mm heat flex, they will sell it by the meter.

telectrix · Oct 2, 2014

and don't forget crimps on the ends.

brock · Oct 2, 2014

How important are the crimps on the ends? I didn't bother. I got the cable and installed it. If crimps are important I'll install it again with the crimps. (I didn't bother on any other cooker ive used)

Thanks from Brock.

telectrix · Oct 3, 2014

crimps because fine strand flex is not meant to be screwed directly in a terminal. sometimes you can get away with it. other times you get a poor connection leading to overheating and/or arcing.

brock · Oct 3, 2014

telectrix said:
crimps because fine strand flex is not meant to be screwed directly in a terminal. sometimes you can get away with it. other times you get a poor connection leading to overheating and/or arcing.

Oh.. I"ll take it back out and put crimps on this weekend. Cheers.

Deleted member 72666 · Oct 3, 2014

brock said:
Dear all (I don't have access to the DIY section)

I have bought myself a new cooker ( Beko BD533A )

This cooker is pretty easy to install if I can find the right flex to install it with.

Now, the instruction manual says that it must be installed by a qualified electrician however i connected my last 5 cookers without any problems.

The instruction manual states a wire type that should be used (or equivalent) - The type is: H05VV-FG 3 x 4mm²

I went to B&Q to buy this flex and the man said that it's a heat resistant flex and they do not stock it. I checked with a few local stores and they also don't have this flex?

Can anyone recommend an equivalent length of flex?

Failing this I will need to call an electrician and pay money for him or her to effectively wire a plug.

Thanks for help, Brock.

Why so many cookers?

brock · Oct 3, 2014

I mostly have bought second hand cookers and cleaned them back to almost new. Infact this is only my second *new* cooker since 1999.

HandySparks · Oct 3, 2014

telectrix said:
crimps because fine strand flex is not meant to be screwed directly in a terminal. sometimes you can get away with it. other times you get a poor connection leading to overheating and/or arcing.

With fine stranded cable, it really depends on the type of terminal. A cage clamp, where the screw doesn't directly touch the cable, will be OK. A terminal where the screw bears directly on the strands would be better with a pin crimp or a bootlace ferrule.

A terminal where the wire gets clamped under the screw head will be better with a ring crimp although if there's a properly shaped clamp washer on top of the wire, I would say it's not required.