Hi all
As mentioned before, I'm installing an electric ceramic hob 6.5KW to replace a gas hob. The house was built 7 years ago and I've owned it from new.
To the left of the exisiting gas hob is a regular Cooker Control unit with socket and the oven is connected to this via a cooker cable connector/outlet behind the oven.
To the right of the exisiting gas hob is a MK 32amp with neon Double Pole switch and has a transfer sticker below it 'HOB' and currently supplies power for the gas hob ignition.
Looking at the consumer unit the first MCB is labelled 'HOB' and rated at 32amp, the second MCB is labelled 'COOKER' and is also 32 amp rated. So I thought, great it looks like i've got two 32amp radials to the kitchen which means I can leave the oven connected to the COOKER CCU and connect the new electric 6.5KW hob to the 'HOB' radial at 32amp.
However, on removal of the oven to see the connections behind, sure the oven is hard wired to the cooker cable outlet plate for the Cooker control unit with socket, however the gas hob ignition is supplied via a flex from the hob with a 13amp moulded on plug (3amp fuse fitted) and plugged into a single unswitched socket next to the oven cable outlet. This was confusing as the isolator is definately the 32amp MK double pole switch marked 'HOB'
On removal of the single unswitched socket, it is wired 6mm2 T&E to the 32amp DP switch marked 'HOB' and 6mm2 T&E to the 32amp MCB marked 'HOB' at the consumer unit.
Again, not really a problem as I can easily replace the socket for a cooker cable outlet plate.
My electrician has confirmed the cable size is 6mm2 and checked what I've done is good.
My question is:-
a) I inderstand that connecting a cooker to an exisiting connection does not require notification even though it is in a special location i'e Kitchen, however, does changing the single socket to the cooker cable outlet plate require certifiying and notification under part P ?
b) Why did the builders not simply provide the gas hob ignition from a 13amp spur outlet? ( my electrician has suggested that it is sometimes done today in new house builds to provide two 32amp radials to the kitchen in case of hob/oven upgrades that require larger rated supplies.)
The reason I ask is that my electrcian said that this doesn't require notification because I am simply connecting a cooker to an exisiting circuit and replacing an accessory (i'e the socket plate for a cooker cable plate)
Now I wouldn't normally be this hesitant, but my brother having a degree in electrical engineering, not contracting, was quick to tell me that under part P, you cannot do anything in a special location I'E a kitchen without a certificate and notification to local building control.
Looking at information that I can find such as the NECEIC website kinda confirms my electrcian, however it does state 'Connecting a cooker to an EXISTING connection unit' and replacing a DAMAGED accessory such as a socket or ceiling rose in a special location is not notifiable, but my situation, is, in my mind just a bit different so I'm really not sure.
So who is right, any suggestions???
As mentioned before, I'm installing an electric ceramic hob 6.5KW to replace a gas hob. The house was built 7 years ago and I've owned it from new.
To the left of the exisiting gas hob is a regular Cooker Control unit with socket and the oven is connected to this via a cooker cable connector/outlet behind the oven.
To the right of the exisiting gas hob is a MK 32amp with neon Double Pole switch and has a transfer sticker below it 'HOB' and currently supplies power for the gas hob ignition.
Looking at the consumer unit the first MCB is labelled 'HOB' and rated at 32amp, the second MCB is labelled 'COOKER' and is also 32 amp rated. So I thought, great it looks like i've got two 32amp radials to the kitchen which means I can leave the oven connected to the COOKER CCU and connect the new electric 6.5KW hob to the 'HOB' radial at 32amp.
However, on removal of the oven to see the connections behind, sure the oven is hard wired to the cooker cable outlet plate for the Cooker control unit with socket, however the gas hob ignition is supplied via a flex from the hob with a 13amp moulded on plug (3amp fuse fitted) and plugged into a single unswitched socket next to the oven cable outlet. This was confusing as the isolator is definately the 32amp MK double pole switch marked 'HOB'
On removal of the single unswitched socket, it is wired 6mm2 T&E to the 32amp DP switch marked 'HOB' and 6mm2 T&E to the 32amp MCB marked 'HOB' at the consumer unit.
Again, not really a problem as I can easily replace the socket for a cooker cable outlet plate.
My electrician has confirmed the cable size is 6mm2 and checked what I've done is good.
My question is:-
a) I inderstand that connecting a cooker to an exisiting connection does not require notification even though it is in a special location i'e Kitchen, however, does changing the single socket to the cooker cable outlet plate require certifiying and notification under part P ?
b) Why did the builders not simply provide the gas hob ignition from a 13amp spur outlet? ( my electrician has suggested that it is sometimes done today in new house builds to provide two 32amp radials to the kitchen in case of hob/oven upgrades that require larger rated supplies.)
The reason I ask is that my electrcian said that this doesn't require notification because I am simply connecting a cooker to an exisiting circuit and replacing an accessory (i'e the socket plate for a cooker cable plate)
Now I wouldn't normally be this hesitant, but my brother having a degree in electrical engineering, not contracting, was quick to tell me that under part P, you cannot do anything in a special location I'E a kitchen without a certificate and notification to local building control.
Looking at information that I can find such as the NECEIC website kinda confirms my electrcian, however it does state 'Connecting a cooker to an EXISTING connection unit' and replacing a DAMAGED accessory such as a socket or ceiling rose in a special location is not notifiable, but my situation, is, in my mind just a bit different so I'm really not sure.
So who is right, any suggestions???