Moving an oven and extending the wire…

[pjb120]

Hi, I know this question has been asked many times before, but after searching through several forums, I still haven’t found a definitive answer. My question to anyone who definitely knows the right answer is as follows.

I want to move my ‘wired in’ electric oven and gas hob to the other end of my kitchen. The oven is currently run from a separate 45 amp circuit from the consumer unit to a switch box, which powers the oven and the electric sparker for the gas hob, and has a plug socket built in also.

Presently, there is not enough wire between the consumer unit and switch box to enable me to move the oven to its desired location. I therefore want to extend the wire by adding a new length of wire connected to the existing wire with a 45 amp junction box. What I would like to know is would adding a 45 amp junction box to extend the wire comply with the current building regulations?

I have looked at many similar questions on several forums, and there appear to be a number of solutions proposed, including crimping the wires together (don’t fancy this idea at all, plus don’t have an adequate crimper), adding a 45 amp junction box (my preferred option if it complies) or adding a whole new length of wire between the consumer unit and the switch box (more work and expense, so would prefer to avoid this option).

If someone who definitely knows about the regulations would be able to let me know whether a junction box would comply with the regulations, that would be great.

I don’t really want to know whether people think it’s “a good idea” or not, as this is the reason for my confusion (some people think its fine, whereas others don’t). I’m more interested in whether it would meet the regulations. I have tried looking through the various regulations but not been able to find an answer yet.

Many thanks.

 

[ban-all-sheds]

What you propose to do is notifiable.

There will be issues around the accessibility of a JB to resolve.

There may be issues of cable routing to consider.

It will be necessary to:

- check that the voltage drop on the extended circuit will be OK
- check that the fault-loop impedance on the extended circuit will be OK
- test the extended circuit before putting it into service
- sort out the problem of the hob ignition and the oven not being fused down from the 45A circuit


You're going to need a qualified guy to move the gas hob - get one who can do electrical work as well.

 

[holmslaw]

..

 

[pjb120]

Thanks for your replies so far.

It seems that although I could do it in theory, I wouldn’t know the foggiest about checking the fault loop, voltage drop and the oven/ hob not being fused down from the 45 amp circuit (although I would imagine this is already ok, because it has been running fine from this circuit at the moment). Plus it would cost me a couple of hundred quid for the planning officer to check it for me (with no guarantee it would pass). It may therefore make more sense to get a sparky in.

The reason why I am seeing if the work is viable to do myself is because the kitchen fitters were wanting to charge an extra £600 for moving 2 plug sockets, moving the oven switch (as described) and adding a spur for a cooker hood. I thought this was extortionate, so wanted to check out whether I could do it myself.

What sort of price might be expected for such a job? I wouldn’t have thought more than £300 (half a days work for someone who knows what they are doing + parts + VAT) personally.

 

[holmslaw]

..

 

[sparkybird]

If existing circuits don't have RCD protection it's odd's on that they will for the new work due to concealed cables and/or new sockets - this might be why the original price seemed high...

SB

 

[ban-all-sheds]

the oven/ hob not being fused down from the 45 amp circuit (although I would imagine this is already ok, because it has been running fine from this circuit at the moment).

If the circuit isn't fused down appropriately for the appliances it'll work fine but not be safe.

A bit like driving a car where the ABS has broken along with the inertia mechanism on the seatbelts and the airbags.

The car works fine until you need to do an emergency stop on a wet road and skid into something...