Fitting a New Electric Cooker or Oven: What a Dorset Electrician Checks

A new cooker or oven is one of the most common jobs we’re called out for — and one where a quick check saves a lot of trouble. Many ovens and all range cookers draw far more power than a normal plug socket is designed for, so they need the right connection.

Why you can’t always just plug it in

Smaller built-in ovens can sometimes run from a dedicated socket, but larger ovens and range cookers usually need a dedicated cooker circuit with its own isolation switch. Using an undersized circuit or the wrong connection is a real fire risk.

What we check before fitting

• The existing cooker point and circuit rating — is it right for your new appliance’s load?
• Cable size and the condition of the existing wiring.
• A correctly placed cooker isolation switch.
• Whether it should be hard-wired or run from a suitable outlet.
• That everything is tested and certified once connected.

Old cooker being removed?

We can safely disconnect and make off the old connection too, so the space is left tidy and safe for delivery or worktop work.