The IET is carrying out some important updates between 17-30 April and all of our websites will be view only. For more information, read this Announcement

Rules and Guidelines
Want to participate in the discussions? Please read our Community Rules and Guidelines. Need some help? Visit Support and Answers.

  • State Helpful Answer
  • Locked Locked
  • Replies 7 replies
  • Subscribers 36 subscribers
  • Views 1293 views
  • Users 0 members are here
Options
You may also be interested in
This discussion is locked.
You cannot post a reply to this discussion. If you have a question start a new discussion

Replace Ceramic Hob with Induction Hob Query [UK]

Paul Rowntree

Existing installation over a decade old:

  • Ceramic Hob
  • Fed from 32A 2 pole Isolator
  • Hob has dedicated Radial Circuit 32A MCB (note for avoidance of doubt: oven is on Separate 32A MCB radial circuit)
  • Hob Radial Circuyt has 6mm2 cable (confirmed from elec cert).

Existing hob is woking fine but considering replacing with induction hob for energy efficiency reasons.

So, Question; If it is replaced with an new induction hob (like for like other than change from ceramic radiant hob to induction hob):

1) is it mandatory for the swapout (disconnection of cable connection to old and reconnection to new) to be undertaken by a qualified electrician?

2) Will replacement of ceramic hob with induction hob mean installation of RCD protection of the circuit will be required (eg change from MCB to RCBO [obviously] by qualified electrician)?

Thanks,

Paul

  • +1

    1. No, it only has to be done by someone who is competent to do it.

    2. Depends on what you mean by "required".  It's probably required by the latest edition of BS7671, unless the circuit is one that doesn't need an RCD by design.  It may be required by law, but if it is, then it was probably illegal even before the hob was swapped.

  • 0 in reply to Simon Barker

    Hi Simon. As I understand it RCD wasn't required to comply with the wiring regulations when the circuit was provided and ceramic hob was installed circa 2006 (note direct radial circuit feeding hob isolator only).

    Under current regs a new domestic circuit buried in wall <50mm would undoubtably require an RCD, an altered such circuit would also  require an RCD wheb altered, but there is no requirement to retrospectively upgrade an existing unaltered circuit to provide an RCD if it complied with the then edition of regs when circuyt & hob installed.

    So I think it comes down to whether swapping the hob counts as a material alteration to the circuit or not.

    (What is driving the question is: if RCD required due to swapout, then no point in paying supplier of hob ~£90 for installation when product delivered; as they would just walk away due to no RCD on circuit, so would need to hire a local electrician to replace mcb with rcbo and install hob).

  • 0 in reply to Paul Rowntree

    For avoidance of doubt not in rented property or property intended to be rented

  • +1

    I see no reason why the circuit has to be brought up to the current BS 7671 although it is highly desirable. The manufacturer's instructions may well specify that a Type A RCD is required, in which case an installer might not be willing to connect.

    Would I swap my own hob without upgrading? Yes, if we didn't use gas.

  • +1

    an altered such circuit would also  require an RCD wheb altered

    Not necessarily - new work should comply with current regs, but there's no stipulation that an entire circuit needs to be brought up to date when working on part of it.

       - Andy.

  • 0 in reply to Chris Pearson

    oddly I have swapped by own gas hob as well.
    Mike.

  • 0

    Not even sure that changing an MCB for an RCBO always would need to be done by anyone with anything other than 'competence' it is not necessarily notifiable under part P (not a new circuit, not a new consumer unit,  not a new bathroom etc. ) Of course it is not quite in the spirit of things, but as the rules are written.
    Mike

Join us to get the best from IET EngX.

Joining EngX lets you personalise your experience so you stay up to date on the topics that interest you, plus you’ll be able to make connections who are looking to collaborate, exchange ideas and more.

Join us Not now

Community Rules & Guidelines