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Are you looking to start wiring in your new induction hob? While it might seem like an easy job, it’s likely a more complex than you initially thought especially when you start to research ‘how to wire an induction hob.
Kitchen DIY can consume us all! We generally start with painting, sometimes tiling, building furniture, etc. However, one element that an untrained DIYer should never attend to is the wiring of the kitchen appliances.
Suppose you have recently invested in an induction hob and are looking at saving yourself some money by learning how to wire an induction hob yourself. In that case, you definitely shouldn’t! Learning how to hardwire an induction hob takes years and practice. An untrained installation can lead to serious fire risks and installation issues such as buzzing noises or pulsing problems.
Induction hobs normally won’t cause fires on their own – but remember, you are working with electricity, and that’s always likely to pose a risk regardless of the appliance.
However, there are things that you can do yourself to help with the installation time by preparing your kitchen for the installation.
How to prepare your kitchen for an induction hob
Although you should never hardwire an induction hob yourself, there are a few things that you can do to prepare your kitchen for your new setup.
First of all, you will need to prepare a surface that is at least 20 mm thick. This is to help handle the weight of the induction hob and anything that will be put on it to cook.
Although you will be able to put an induction hob over an oven (as long as there is enough space between the two, approximately 6 to 7 cm), you cannot place an induction hob over a dishwasher, washing machine, or any appliance that will need to use a water source. This is because being in close proximity to the water could easily lead to the induction hob being damaged.
Finally, the induction hob will need to be placed next to a steady power source in order to be hardwired directly into the kitchen’s circuit. You will therefore need a power cable that is long enough to reach the hob to the circuit.
In order to ensure that the induction hob can take the power that it needs, check the voltage of the appliance on the bottom, and see if it matches that of your given supply.
Once everything has been properly checked beforehand, you will then be able to have your induction hob hardwired into your home with the help of a trained professional. If you’re unsure how to undertake any of these checks yourself, don’t worry – as an engineer will make sure that all is ready to go.
Do induction hobs need to be on their own circuit?
Yes, induction hobs always need to be on their own circuit. In fact, most induction hobs have to be wired directly into the house’s main power circuit. That is why they should always be installed by a professional.
However, if you happen to have bought an induction hob that simply plugs into the wall, then there are a few things to bear in mind.
First of all, even if your induction hob simply plugs in, it cannot be in the same socket as other appliances. Your induction hob should always be on a secure socket that is not interfered with by other appliances. You run the risk of breaking the outlet by overpowering it, not to mention causing a fire.
What’s more, just because your induction hob can be plugged in does not mean that it can be plugged into just any socket. It will need to be a powerful enough socket to be able to provide a steady electricity source for long periods of time.
If you are unsure about the socket that you are going to use for your induction hob, then consult a professional for expert advice.
Do I need a professional to install my induction hob?
Yes, you will need a professional electrician to install your induction hob in most cases. Some do come with plugs that can be plugged into their own socket – but as mentioned above, it’s not always a case of ‘just plug and play’.
For the most part, induction hobs need to be directly wired into the circuit of a home. This is due to the fact that they draw on a lot of power, especially when they are used for hours on end.
Moreover, even if they are relatively light and easy to manoeuvre, a professional will be able to determine where it will be best in your kitchen to place them based on the space that they need around them and the weight that the surface will need to be able to hold.
Remember that there are likely going to be times when your induction hob will need to support heavy pots and pans that could be filled with food. You will therefore need a very strong surface to be able to support the hob and everything that’s stacked on top!
If you try to install your induction hobby yourself, you run the risk of damaging the appliance, hurting yourself, and putting your loved ones at risk. An improperly installed induction hob is a fire risk at the very least. That is why you should always consult a professional installer.
Thankfully, due to the fact that they are relatively easy to fit, induction hob installations are really not that expensive. Some suppliers will even count the installation in the price of the hob – it’s well worth taking this option if it’s available as an extra.
