Job to connect electric cooker - advice please

[raustin]

hi, just been to look at a job for connecting an electric cooker. Its a council flat that has been referb. Has a CU with MCB's and RCD.

The kitchen has been refitted (small kitchen with units just along the outside wall). The cooker will be at 90 degrees to the units.

The cooker outlet is in smack bang in the middle of the units behind the draws. The fitters have cut a hole in the back of the units to gain access. So the cable run will be about 3 meters.

The cooker is an old free standing cooker. On the back of it there is a label that says it needs to be connected to a 30A cooker connection unit.

I take it that is referring to the old style fuses? So is the 32A MCB that is currently fitted OK?

The other question I have, is there any issues with connecting this old cooker?

Cheers Rich

 

[Johnny-G]

This is a cooker connection unit 45A Cooker Connection Unit - Switches & Sockets - Electrical -Tools, Electrical & Plumbing - Wickes
It's not referring to the OPD at all

 

[raustin]

This is a cooker connection unit 45A Cooker Connection Unit - Switches & Sockets - Electrical -Tools, Electrical & Plumbing - Wickes
It's not referring to the OPD at all

Doh, thats my blonde moment for today. Yeah thats the connection unit that is behind the draws. So the 32A mcb will be ok as that will protect the 6mm T&E. As far as the cooker being old, as long as once connected and checked that its earthed OK and doesn't cause the mcb or rcd to trip, then thats OK?

 

[malcolmsanford]

If your going to work to the OSG then that 3 metre distance is beyond the recommended 2 metres on pg 160 part 8.4.

The 30amp is refering to older protection devices most likely a fuse and obviously the new 32 amp MCB will be ok as long as it protecting the cable, it will not be designed to protect the appliance.

I would have hoped if it was an old cooker, and supplied by the council that it had been PAT tested to make sure it was safe. Is this the tentnats or the councils appliance.

You could do a quick test, IR on the elements to make sute they don't go bang, and the a continiuty test on them to see if they will work. The simmer stats for the plates and the thermostats for the ovens would need you to use a clamp meter and of course time to test.

 

[raustin]

If your going to work to the OSG then that 3 metre distance is beyond the recommended 2 metres on pg 160 part 8.4.

The 30amp is refering to older protection devices most likely a fuse and obviously the new 32 amp MCB will be ok as long as it protecting the cable, it will not be designed to protect the appliance.

I would have hoped if it was an old cooker, and supplied by the council that it had been PAT tested to make sure it was safe. Is this the tentnats or the councils appliance.

You could do a quick test, IR on the elements to make sute they don't go bang, and the a continiuty test on them to see if they will work. The simmer stats for the plates and the thermostats for the ovens would need you to use a clamp meter and of course time to test.

ummm. OK its the tenants cooker that they have aquired from somewhere. 3m, forgot about that one, anyway around it other than moving the connection unit?

 

[telectrix]

the 2metres refers to the distance between the cooker and it's isolation point, not the conn. unit. it's a recommendation, and as such, if it's a ballache to move, leave it.

 

[raustin]

the 2metres refers to the distance between the cooker and it's isolation point, not the conn. unit. it's a recommendation, and as such, if it's a ballache to move, leave it.

Thats good, because the cooker is closer to the isolation than the connection unit. Connection is under the worktop to the left of the cooker swicth & the cooker will be to thr right. My other concern is then the cooker stated 30A on the label the CMB is 32A.

 

[malcolmsanford]

I read it as the CCU and you would be quite right Tel, if it's the connection point, and the isolation is 2 metres then to the guide it is within distance.

The chances are that the council are working to the BS 7671-2008 and so not adhering religiously to the guide .............this is the part I hate Tel was right

 

[telectrix]

I read it as the CCU and you would be quite right Tel, if it's the connection point, and the isolation is 2 metres then to the guide it is within distance.

The chances are that the council are working to the BS 7671-2008 and so not adhering religiously to the guide .............this is the part I hate Tel was right

all of us are right sometimes and some of us are right all of the time, but we're not all right all of the time.

there is a nother alternative. get the buggers to buy a gas cooker.

 

[telectrix]

Thats good, because the cooker is closer to the isolation than the connection unit. Connection is under the worktop to the left of the cooker swicth & the cooker will be to thr right. My other concern is then the cooker stated 30A on the label the CMB is 32A.

i hope the cable from the isolator to the conn. unit is run in a prescribed zone.

 

[raustin]

all of us are right sometimes and some of us are right all of the time, but we're not all right all of the time.

there is a nother alternative. get the buggers to buy a gas cooker.

how true tel. Should I advised them to buy a new (er) cooker as it states connect to 30A and they have a 32A mcb fitted?

 

[malcolmsanford]

The 32 amp breaker is no problem, I know the regs advise fitting as per manufacters instructions, but if the cooker is that old it will make no difference. Just give the old girl a quick IR to make sure it will not blow up.

 

[telectrix]

it's asking you to connect to a 30A supply . that is a minimum requirement. you could connect to a 45Aor 50A if you wanted. just as long as the MCB is suitably rated for the cable.

 

[raustin]

OK thanks guys, thats eased my mind.

Rich

 

[raustin]

Quick question regarding the IR test. What results should I expect to get on a cooker? (sorry haven't carried out the test on a cooker before)
Just read online that above 3KW the IR limit drops to 0.3M ohms.
Any advice?