What Cable Should You Use For An Oven Or Stove – Sizes And More
This article was written by our friends at kabelbyen.dk.
(Please note that this is general advice. Consult with a professional for your individual needs)
In the present day, setting up a new kitchen isn’t easy. This is mainly because there is so much equipment and items to set up. One of the most important factors of setting up a kitchen is the wiring.
Yes, wiring is one of the most important factors in setting the kitchen as it needs to be done extremely carefully. You cannot just go and buy a cable for your stove or oven. You have to keep in mind what type of oven or stove you are using, and what type of cable will support your kitchen equipment and appliances.
One of those difficult decisions is to choose the correct cable. Numerous people ask; what cable for the oven and what cable for the stove should be used? There are numerous factors for choosing the right cable, for example, its covering and insulation, its construction, and so on. The main aim is to choose the cable that is the safest choice for your home. So here is an article that will help you choose the correct cable for your oven and stove.
Oven And Stove Circuit Breaker Size
Most of the electronic appliances used in the kitchen, mainly stoves and ovens have a breaker size that draws current that ranges from 30 amps to 50 amps. These further depend on their sizes and their features as well. You can check the breaker size of your kitchen appliances by checking the back labels. The back labels generally show how much current they draw and what kind of wire and cable you should be using for this particular appliance.
Type Of Cable To Be Used
In the case of all kitchen appliances, the power demand of the range generally depends upon the actual rating of that appliance. In the case of the kitchen stove and oven, a 50 amp to 240-volt circuit needs to be used. This needs to be further wired with a six gauge wire. This is mainly for the standard-size kitchen stove.
In case you want to go for the small stove you can then go for a 40 amp circuit that has eight gauge wires. The type of wire you need to use for these appliances are the 2 core and earth wire and if not that then you can also go for a twin and earth wire. In these, the brown wire is for the live current, blue for neutral current, and another exposed one for residual current.
Requirement For An Extra Outlet
There are a lot of times when you would feel that your oven placement has become too far from your plug then you might need to go for an extra outlet. You need to select an outlet configuration that matches the amount of current that is being drawn for your oven or stove. You also need to make sure you check on how many ports your plug has. If your plug has 4 then you can go and get the outlet that has 4 slots. Make sure you match the plug with your socket before you buy them.
Tips To Select The Correct Cable
Here are a few tips you need to keep in mind when you are selecting the correct cable for your home stove and oven.
* Installation Of The Cable: Insulation is one of the most important factors in choosing the correct cable. For a cable that is going to be used in the kitchen, you need to keep in mind that there can be times when there can be splashes of water. Or there can be an incorrect and irregular pulling of the wire in any situation. So make sure you choose a cable that is very well insulated so you and your family can be safe in all situations.
* Operation Of The Cable: You need to check that the insulation that is being used should be able to take the voltage stress that will be experienced during any condition. So before choosing one check the cable on a phase to phase basis and check on its standard category of 100 per cent, 173 per cent, or 133 per cent level of insulation. It is best to check the cable first before you choose to buy it.
* Construction Of The Cable: It is very important to understand the construction of the cable before you buy it. The construction mainly depends on 3 main factors that are conductors, arrangements, and insulation. So you need to decide whether you want a three-conductor or single conductor cable. Also, look for the cable that has good insulation and finish over so you do not get shocked while using it.
* Shielding Of The Cable: While you check on the shielding of the cable you need to keep 2 things in mind. First, check on the type of insulation that has been used for the cable. If it has a metallic cover it might be prone to shocking so go for a plastic-coated cable. Next check on the safety and reliability of the cable.
* Size Of The Cable: The size is another very important factor of the cable. You need to look for a cable that isn’t too long and isn’t too short either. If you go for a very long cable your or your kids might trip and fall. And if you go for a very short cable you may have to change the arrangement of your kitchen again. So have a clear idea of how long you want your cable to and then buy one.
Final Words
It is a great challenge to set up an entire kitchen and also keep in mind the safety and security of the family. Most importantly in the case of stoves and ovens, these equipment are used daily so their cables need to be bought with a lot of attention. Any wrong selection of cable can lead to numerous unexpected hazards.
Studies show that 70 per cent of shock cases happened due to the wrong selection of cable wires. It is crucial to know the correct characteristics and construction of the cable you are using so you can stay safe and keep your family safe.
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