Advice on installing new oven

[Milleniumaire]

So, the hob gas pipe has been re-routed and I've ordered the oven, now that there's the depth to fit it in the oven cupboard. I've gone for a Bosch HHF113BROB, which comes with a fitted plug according to the online installation manual.

The manual also states "Only licensed specialists may connect the appliance....". which suggests I must pay someone (an electrician?) to plug it in!!!!

But seriously, the old oven and the power for the hob ignitors, are connected through the following socket in the cupboard next to the oven housing unit:

20230121_152629.jpg

• Milleniumaire
• 22 Jan 2023

The plug is for the hob. A 6mm cable is wired to the CU where a 32A RCBO is used on the circuit. Another 6mm cable was connected to the old oven, which had a maximum load of 2710W.

20230121_143225.jpg

• Milleniumaire
• 22 Jan 2023

I'm wondering if I should replace the Cooker socket with a double socket so that the new oven as well as the hob can be plugged in. This would then have the advantage of fusing the oven connection, whereas I assume at the moment it isn't and is only protected by the RCBO. I suspect the supplied plug will be moulded so I may have to disconnect the cable to be able to feed it through the holes in the units. Although more work, I feel this option may be the best to comply with the manufacturers installation instructions.

Alternatively, I could replace the cable that comes with the oven and use the existing 6mm cable to connect the new oven to the existing cooker socket. Obviously, this is the easiest option, but I suspect I should really hire an electrician to do this?

Which option is the safest or are they both equal?

 

[ericmark]

Personally I would use a hole saw and make a hole big enough for the plug, so if you need to remove for maintenance it's easy.

An electric hob is likely to exceed 13 amp, so likely will need hard wiring, although some don't.

As to electrician in England kitchen work is not under LABC any more, so plug in, even in Wales pre-assembled units don't need LABC, personally I would also wire in hob, not sure if technically needs notifying, but I would not bother.

It does seem manufacturers have a set of get out clauses which are used on all, likely would say needs an electrician even if battery powered.

 

[terryplumb]

Your hob is gas and fine to plug into the existing socket for ignition.
Fit a socket onto the 6mm cable currently hard wired into the isolation switch and plug your oven into it.

 

[Milleniumaire]

So, I'm looking to purchase a 2-gang socket to replace the cooker socket shown in my earlier photo. I'm a little concerned about the size of the 6mm wires that will be feeding the socket. The following photo shows the cable end that was removed from the old oven and the oven circuit cable is the same size.

20230131_193827[1].jpg

• Milleniumaire
• 3 Feb 2023

I haven't opened up the cooker socket yet, but I really hope there is only ONE 6mm supply cable. Are cooker circuits normally wired in radial?

Looking on Screwfix, many sockets specify 3 x 2.5mm or 2 x 4mm cables, but don't mention 6mm, although given this is less than 2 x 4mm, a single 6mm wire should fit in the terminals.

Can anyone recommend a particular brand of socket? Is it best to use a socket with a "plate" in the terminal connection, rather than just relying on the screw to hold the wire, especially when the wire is made of multiple strands?

 

[oldbutnotdead]

Cooker circuits usually have a single endpoint. Long as your double socket is a reputable brand (so avoid supercheap Chinesium offerings from online tat bazaars) you'll be fine.