The Modern Kitchen & Habits

[clicon357]

I got to thinking about diversity in the MODERN kitchen based on my own (nobody say dysfunctional) family, that and whether having a separate ring in a modern kitchen is really enough. The thinking of a separate ring seems almost engrained now. All you hear is “It’s a good idea to have the kitchen on a separate ring!” Traditionally I'm guessing everyone would have eaten the same meal – only one “cooker” incorporating hob on it’s own breaker and if there was a kitchen ring it wouldn’t have seen much use. But not nowadays - typical evening for me: Wife cooking a chilli in the single oven, combi microwave being used for sons friends pizzas, kettle goes on at some time for tea. Toaster possibly too as one friend wants beans on toast not pizza! All these on the same “kitchen” ring as well as the fridge and freezer. (Hob is on its own radial and dishwasher and washing machine are on the downstairs ring). Adding it all up:

Single Oven - 3kW
George Foreman - 1.96kW
Kettle - 3kW
Freezer - 0.14kW
Fridge Freezer - 0.28kW
Toaster - 1.5kW
Combi Microwave - 2.6kW (microwave 1.45kW, grill 1.2kW, convector 1.2kW)

Without adding the Combi Microwave in then that's what nigh on 10kW? If we start looking at barbecue’s, fireworks nights, catering for parties etc where you’re pre-cooking stuff then a 32A ring just doesn’t seem enough! I’ll admit it hasn’t happened yet but that’s more to do with her aversion to cooking! (She can only “cook” chilli). Theoretically ALL these things could be on at once. Just wondering should things now veer towards 2 separate rings for a kitchen, planned so as to share the load? Maybe wife No.2 will manage to trip it!

Am I over thinking this?

 

[Rockingit]

Maybe wife No.2 will manage to trip it!

Am I over thinking this?

Stuff the diversity argument, you better make sure wife No.1 doesn't read your posts!!!!!

 

[Knobhead]

OK that could total 45A but for how long?

Thermostats will start cutting stuff out long before the 32A MCB has reached it’s trip threshold.

Don’t start ripping the kitchen to bits yet (wait till after Christmas at least, unless you've got a death wish)

 

[Engineer54]

I got to thinking about diversity in the MODERN kitchen based on my own (nobody say dysfunctional) family, that and whether having a separate ring in a modern kitchen is really enough. The thinking of a separate ring seems almost engrained now. All you hear is “It’s a good idea to have the kitchen on a separate ring!” Traditionally I'm guessing everyone would have eaten the same meal – only one “cooker” incorporating hob on it’s own breaker and if there was a kitchen ring it wouldn’t have seen much use. But not nowadays - typical evening for me: Wife cooking a chilli in the single oven, combi microwave being used for sons friends pizzas, kettle goes on at some time for tea. Toaster possibly too as one friend wants beans on toast not pizza! All these on the same “kitchen” ring as well as the fridge and freezer. (Hob is on its own radial and dishwasher and washing machine are on the downstairs ring). Adding it all up:

Single Oven - 3kW
George Foreman - 1.96kW
Kettle - 3kW
Freezer - 0.14kW
Fridge Freezer - 0.28kW
Toaster - 1.5kW
Combi Microwave - 2.6kW (microwave 1.45kW, grill 1.2kW, convector 1.2kW)

Without adding the Combi Microwave in then that's what nigh on 10kW? If we start looking at barbecue’s, fireworks nights, catering for parties etc where you’re pre-cooking stuff then a 32A ring just doesn’t seem enough! I’ll admit it hasn’t happened yet but that’s more to do with her aversion to cooking! (She can only “cook” chilli). Theoretically ALL these things could be on at once. Just wondering should things now veer towards 2 separate rings for a kitchen, planned so as to share the load? Maybe wife No.2 will manage to trip it!

Am I over thinking this?

Instead of trying to work out your loading on your kitchen ring (or anything else come to that) take your amp clamp and measure them. start off with your tails, because that will probably tell you how far your out straight away, and you probably won't look any further...lol!!

I can tell you now that you can knock at least 1KW off your ovens load because you cant use the grill and oven at the same time. Pretty sure you can do that with at least one of your micros elements too. apart from your toaster and kettle maybe, all your other cooking loads will be switching off and on via the thermostatic control.... Never come across an electrician yet, that hasn't been surprised by just how far out, there load hungry calculations had been!!!

 

[Knobhead]

I’ve done it a few times E54. As you say the total load for the entire house was relatively low. It didn’t stop my eyes watering when the bill arrived.

 

[GT1]

At very best I would only put in an extra circuit for the washing machine, dryer, and a dishwasher.
And that would be a radial anyway.
But as others have said most of these appliances will be switching with the stats anyway. Yes, you could frantically run round and turn them all on at once. You may then come close to full loading. But if you check the charts against your protective device you'll see how long it will take for the device to actually operate. Your 32A mcb will happily go all day without tripping if fully loaded at 32Amps !