Utilising An Old Cooker Circuit

[deso]

The old electric cooker is being replaced by a gas cooker so the cooker circuit is now redundant. I'm looking to use it to create a wall socket about 3 metres along the wall. It's on its own 30A circuit from the CU.  Could I safely put the existing 6mm cable into a 30A junction box then run a 2.5mm cable off this to a double socket?

Thanks

 

[Andy™]

yes, however the junction box will need to be accessible unless its an MF type, and i would change it to a 16a circuit. you also need to make sure you keep the wiring within safe zones

 

[ProDave]

As long as the junction is accessible (or maintenance free) and the cables are in safe zones then yes. Change the MCB to 16A

EDIT

Andy beat me to it.

 

[Sidewinder]

Oh, please make sure it is connected correctly and that it will disconnect in accordance with the circuit requirements under BS7671/thus, Building Regulations, and more to the point to ensure that you, your family and others in your home are safe and protected following the modification.

 

[deso]

Thanks very much guys.

 

[Murdoch]

RCD, bonding, MF JB, accessible joint, cables in zones??

 

[deso]

A quick follow up - a friend suggested I could do as above but use a length of 6mm cable from the JB to the socket and leave the 30A MCB in place - would this be safe?

 

[pewter]

A quick follow up - a friend suggested I could do as above but use a length of 6mm cable from the JB to the socket and leave the 30A MCB in place - would this be safe?

Yes.

Or use 4mm (what i would do)

could even do a lollypop 2.5mm ring off the 6mm.

 

[Murdoch]

Rcd protection, bonding, zones....... .

 

[Steve3948]

Murdoch,you mention RCD protection, bonding, zones, well what about it explain yourself
 

 

[Murdoch]

Murdoch,you mention RCD protection, bonding, zones, well what about it explain yourself Murdoch,you mention RCD protection, bonding, zones, well what about it explain yourself

Why should I, after all this is for electricians who should know their regs!

 

[Doc Hudson]

Why should I, after all this is for electricians who should know their regs!

Because this is also for students, apprentices, career changers, DIY'ers and others who may be less familiar with wiring regulations or good work practices than you are. If it were purely for people who know the regs, then by definition they would not need to ask, which sort of defeats the point of asking something if you already know the answer. There is no legal obligation for a working knowledge of BS7671 to do the work being asked about in this question. The better the quality of the answers given on the forum then the more traffic it can attract with better search engine ratings which can increase its potential for prospective sponsors. Which will all help to keep the forum alive and thriving. If you enjoy the forum please do your best to make it the most helpful and useful electrical resource on the internet. Thank you

Doc H.

 

[Murdoch]

Because this is also for students, apprentices, career changers, DIY'ers and others who may be less familiar with wiring regulations or good work practices than you are. If it were purely for people who know the regs, then by definition they would not need to ask, which sort of defeats the point of asking something if you already know the answer. There is no legal obligation for a working knowledge of BS7671 to do the work being asked about in this question. The better the quality of the answers given on the forum then the more traffic it can attract with better search engine ratings which can increase its potential for prospective sponsors. Which will all help to keep the forum alive and thriving. If you enjoy the forum please do your best to make it the most helpful and useful electrical resource on the internet. Thank you

Doc H.

We'll Doc, I'm not going to give step by step instructions to Diyers when it's my income stream!

 

[Doc Hudson]

A quick follow up - a friend suggested I could do as above but use a length of 6mm cable from the JB to the socket and leave the 30A MCB in place - would this be safe?

With regard to electrical safety and loading this would be acceptable, but physically it may be a bit of a squeeze manipulating a 6.0mm cable neatly in the back of a standard socket. Cooker accessories typically have larger terminations than sockets due to the larger cables used. As Pewter says a 4.0mm would be easier to install but still give 30A capacity. 

Doc H.

We'll Doc, I'm not going to give step by step instructions to Diyers when it's my income stream!

I doubt any DIY'ers asking questions on this forum would have any significant effect upon any self employed members income streams. It would be like assuming the publication of Haynes manuals and availability of car spares would put competent self employed mechanics out of business. Reality check, its not going to happen and an individuals income is more reflective upon their own standard or work and promotion, advertising, and marketing techniques.

Giving cryptic unhelpful answers will not help you, the forum or the person asking the question. Which raises the question why answer at all if you cannot be helpful? Wasting time giving half answers will not help your income stream either!

Doc H.

 

[deso]

I'm a competent DIYer and have been extending rings, adding spurs, installing FCUs, sockets and light switches etc etc for about 30 years with no problems, but I've never tried to 'recycle' a cooker circuit, hence my request for advice. I've never felt comfortable tinkering with the CU so the prefered options for me now are the 4mm or lollipop routes.  Big thanks to Andy, ProDave, Sidewinder, Pewter and DocH.

Murdoch, shouldn't you be out looking for work instead of wasting your time on here?