How to Replace an Electric Hob


One of the most important appliance in you kitchen or even you home is your electric hob. What do you do if it stops working and you can't get a kitchen specialist or electrician to come out and replace it? After looking at your options you decide to do it yourself but you don't quite know where to start. 

So what will you need?
  • Screwdriver
  • Pliers
  • Electric wire amperage/voltage tester
Let's get started! 

1. Lift your old hob out of the counter from the front edge leaving the back still on the counter. Some Electric hobs have support pegs that can prop the cook top open. Look at the underside for a manufacturer's label that tells the amperage rating of the hob. If there is no label or otherwise obvious means of determining the amperage of your current electric hob, the safest way to proceed is to call an electrician. Alternatively, you can disconnect the electric hob and take it to an electrician for evaluation. Either way, it is essential to know the amperage rating of the hob you are replacing. 
2. Measure the hole in the counter top. This is critical when replacing a electric hob in granite counter tops. 
3. Shop for a hob that matches the amperage of the hob you are replacing. Unfortunately, many old coil-type electric hobs use only 30 amps, while most modern, glass-topped ones demand 40 or 50 amps. This can mean you have to replace the 240-volt wiring to your kitchen and the 30-amp fuse and circuit breaker in your fuse box with those rated for 40 amps or 50 amps. Replacing the wiring might be necessary because old 30-amp circuits typically used 10-gauge wire while the newer 40-amp and 50-amp ones call for 8-gauge. You may want to call a electrician to do this for you. 
4. Trip the circuit at your fuse box, and then in the kitchen use your electric line tester to make sure there is no current running in your 240-volt electric line. Using screwdriver and pliers, attach the wires for the new hob to the 240-volt lines, always follow the wiring instructions supplied with the new hob. 
5. Drop the new hob into the hole in the counter top. Some models provide instructions for attaching the electric hob to the counter top. Reset the circuit breaker at the fuse box. Turn on the new hob to ensure that it is operating. 

Changing the electric hob is not that hard to do but remember that electrical work should always be done by an electrician. Don't mess with the electrics if you are not sure.


If this seems a little difficult then kluje.com can help find a kitchen specialist or electrician.
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Andrew Esmonde-White
electric hob electrician kitchen kitchen specialist

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