Electric cooker wiring.

[Steven Pope]

Hi all, I am moving into a flat. it has had both gas and electric cooker in before. I am looking at installing an electric cooker but have the following issue. On the wall is the proper cooker ring main switch with light on and in the consumer unit it has a fuse callled cooker. my issue is that there seems no where to conect cooker cable to because the only thing behind where the cooker will go is an unswitched plug socket and I thought it needed to be a connecting block for thicker cable from the cooker?, the new cooker does not come with a cable (I know I have to buy this) so when I connect the cable to the connection block in the back of the cooker where does the other end go?.

Thanks in advance. Steve

 

[EFLImpudence]

my issue is that there seems no where to conect cooker cable to because the only thing behind where the cooker will go is an unswitched plug socket and I thought it needed to be a connecting block for thicker cable from the cooker?,

Possibly someone has swapped the cooker connector for a socket because that was all they needed.

 

[EFLImpudence]

Is the socket controlled by the cooker switch?

 

[Steven Pope]

Yes it is controlled by cooker switch. Is it easy to change back to whatever should be there? and Thank you

 

[EFLImpudence]

Yes, it is easy.

Get one of these:
https://www.toolstation.com/crabtree-45a-cooker-outlet-plate/p22152

Not clear (can't find better picture) but the metal part fits to the back box first then the plastic cover goes on.

 

[terryplumb]

Check the size of the cable from the isolator to the socket behind cooker. Good chance it's the same size cable as the one from fuseboard to isolator.
If it is ,you can remove the socket and fit a cooker connection unit . Into which you connect your new cooker .

 

[Steven Pope]

Thanks so much. I do understand this now. If the cable connecting to the plug socket from the cooker switch is not correct I.e to thin then what are my options please?

 

[terryplumb]

Buy an oven that can run off a plug ,or replace the cable.

 

[Steven Pope]

Ok, cant do the cable replace as it's all newly tiled , I'll look tomorrow to see. What size cable should it be? and what cable do I need to use between this and cooker? Thanks again

 

[terryplumb]

What amperage fuse or MCB protects the circuit unit at the fuseboard/consumer unit ? A typical UK cooker circuit would be 6 mm² cable and 32 amp MCB .
Your new cookers manufacturers instructions should specify what cable to use for connecting it up.

 

[Steven Pope]

Ok, great. Thank you very much for your time all.

 

[Vicario]

Terryplumb..are there any cookers that can use a 13amp plug? Does the OP mean oven or cooker? I think it's the latter according to his first post. I have a Neff oven that is rated at 2.99KW (but with a gas hob).

 

[terryplumb]

Terryplumb..are there any cookers that can use a 13amp plug? Does the OP mean oven or cooker? I think it's the latter according to his first post. I have a Neff oven that is rated at 2.99KW (but with a gas hob).

I didn't suggest a cooker that runs off a plug ,only an oven.

 

[Steven Pope]

Just so all are clear, I am installing an electric cooker not just oven

 

[flameport]

What size cable should it be?

Probably 6mm² T&E, as that is what's used on the vast majority of installations.
It's highly unlikely anyone has changed it to something else, and if they have there will be a short piece of conduit (probably diagonal) from the cooker switch to the outlet so that a new cable can be pulled in easily.

what cable do I need to use between this and cooker?

4mm² HO7 flex.
A 2m length will be appropriate for most installations.