cabman Posted August 17, 2006 Share Posted August 17, 2006 The 20plus years old mixed gas/electric free standing cooker that came with the house has packed up.A quick trip to local BUT, to choose and pick up replacement, no problem.Dragged old cooker away from wall. Surprise, surprise it's wired 5 wires into a large 5-pin plug with a rectangular earth and marked 380 volts...... 3-phase it seems!New cooker has normal 3 wires.Do we need an electrician, do we call in EDF or is there a simple solution that I can sort for myself ? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nick Trollope Posted August 17, 2006 Share Posted August 17, 2006 The rectangular pin is earth (as you have surmised) the centre pin is the neutral and the outer pins are the three phases or "lives".Connection of a single phase is possible (earth, neutral & just 1 phase - LEAVE THE OTHER 2 DISCONNECTED!). However, your supply may not be up to supplying a modern cooker on a single phase - if your cooker is all electric, then it is likely to draw 5-7Kw with everything turned on. This would need a 15-21Kw 3-phase supply - unlikely unless your house was once a factory...You may also need to select the phase to balance the load from everything else in the house (high=power devices such as heating, kettles, your C-E, toasters etc etc).You are allowed to do this yourself, BUT! If you are in the least bit unsure about this, ask a pro (not EDF, who will just tell you to call an electrician). 380V (phase-phase) voltage is absolutely guaranteed to kill you. Connect that plug up wrong and that is exactly what will happen.I believe that BUT have a delivery/install service.First, however, establish the "power" of your supply (from the main breaker or your bill), divide this by 3 then look at the rating of the cooker (with everythign switched on). If it is greater than your power supply, buy a bottled gas cooker.Call a pro! I accept no responsibiliy if you kill yourself. Electricity is safe if handled correctly (like C4). Your experience may vary!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jonzjob Posted August 17, 2006 Share Posted August 17, 2006 Excuse me butting in here Nick, but I think that the last paragraph sais it all. "Do we need an electrician". I would say yes and very loudly. 380 volts is a killer as you have said! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cabman Posted August 17, 2006 Author Share Posted August 17, 2006 Just as dodgy as I feared.Thanks for the replies.No dinner until the electrician has been it seems! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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