Freestanding electric stoves, despite the popularity of built-in kitchen appliances, are still in demand. They are cheaper, but at the same time they are not inferior to integrated units in technical specifications and design. And the installation takes a little time and does not require special preparation.
Proper installation and compliance with operating requirements are the conditions for a long service life, therefore homeowners often call a craftsman from a service organization or just a familiar electrician. But you can save some money by doing everything yourself. Do you agree?
But what is needed for this and how to do it right? We will help you deal with the task - in our article we will describe in detail how to connect the electric stove on your own. We will also analyze the nuances of choosing wiring and protective equipment, consider grounding methods, and wiring diagrams. This information can be useful to you, not only when installing the plate, but also in the future, during the repair or replacement of equipment.
Electric cooker wiring diagrams
First, let's look at the general rules. An electric stove belongs to powerful household equipment that consumes 40-50 A of current, so a separate electrical circuit is allocated for it. It connects two points: the circuit breaker in the apartment / house electrical panel and the socket / terminal block of the device.
In practice, 3 types of network connection are used:
- traditional way socket / plug;
- connecting wires in the terminal box in the wall;
- direct terminal connection on the back of the plate.
If the kitchen already has a pre-installed power outlet, powered by a separate machine, usually use it. This is more familiar, and if repair is necessary, the device can be quickly turned off without leaving the kitchen.
A conventional outlet for connecting an electric stove will not work, as it may not withstand the load. It is necessary to buy a special model, suitable for rated current, withstanding from 7 kW or more
But often use a direct terminal connection. It is considered more secure and reliable. The disadvantage of the socket-free connection is that each time you have to disconnect the stove from the mains, you will have to use an electrical panel.
The wiring diagram depends on the number of phases involved. Domestic equipment is designed for 1- or 3-phase connection, but we offer to disassemble all three possible options, including 2-phase.
All three connection methods differ in the number of active conductors: in the 1-phase 3, in the 2-phase - 4, and in the 3-phase - 5. The first option is relevant for high-rise buildings and is used in almost all city apartments, the three-phase is typical for energy supply of private houses
To connect the terminals of the plate with the conductors, jumpers from a copper wire are used. Modern technology is usually equipped with the necessary parts for the connection.
With a single-phase method, the phase is started at 1.2 or 3 terminals, they are all interconnected by jumpers. Zero goes to 4 or 5, which are also connected, and the earth goes to terminal 6.
According to the scheme, it is easy to understand how other types of connections are made. Problems with finding circuits will not arise - they can be found in the technical documentation for the electric stove or on a plate attached near the terminal strip on the back wall.
Circuit breaker and wiring requirements
Before starting the connection, you should find out whether the wiring corresponds to the potential load and whether a separate circuit breaker is installed in the electrical panel. If there are no elements for installation or they do not fit at face value, we recommend buying them in advance with the stove.
Powerful electrical appliances not only provide a separate line, but also put individual double protection: ideally, this is a set of RCD + circuit breaker.
Instead of this pair, difavtomat is often used to save space in the shield.
Installation diagram of protective equipment in the electrical panel. Through the automation, the phase is fed to the outlet, the neutral wire through the RCD is pulled to the zero bus, and the earth to the common ground bus
When buying an automatic machine, the decisive criterion is the rating, which is selected according to the maximum value of the consumed current. Usually it is 40-50 A, but it is better to clarify the technical data in the passport of the plate. We recommend that you familiarize yourself with the rules for choosing a machine.
To ensure safety, the value is selected in the direction of increase - so when working at maximum loads, the protection will not constantly work. Suppose that the maximum current consumption is about 45 A, therefore, a 50 A machine is needed.
For the selection of RCDs, the principle is the same - in the direction of increase, that is, in combination with a 50 A automatic machine, they put RCDs at 63 A.
With the choice of wires, too, there are no particular difficulties. An aluminum cable is not suitable - it is better not to use it at all for a home wiring device. This is unsafe, and in terms of characteristics it is inferior to the copper counterpart. Therefore, we stop on a copper wire with a cross section corresponding to the power and current consumption.
When choosing a wire, the network characteristics and the method of laying the wires are also taken into account. According to modern requirements, new city apartments are initially equipped with wiring that complies with all standards. And in old housing, you may have to change the wiring
If you still have to buy wires during the preparatory work, you need to focus on the power parameters of the plate:
- 3-5 kW - wire cross section 2.5 mm²;
- 5-7.5 kW - 4 mm²;
- 7.5-10 kW - 6 mm².
For a three-phase network, a 5-wire 2.5 mm² wire is used.
If you have not yet decided which model of the stove to buy, but have already started replacing the wiring, you can safely buy VVGng wire 4 mm² - if the distance from the plate to the shield is no more than 12 m, and VVGng 6 mm² - if the switchboard is further. Modern stoves with ovens are powerful enough, so you will not lose.
Now let’s figure out in which order it is better to perform all the actions.
Step-by-step Connection Guide
The easiest way to install when everything is ready: the power circuit is displayed on a separate machine, and in the kitchen, in a convenient location, a power outlet is installed or wires are prepared for direct connection. Everything meets the norms and requirements, it remains only to connect the wires according to the scheme.
But in practice, we are faced with other situations: in an old apartment, when installing new powerful equipment, it is often necessary to change all wiring, in new housing, sockets are not conveniently located. Therefore, we consider possible options.
Step # 1 - choosing an installation location
For the stove, you must select a site for "permanent residence", since it is unlikely that you will rearrange it to another place. This is usually decided during the ordering process or the purchase of a kitchen unit.
The place for the stove is chosen taking into account the rule of the "working triangle": when it, the refrigerator and the sink are in the common area, at a relatively small distance from each other
Taking into account the safety requirements, the base under the stove must be strong and stable. It is not necessary to carry out any separate measures for thermal insulation or wall protection - modern devices are maximally protected from various risks.
If a power outlet is already installed in the new apartment, try to keep the stove as close to it as possible.Short wires and the absence of extension cords are also one of the safety conditions.
Step # 2 - calculations and work planning
It is better to plan ahead all the stages of work in order to understand how long it will take to prepare. You may have to completely change the wiring, but at the same time make cosmetic repairs - you just have to start.
For convenience, make a list of what you need to buy - wires, circuit breaker, plug, socket, flexible wire. It is possible that you will need one thing or nothing at all, since everything is already there
In apartment buildings, it is forbidden to independently form or supplement electrical panels, therefore, in order to install a separate automatic machine, arrange with an electrician from the service company in advance. He will tell you which device is better to purchase.
Please note that the internal wiring is a long and laborious process. You have to look for a special tool or hire workers to pave the walls. All these nuances must be taken into account before starting work.
Further steps suggest that everything is okay with the wiring.
Step # 3 - installing the circuit breaker
Having bought a machine, first look for him the most successful place on the din rail. This is more convenient to do if you have a separate electrical panel that is not combined with the shields of neighbors, which is typical for houses of old construction.
The automatic machine for the stove is usually included in the so-called "kitchen" group, which consists of protective devices for other powerful units - for example, a boiler. Low-power devices are usually connected to one line and powered by a common machine
If you still had to make the installation yourself, first of all protect yourself - turn off the power supply.
After attaching the device to the DIN rail, fix the wires one at a time. First, strip the supply phase core, lead it to the upper clamping terminal and press it with the screw. Try not to get the insulation in the clamp. Then fix the neutral conductor and ground to the appropriate busbars.
Step # 4 - if you need a flexible wire
A simpler connection is hidden when the power cord is directly connected to the terminals on the plate. But we will analyze the more complicated way, with the installation of a flexible wire with a plug, so that you can use the outlet and, if necessary, turn off the stove directly in the kitchen.
A flexible wire is not included in the kit, since a direct, more secure connection is assumed. But the power cord itself and the plug can be purchased at the store for a small amount
Some manufacturers care about their customers, therefore, they complete the devices with plugs and wiring diagrams.
Power forks have a collapsible and clear design. To connect the wires, first unscrew the fixing screws, remove the cover with the pin-contacts, remove the locking bar.
Find three terminals: ground is usually located on the top or bottom, and on the sides are zero and ground. To understand how to distribute the cores, test the outlet into which you will insert the plug.
Testing is easiest with an indicator screwdriver. If it is placed in a hole with a neutral conductor, it will not respond, and when connected to a phase, the indicator will light up
When connecting the wires to the terminals, you must correlate the phase of the outlet with the phase of the plug, so that when turned on, they coincide. When you find out, you can connect the conductors. Remove the insulation from the cable by approximately 5 cm, insert it into the plug housing.
Strip conductors also a couple of centimeters. The ends of stranded wires are best crimped with lugs. If this is not possible, you can twist and wind around the contacts.
It remains to fix the wires in the corresponding terminals, and then reinstall the plug cover with pins. The wire for the plate is ready, it remains to fix it on the case.
Step # 5 - connecting the wires according to the scheme
For the correct connection, select the desired circuit.If you own a city apartment, you will need a circuit for a 1-phase network.
Where is the wire connection located? On the back of the stove there is a small niche, covered with a lid. The rectangular metal cover is held on several screws or a latch. Remove the cover, find the terminal blocks.
The connection location can also be found on the plate with the connection diagrams of the conductors to the terminals. It is usually located above or to the side of the terminals. Some models have all schemes - only in the installation instructions
We connect the terminals with jumpers according to the selected scheme, distribute the conductors of the flexible cord to the terminals, insert them into the terminals and twist. If the wires are stranded, we recommend pre-crimping them with special terminal lugs. Simple twisting and winding are not protected and dangerous.
Bolts need to be tightened so that the contact is as tight as possible. This will protect the wires from accidental sparks and burning.
Try to observe the color coding when connecting the plug and the terminals of the plate. So you reduce the likelihood of confusion, in which, at best, the stove just does not work, at worst it closes
After connecting all the conductors to the terminals, screw the cover back into place, and secure the wire so that it does not hang, use a special clamp - a plastic device located next to it.
Step # 6 - performance testing
Before turning on the machine, make sure that all connections are securely fastened. Then, alternately plug the machine and the plug into a power outlet. Try using auto ignition. If the flame ignites, all connections are made correctly.
If the stove does not work, somewhere there is no contact. You will have to double-check all the connection points, including the switchboard, plug and terminals on the electric stove. Perhaps the wires are mixed up or not all are connected.
We recommend that upon completion of work, if they are fully completed on their own, still invite an electrician. You can start using the stove only after its professional approval - then you will be 100% sure that everything is done correctly.
Detailed briefing with explanations + soldering wires:
How to connect the plug to the wire - clearly and comprehensively:
As you can see, connecting an electric stove has its own difficulties, but if you know the necessary information, you can do it yourself. Of course, the main help is the technical documentation - wiring diagrams and manufacturer's recommendations on the choice of devices.
You now have knowledge that can come in handy when repairing or replacing equipment. Do not forget that for connection it is necessary to check the wiring characteristics and set automatic protection.
If you know interesting and useful nuances of installing an electric stove - join the discussion below in the comments. Write down what difficulties you encountered when connecting your model, what mistakes you managed to avoid.