Kitchen cupboards/installing induction hob

bouicca21

My Howdens kitchen was installed by the previous owner. I'd like to have a few modifications like installing pull out baskets, recycling baskets and a twirly thingummy to make better use of the corner cabinet. I'm assuming this is reasonably straightforward (?)

The bigger issue is the gas hob. I'd like to junk it and get an induction hob instead. Is swapping one for the other reasonably easy? The hob sits over an electric oven so is close to a cooker point. Can it run off the same point? I don't want to get into rewiring or mess up the existing work surface.

Le_Kirk

You will have to have the gas disconnected and capped by a registered gas professional. If the cooker point is one of those with a big red switch saying Cooker and is connected to its own breaker or fuse (of the correct rating - see oven/hob manual for this) in your consumer unit, then you should be able to connect the hob into the same point. For complete ease of mind (and safety) employ a professional.

bouicca21

Oh I'm definitely going to get a professional to do it. As my questions probably indicate I am useless at practical stuff. But I don't want to buy a hob and then find out it can't be fitted!

nickperry68

Shouldn't be a problem...
In addition to what Le_Kirk said I'd check the rating of the cooker circuit already installed and the rating of the oven already served by it. Depending on the wiring there will be a maximum load - its not as simple as just adding up the appliance ratings as diversity comes into play, but get the electrician to look at it before you purchase the hob - they will be able to tell you the maximum rating for the hob before you go out and source one. Depending on how much you want an induction hob, if the current oven is a big user of power and you have no spare capacity for the hob you could always replace the oven for a lower rated one - again the electrician will be able to quickly tell you this.

bouicca21

So I need to check the manual for the oven to see what it is rated at? And check the cooker circuit - by looking at the circuit breaker? The place was rewired by the previous owner just under 3 years ago.

Sorry, I realise these are dumb questions but back when dinosaurs were a lad, the only practical skill I got taught was needlework (and I remember precious little of that).

Le_Kirk

That is correct, the other place to find the cooker rating is on the name/serial plate but manufacturers helpfully fit them to the BACK of the cooker so making it difficult/impossible to see.

nickperry68

These aren't dumb questions at all...
Checking the fuse/rcd in the consumer unit may not tell you the overall possible safe handling capacity for the circuit... the original electrician, if its three years ago, would probably have used either 6mm or 10mm cable for the cooker circuit (40amp or 53amp respectively) but then correctly fitted a lower rated rcd appropriate for the oven finally installed...