Single electric oven... plug in to a 13a plug - or hardwire?

by **prbaxter** » Tue Jul 28, 2009 7:42 pm

our oven just broke, and it's plugged in via a 13A plug.

we're looking for a new oven, but dont have a 30A box to connect to the new oven to, so... what is the maximum wattage oven we can buy that we can connect a plug to?

there's some ovens in curry's that appear to be low wattage (2400kw) but appear to be advising hardwiring, where others don't.

Oh and if you want a laugh, ask the sales guy in Comet the same question - he replied
"the power of this oven is 13 amp so you can put a 13 amp plug on it"
I'm sure he's not in a position to give out such advice... i gave him a run for his money. he actually thought it was best to leave us alone, knowing he was talking such rubbish.

by **moggy1968** » Tue Jul 28, 2009 10:19 pm

2.4kw is ok on a plug. my understanding is, amps not withstanding, if the cooker is freestanding it can run run off a plug, which must be accessable away from the cooker in the event, say, of a chip pan fire.if it is built in it has to be hardwired with suitable isolation

by **kbrownie** » Tue Jul 28, 2009 10:41 pm

prbaxter;
Some ovens can run on 13Amp plugs providing the output/voltage is 13 or less. Anything higher than that you need to hardwire to outlet plate and put on it's own circuit. Calcs for protective device and cable size will then need to be made.
But I'd always recommend following manufacturers instruction, don't rely on the sales team in Currys or any other store to help you with that sort of stuff. They want the sale and extended warranties! but you would think they'd learn a little about what they are selling.
KB

by **prbaxter** » Wed Jul 29, 2009 10:12 am

so... based on P=IV...

assuming Voltage is 230V, then anything less than 2990 should be ok on a 13 amp plug?

I mean, the worst that should happen is the fuse would keep blowing, right?

by **sparx** » Thu Jul 30, 2009 6:21 pm

prbaxter,
as you say 230X13= 2990W resistive so most ovens will be ok on plug and socket, most cookers loading is on hob rather than oven so as long as seperate units eg gas hob or seperate supply from cooker circuit for hob no problems,
regards Sparx

by **prbaxter** » Fri Jul 31, 2009 9:16 am

I managed to get hold of a sales catalogue for the ovens we are interested in and most of them say they require a 13A power supply required.

sorted. thanks guys.

although, still a bit confused by the number in the specs.. eg:

nominal power = 3kW
Conventional = 0.91kW/h
13 Amp power supplu required

whats the difference between the 3kw and the 0.91kw/h figures?

by **kbrownie** » Fri Jul 31, 2009 2:34 pm

Your oven has an output power rating 0f 3kW
within that power rating 0.91kW is used when the oven is using the conventional mode to cook/bake.
Ovens can use conventional or convertor modes to cook some have both devices available.
KB