Cooker switch question

[fathertobe]

I can't seem to find one which occupies a single box. They all seem to come with sockets or are oversized and fit portrait boxes.

There must be a reason for this ... Size of the fuse?

I'm trying to match the MK range - I can see a 30A single switch - but nothing higher.

Appreciate the help.

 

[Zambezi]

Marbo and few others make 45A DP switches that will fit a single box (deep back box not a normal one like you would use for light switches or sockets).
They don't have fuses in them. The cable is normally large for cookers and can be very difficult to terminate into a single box.

 

[ericmark]

In the MK range it seems the 32A K5105 WHI switch is largest available using a single MOUNTING BOXES
FLUSH:
866 ZIC (6mm2 conductors)
877 ZIC (10mm2 conductors)
SURFACE:
K2140 WHI (6mm2 conductors)
K2031 WHI (10mm2 conductors)
See here to download PDF Range list.

 

[fathertobe]

Thanks for this - both of you.

I suppose my next question is whether a 32A will suffice for a cooker.

I guess that depends on the cooker in question but looking through the manual of the proposed winner simply says it should be to 13A plug socket (it's a range cooker with one gas oven and one electric oven - 90cm)

Obviously I would be asking an electrician to do the work, I'm just wanting to know for planning of boxes etc.

Thanks again

 

[Zambezi]

You could get away with a 20A DP switch above the worktop and an un-switched single socket behind the cooker. Only trouble will be if somebody decides to replace the current cooker with a bigger unit in the future.

 

[fathertobe]

Thanks. What if we just jettissoned the plug and wired straight into a cooker connector unit , and then from there to an MK 32A switch (as specified above)?

 

[Zambezi]

No. The plug has a fuse it which is to protect the cable, if you cut the plug then there is no protection. If you want to cut the plug off and wire directly then you will need to fit a SFCU above the worktop.

 

[fathertobe]

Bear with me, please! You've confused me.

I could wire cooker to this (without a plug):
http://www.screwfix.com/prods/16686...t;jsessionid=3MQDW0LTSODWSCSTHZPCFFQ?ts=82753

The outlet to this:
http://www.fastlec.co.uk/mk-32a-dp-switch-neon-k5105-whi-p-530.html

And then this would go back to the consumer unit.

I was using this as a rough guide:
http://www.diynot.com/pages/el/el027.php

Have I overlooked something really obvious?

Sorry and thanks.

 

[ColJack]

you could always put a 20A DP switch and run it back to a contactor for the cooker cable..

 

[Zambezi]

Yes from the cooker to the 45A cooker outlet you listed
from the 45A cooker outlet to the 13A SFCU like
http://www.screwfix.com/prods/13479...ckets/White-Moulded/MK-Range/MK-13A-DP-Sw-FCU
from the SFCU to the CU

alternatively you can do this:
Keep the plug on the cooker and plug it into an unswitched 13A socket outlet, one of these
http://www.screwfix.com/prods/51739...Superswitch-Range/Superswitch-13A-1G-UnSw-Skt
From the 13A socket outlet into the 45A DP isolator you linked to or even something like this
http://www.screwfix.com/prods/13014...kets/White-Moulded/MK-Range/MK-20A-DP-Sw-Neon
Then from the **A DP isolator to the CU.

I will again voice my concern that it may be fine for the cooker you have chosen but if you (or the next person who lives in your house) decides on a new cooker that has a higher rating, you may have to redo the whole lot to handle the higher load.

Hope that helps...

 

[fathertobe]

HI Zambezi,

Thanks. Why does the DIYNOT guide not mention a switched fused for the cooker?

 

[Zambezi]

I have not seen the guide but I guess that traditionally cookers have been monsters drawing a lot more power than the sub 3KW cookers that you get these days. Most sparks would run a 6mm cable to the cooker and fit a 45A DP isolator, as this is a) what they have always done (after some calculations to make sure it is the correct size) b) covers a wider range of cookers (which is why I have pointed out, a couple of times, that you must not exchange your current cooker with one of a higher rating if you have wired it up to suit a 13A circuit) c) quite often a house is wired when it is getting built and the electrician does not know what size of cooker will be used.
If it makes you feel better you can get COOKER engraved onto the faceplate of whichever DP switch you choose to install.

The OSG says the "the circuit supplies a control switch OR a cooker unit complying with BS4177,..."

 

[ElectricDunc]

Is this a new circuit your having installed or do you already have a cooker cable installed which you want to put a switch on that fits a single box operating your usual cooker outlet? I've read this whole post twice and i'm still a little baffled. Scolmore do the Click Mode range which looks very similar to the MK Logic Plus stuff and have a 45A double pole switch in their arsenal which fits a single 47mm deep box. A lot of people don't like the orange switch but make up your own mind if you want by looking here. They are very orange btw but i use nothing but as it's good quality and carries a 20year manufacturers warranty.