Single Oven Supply

[jen31]

I've had an electrician carry out some work in my kitchen. He's put in a cooker supply for an induction hob and said that the single oven (2.6kw) could just be plugged in. He has spurred from a double socket and put in a fuse spur to isolate the socket and oven. He is now saying that this needs to be changed. Does it or is he just trying to get more money out of me.

Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

 

[m4tty]

Any fixed appliance over 2kW should really be on its own circuit

 

[steptoe]

but, there are hundreds upon hundreds that arent,

what size is your new hob?

and what size of a supply cable has your spark installed?

methinks he may have realised he has C***** up and now wants you to pay more,

or, he may simply be having doubts as to the loading on the kitchen ring and wants another supply for the oven,

personally I usually allow a big enough cable for the hob and spur the oven socket off that.

 

[Andy™]

as its under 13a then it can safely be plugged in, however its recommended fixed loads over 2kW should be on their own circuit.

 

[jen31]

The hob is 7.9kw and on its own circuit with a cooker connection point. It's the oven that's he's now saying is wrong. It's on 6 mm cable.

 

[Andy™]

well if he wired it and is now saying its wrong then ask him why he wired it that way in the first place

 

[steptoe]

well if he wired it and is now saying its wrong then ask him why he wired it that way in the first place

+1

 

[jen31]

Thanks for the replies. I'm getting myself all confused he explains it all to me but I think maybe he is trying to confuse me more!

So maybe I should just get him to change it. The kitchens being plastered in just over a week I don't want to have to correct things after.

Yep Andy your right I'm going to have to have words with him. I queried what he was doing in the first place but he explained it all to me like it would be fine and me being a women he made me feel a bit daft questioning him.

 

[Andy™]

ask him exactly what regulation says it cannot be plugged in, then ask him exactly why he said it could in the first place and wired it that way. and make sure you get a pic of the first fix wiring

 

[jen31]

Can I just ask one more thing...If the oven was on working at full capacity and I was to plug in an iron (also 2600 watts) to the socket that the ovens spurred from, would that overload the circuit? Or would I need to be using everything at once to blow it?

 

[Andy™]

depends what rating the circuit is. if its a ring then its probably 32a, so thats unlikely to overload it. if its a 20a radial then it may cause problems. but dont forget just because its switched on doesnt mean its using 2600w. the elements switch on/off as necessary to keep the right temp

 

[jen31]

Andy he's saying it can still be plugged in but needs to not be spurred from the double socket so he wants to run another cable and told me that I need a 20a breaker switch (I think that's what it's called) for it too.

 

[steptoe]

not quite,

but, you very possibly have your washing machine and tumble dryer on the same circuit also,

the cumulative effect could be quite high, especially as your oven could be on for quite a time,

although your iron would only be actually heating up in short bursts, the other appliances soon mount up,

its the length of time the oven is in use for that is the issue really.

 

[jen31]

It's definitely a 32amp fuse as I needed to buy a new one for the board.

 

[Andy™]

Andy he's saying it can still be plugged in but needs to not be spurred from the double socket so he wants to run another cable and told me that I need a 20a breaker switch (I think that's what it's called) for it too.

only possible way that could be is if the socket is already an unfused spur

easiest option would be put a fused spur / socket next to outlet for hob wired from that. no need for another cable back to board

 

[jen31]

My washing machine and tumble dryer are in the utility room on a separate circuit. I have a dishwasher but I'm almost certain that's on its own ring too.

Would it be a major disaster if I said no I want it kept as it is? Obviously my main concern is safety.

 

[SPECIAL LOCATION]

I've had an electrician carry out some work in my kitchen. He's put in a cooker supply for an induction hob and said that the single oven (2.6kw) could just be plugged in. He has spurred from a double socket and put in a fuse spur to isolate the socket and oven. He is now saying that this needs to be changed. Does it or is he just trying to get more money out of me.

Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

Advice........

First:   What work did you ask him to undertake.... Did you agree a price for the work....

and do you have any written agreement?

If you have no formal agreement for some undefined works with no agreed price then its a bit of pot luck as to how or what actually gets done get and at what cost it is to you.....

Whereas...

If you do have a formal agreement for an agreed schedule of work...

(e.g. wire in new cooker point in kitchen @ £xx.yy)

Then the actual method is down to the electrician doing the work..

BUT

the price remains the same to you...

IF the electrician does it wrong or leaves it unsafe, you get him to put it right at his cost.. NOT yours.

So if he has changed his mind on his method that has no bearing upon your final cost!!

You need to look at the manufactures instructions for the oven and hob as to what they say about how they should be electrically connected.... 

Wiring regulation 134.1.1  specifically says that manufactures instruction should be followed!! 

Is your electrician a member of one of the electrical contractor bodies....

e.g.

http://niceic.com/Page/SearchContractors

http://www.electricsaferegister.co.uk/

http://www.electricalsafetyregister.com/index.html

You can complain or seek a second opinion from them if you think you are getting unsafe work done.

sample contract sheet / complaints procedures etc..

http://www.electricalsafetyfirst.org.uk/find-an-electrician/ordering-electrical-work/

http://niceic.com/householder/factsheets

http://niceic.com/Uploads/File5169.pdf

http://niceic.com/householder/complaints

So in summary:-

we often hear about dodgy / dubious / cowboy / rouge traders/electricians...

BUT

If a customer has chosen have some work done without a formal agreed contract of works...

then IMHO they just as bad are leaving themselves open to being strung along!!

  :coffee

 

[steptoe]

just to add,

NOT being a member of a registration body does not mean you will get substandard work,

just the same as being a member does not mean you will get a competent tradeperson either.

there are lots of very good tradesperson s that are NOT members of any schemes,

just the same as there are a lot of cowboys that are members of schemes,

do NOT assume being a member of any registration body means you will get a skilled knowledgeable person.

 

[Sharpend]

+1^^

However a registered person gives another avenue of recourse for a complaint.

 

[jen31]

Thanks for the advice. Unfortunately no written formal contract. So yep I'm partly to blame I guess.