Swap a 32AMP Switch with a 45AMP switch!

[Graeme]

Hi, I am changing the face plates of all the switches in my kitchen. There are numerous, one for each appliance...Washing Machine, Hot Water Heater, Fridge etc. On the advice of the manufacturer I was told 20AMP switches would suit all appliances. Only now that I have taken the old ones off, the majority are 20AMP which is fine, although the cooker oven and cooker hob are 32AMP. I spoke to the manufacturer again who said they do not make 32AMP switches any more so they sent me out a couple of 45AMP DP switches instead.

I would just like a second confirmation that it will be ok to swap the two 32AMP switches with 45AMP ones. He even said it would be fine to run the cooker hob on a 20AMP switch, which has confused me even more!

Thanks in advance,

Graeme

 

[ban-all-sheds]

Is it a gas hob, or electric?

If electric, what is its rating?

But in general, you'll be absolutely fine with 45A switches - a good analogy would be fitting tyres rated to 150mph to a car which could only do 100....

 

[ericmark]

All switches should be bigger than the protective device so swapping a 32A for 45A should be OK assuming it is still protected by a 30/32A fuse/MCB.

In most cases a hob would be too big to be controlled by 20A switch although likely it would be OK for an oven.

 

[kai]

My 8.5. kW (37amp) shower is controlled by a 63amp rated AC22A isolation switch outside the bathroom door, fed off a B40 breaker on the RCD side of the consumer unit. Perfectly safe to use.

 

[securespark]

As long as it fits the existing back box...

 

[Steve]

My 8.5. kW (37amp) shower is controlled by a 63amp rated AC22A isolation switch

I'm sure the missus loves that.

 

[Graeme]

Thanks very much for all replies. It is an all electric oven. I am now re-assured that it is ok to swap the 32A switches with the 45A ones.

Thanks again!

Graeme

 

[Goldberg]

He even said it would be fine to run the cooker hob on a 20AMP switch, which has confused me even more!

That would confuse anyone, on the grounds that it's utterly wrong.

Could it be that he actually said cooker "hood"?

 

[ban-all-sheds]

We still don't know if it's a gas hob, and only needs electrickery for ignition....

 

[Goldberg]

You're right - I stand corrected.

Ignore me.