cooker isolation switch

amatino

I have recently had electrical work by a qualified NICEIC electrician. The cooker isolation switch has been located at the bottom of the electric oven housing unit. We were not too happy with their electrical work even though they had produced a certificate. We have now purchased a new oven and have called another qualified electrician who refuses to install the oven as he says that the isolation switch should have been located outside the unit in the event of an electrical fault or fire. I have had to go back to the original electrical installers but they disagree!. In their opinion it is accessible. Help please. Thanks

Robin9

register a complaint with niceic - both should be members

amatino

Which of the two electricians are correct?

matelodave

Robin9 wrote: »

register a complaint with neceic - both should be members

Why is this the automatic response?


To comment on the OPs original query, AFAIK there should be an isolation switch with 2 metres of the cooker in a readily accessible position.

This could be in a cupboard on the wall or anywhere else where you can get at it to isolate the cooker so although you might not feel that it's where you would like it, it may be perfectly legal and within the rules.

Robin9

How else are you going to resolve the situation ?

amatino

The cooker is situated in a housing unit with a 200mm cupboard below. The isolation switch is situated on the wall at the back of this cupboard. is this within the NICEIC regulations? Or do I have a case against the electricians?

AndyPK

find another electrican who will install it.

matelodave

Q1.30 Is it acceptable to mount a cooker switch in a kitchen cupboard that is adjacent to the cooking appliance?

"Yes, provided the switch is located so as to be readily accessible and convenient for use."

Q1.31 Is a cooker switch or cooker control unit required to be provided as means of emergency switching for an electric cooker?

"Generally, cooker switches and cooker control units are provided as a local means of isolation and switching off for mechanical maintenance.

In most cases, the controls incorporated in a cooker can be used to remove the source of heat if danger arises.

However, a cooker switch or cooker control unit may also be provided as a means of emergency switching if the designer of the electrical installation decides that it is necessary, in which case it must be located so as to be readily accessible and convenient for use."


As you can see the rules/regs are sufficiently vague as to allow the isolation switch to be anywhere which is "readily accessible and convenient to use" provided that it's within 2 metres. It could even be in another room although that's not ideal for obvious reasons.

km1423

I've just had a full house rewire in my old flat. New cooker isolation switch is above worktop and about 60 cm in from the edge of worktop. Mine all passed off by NAPIT Inspector.


TBH not that much different from cooker isolation done 2008 in my home.


In reality you have to use a bit of sense - if you had to turn off the cooker in an emergency, you won't be able to remove it from the housing unit to then isolate. It must be "readily" accessible, as with all isolators. I've learned a lot about electrics and these regulations since February this year. Cost me a small fortune.


I would go with the 2nd electrician - but complain to NICEIC. Don't forget to take photographs of EVERYTHING