-
It will be very easy to see how your oven is connected.
Thanks, should have explained more clearly... I can see the current unit is wired in to a socket in the cupboard next to it (along with something else plugged in next to it, probably the extractor hood), my question was more about what happens if a newer oven needs to be wired in to the circuit directly rather than via a plug/socket. What kind of shenanigans is required then.
It's a 10+ year old MFI fitted kitchen so I don't know too much of what lies beneath/behind, but from the bits I can see by removing the kickboards it seems mostly sensible.
If I can find a new one the same size that can just be plugged in I'd be happy to do it all myself, but the info and the reviews of various Zanussi models on the John Lewis site seem contradictory.
Greenbank-
I reckon there won't be much if anything between the rating of your existing and whatever else you buy. The biggest headache is going to be finding one with the right dimensions to fit your existing space. Find the specs on line and check the dimensions. When I had a look earlier, it mentioned an easily accessible terminal block on the back of your existing oven. You could detach the existing lead and connect that to the back of the new oven if it does not come with one. That's exactly what I did.
-
If the specification of the new oven says the oven uses over 3k watts then it will need a new connection and will not come with the 13amp plug on it. Some of the smaller Neff ovens are 13amp plugs, personally I prefer them to Zanussi. If you get an oven with a grill that can be operated when the cooker element is on it's unlikely to be under 3k watts.
On the Zanussi site under the details tab they give the fuse size for the ovens rated in amps, if it's 13 amp it will be fine for your socket. The socket should be marked cooker according to the latest regs.
stevo_com
Airhead
It will be very easy to see how your oven is connected. If you don't know if it's plugged or hard wired, knock the mains off completely, open the door and there will likely be a screw on either side holding the oven into the unit. Take those out and the oven should pull out easily. It's not that heavy and there are usually handles on the side. The cable should be long enough for you to put it on the floor, if not, have a stool or chair handy. Take a look at the connection and say what you see.
Mine looked like it was hard wired but then I found out that the cable went around the back of the cabinet next to it to a double socket in the back of one of the lower cupboards. Explained some of the labeling on my consumer unit.