Any sparky's able to answer a strange question

Discussion in 'Bulletin Board' started by Farnham_Red, Jul 18, 2024.

  1. Farnham_Red

    Farnham_Red Administrator Staff Member Admin

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    I have a built in Combi Microwave oven which has died after only 23 years of use. It used a 13A socket which was fitted to the wall at the back of the cabinet on the ring main that does the rest of the kitchen

    I find that almost all new built in combination ovens now need hardwiring to a 16A fused switch which is a pain as I guess you cant just replace the 13A socket with a 16A on the ring (even though I am sure it would work fine) Its bound to be against wiring regs

    I did find a possible replacement though that was rated at a maximum of 3KW ( 13A ) but strangely if I read the manual availlable online it states that it should be hardwired to a switch fused at 13A, but must not have a 13A plug fitted and be plugged into a socket. This makes no sense to me.
    Would I be contravening regs if I put a 13A plug on it and just plugged it in, or can I replace the 13A socket with a fused13A switch - or does this also break current wiring regs

    If almost any new cooker needs a new spur right back to the fuse box its going to be a real pain
     
    Farnham_Red, Jul 18, 2024
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  2. Burgundy Red

    Burgundy Red Well-Known Member

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    Tell me about it - ring mains aren't allowed in France so every new circuit (max 12 individual sockets) has to go all the way back to the fuse box, which is great fun if you're trying to upgrade an ancient house with 2-foot thick exposed stone walls. One learns to get pretty creative.
     
    Burgundy Red, Jul 18, 2024
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  3. Deafening Silence

    Deafening Silence Well-Known Member

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    Appendix 15 of BS7671 of the wiring regs says you should not connect resistive loads over 2kW to a socket ring and they should have a dedicated circuit.

    As to what would happen if you put it on a plug top who would know? Anything plugged into a socket is not part of the fixed wiring installation.
     
    Deafening Silence, Jul 18, 2024
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  4. roy

    royston tyke Well-Known Member

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    Have you got a dedicated 32a cooker supply in the kitchen that is unused?
     
    royston tyke, Jul 18, 2024
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  5. Farnham_Red

    Farnham_Red Administrator Staff Member Admin

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    So how come you can plug in a 3KW electric kettle into the ring main? Also you can buy none built in combi microwaves at up to 3KW and plug them in - thats why I dont understand why I cant put a plug on a built in 3KW one- at least not officially. As for the 16A ones that just annoying- unless you turn on the microwave on full power, the grill on full power and the fan oven on full power all at the same time its never going to get close to 13A never mind 16
     
    Farnham_Red, Jul 18, 2024
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  6. Farnham_Red

    Farnham_Red Administrator Staff Member Admin

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    Sadly not when our kitchen was redone the electrician installed on 32A cooker switch that goes to the main oven and a 13A socket that was used to plug in the Combi/Microwave. A new 16A spur will be difficult now would have been easy when the kitchen was installed though
     
    Farnham_Red, Jul 18, 2024
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  7. roy

    royston tyke Well-Known Member

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    Ahhh…unfortunately then I do think you need a direct wire with isolator from the fuse box.
     
    royston tyke, Jul 18, 2024
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  8. roy

    royston tyke Well-Known Member

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    Without knowing the exact answer without consulting the regs I’d guess it was diversity factor.

    A kettle is protected by 13a fuse anyway yet is only on full power for up to a minute.

    An oven with a 3kw rating will be on for a longer period whilst running near to full capacity at higher temperatures therefore putting more pressure on the load of the cable capacity for a longer period.
     
    royston tyke, Jul 18, 2024
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  9. Baz

    Bazza Well-Known Member

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    I had the same problem with the built in oven.
    I managed to find one with a plug in ,(more expensive) but saved hard wiring in.
    So mine is plugged in on 13 amp plug which came with the oven.
    So it must be allowed as they wouldn't sell with plug on attatched
     
    Bazza, Jul 18, 2024
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  10. Farnham_Red

    Farnham_Red Administrator Staff Member Admin

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    Yes I have found a few a couple of really cheap ones which dont look that great ~£200and a couple of silly priced ones >£1500 but all the decent mid priced ones need wiring grr. Guess I will contact my local electrician and get a quote before deciding what to do unless I find a plug in one that meets our needs
     
    Farnham_Red, Jul 18, 2024
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  11. Baz

    Bazza Well-Known Member

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    Take your time ,on line checking is useful .
     
    Bazza, Jul 18, 2024
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  12. Ton

    Tonjytyke Well-Known Member

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    There was two electricians fighting in the mount car park this afternoon.
     
    Tonjytyke, Jul 18, 2024
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  13. roy

    royston tyke Well-Known Member

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    Anyone get Sparked out?
     
    royston tyke, Jul 18, 2024
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  14. Ton

    Tonjytyke Well-Known Member

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    I thank you!!!!!
     
    Tonjytyke, Jul 18, 2024
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