NOD!

mike_l

Another vote for AO.

 

Paul_C

ordered with AO

my only concern is that the oven I have is standing on some pieces that are attached to its base and raise it up 3 or 4 inches from the bottom of the space it's occupying, and I wonder whether or not the person who will arrive to install the new one will be able to raise it to the same height.

I did ask and was told that it wouldn't be a problem, but I doubt whether the lad informing me of this had the slightest idea if he was right to tell me that. I might well prepare for the worst between now and the installation day on the 14th.

PolarityMan

what's wrong with a toaster?

xmrchi

And the most boring post title goes to.....

Paul_C

Second problem encountered (I do like to make life entertaining) - the spec. for modern EU-friendly products includes the need for a 32A fused circuit, and my current cooker is on its own 30A fused circuit.

A quick google suggests it shouldn't be a problem as it is, but a call to AO on their dedicated "any questions you might have in regard to your installation" resulted in a firm "I've never heard of that one, someone will have to call Hotpoint and get back to you".

Further research suggests I might be able to swap the 30A fuse for a 32A MCB (assuming such a thing is possible) which should sort things out.

Sambostar

P=VI

I thought you only needed something like an MCB if it is a radial circuit, ie a spur to the garage or something.

The cooker ring main with the 30A fuse switch should be on a 6mm Twin and Earth ring main to it's own 32A MCB in the consumer unit.

Or are you saying the cooker was running off a fused spur connected with speaker cables to the lighting ring main?

In which case you do have a problem.

I wouldn't worry though, EU laws mean all cookers above 3W are banned and that they must run on Duracell batteries and led power, so you'll have to start now if you want to get next years Turkey cooked anyway.

BigMonka

Having the fuse (I'm presuming you've got those Wylex rewirable fuses as your consumer unit) rated less than the manufacturer suggests shouldn't be a problem, it would be an issue if your device had a higher rating.

chillidoggy

What Sambostar said. Apart from the bit about 3W cookers.

Paul_C

The cooker's on a circuit of its own, with an old-style 30A fuse, but modern regulations demand a 32A fuse (MCB).

From what I read yesterday it should be possible to pull out the old fuse and swap it for a new 32A MCB (I can get one from Screwfix for a tenner) and job done, but I just wanted to be sure that's the case.

boogieman

You can get MCB's that plug into old style fuse boxes. Simply a straight swap for the existing fuse. Personally I wouldn't bother though (unless the installers are insistent on it) there's actually nothing wrong with rewirable fuses IMO. The only difference is they take an extra second or two to blow if there's a fault and they sound a bit more dramatic when they pop. Ok MCBs are easier to reset, but then they shouldn't be tripping in the first place.

chillidoggy

Also, MCB's cannot be bridged with a nail in an emergency*

*Don't try this at home unless there's an expert around. 

Paul_C

I'll keep hold of the old fuse for emergencies then . . .



. . . or go to the chip shop.

imalone

chillidoggy said:

Also, MCB's cannot be bridged with a nail in an emergency*

It'll certainly become an emergency...

Paul_C

heh - just had the new oven fitted, and I decided not to pay them an extra £10 to take the old one away, reasoning that at worst I could get it to the tip myself - we left it at the top of the drive and by the time they'd finished fitting the new one it had gone