Whether or not you’ll need an electrician to install your oven will depend on what you want exactly. For instance, if you’re looking to replace or upgrade a gas oven to an electrical one, you can do this yourself,providing you are competent. However, if you need to install a new circuit for an electrical cooker, then you’ll need the services of a qualified electrician.
You shouldn’t attempt to install an electric cooker if you’re not competent; that is, if you don’t have the appropriate qualification and status to do so. If you don’t know an electrician or how to find one, you could be able to use the services of the appliance store where you initially purchased the cooker. Usually, such shops will offer an installation service, albeit for a fee.
If you’re looking to install a cooker yourself, be sure to have all the tools you’ll need to hand. Also, get acquainted with all the necessary requirements needed for the installation of a new cooker. Note that an electrical cooker draws a lot more power than a gas oven. This isn’t difficult to understand when you consider that electric cookers generate more heat and distribute the amount of heat more evenly than a gas cooker.
It may seem like a good idea to do it yourself to save the cost of having someone else do it, but if you’re not confident in your own ability, it’s better to leave it to a professional. While it isn’t a particularly complicated process, considerations like safety precautions and the right size of cables to use are important. Again, leaving this to a professional would be ideal if you don’t want to take any chances with an important appliance, such as a cooker.
That said, you’ll need to make sure you get a large fuse. Typically, the instruction manual that comes with your cooker will advise this. While you might be able to work with 13-Watt amps, you’re most likely going to need something bigger. In addition to the fuse, you’ll also need an accessible double pole isolator switch, as well as a thick heat resistant cable. If you don’t know what the requirements are for the size of electric cooker cables, it’s best to consult a professional electrician.
To install your cooker, you will need to check to make sure the RCD is working as it should; that is, it’s prudent to measure the tripping times. You’ll also have to make sure that the earthing of the new cooker is carried out efficiently, with an earth fault loop tester.
The problem with doing this yourself is that you mightn’t have the necessary equipment to carry out these tests. Subsequently, this could end up defeating the purpose of saving money on having someone install the cooker if you must then hire or purchase the equipment yourself. In which case, it would most likely cost less to have a Part P registered Electrician carry out the installation.