Cooker switch problem

2qk4u

My cooker switch on the wall has melted where one of the wires connects to it, the wire has melted too. This is the second switch to go this way. Do I need an electrician to check if there is a problem ? or is it just caused by damp ?

cast_iron

It's unlikely to be dampness as the main cause, but it may well be contributing. It may well be a combination of a cheap switch and badly installed switch giving rise to excessive sparking at the contacts. An electrician would be highly advised, especially in light of the fact that the cable is also melted. The cable may well need replacing.

2qk4u

So the switch might be the problem ? just cant take the power ? How will I know what switch to buy ?

cast_iron

2qk4u wrote: »

So the switch might be the problem ? just cant take the power ? How will I know what switch to buy ?

It's highly unlikely to be the fault of the switch only. After the electric shower, the cooker is draws the most amount of current in the house, and therefore one of the most dangerous and not a simple DIY change the switch job. Considering 2 switches have gone the same way, they may well have been poorly installed leading to sparking/melting. Like I said, and electrician is highly advised in this case.

Buford T Justice

I agree with the Electrician suggestion. The switch most likely is under-rated for the load that crosses it, hence the damage, plus there could also be something else taken off the cable, like an extractor fan causing a problem. If the cable shield has melted, then it will need to be replaced too.

maxfresh

id say the problem was the connection was not tight enough when the switch was installed and the is a big enough load on a cooker causing it to arc (spark). the correct switch to use is a 45 amp double pole switch you will get one of these in any electrical wholesalers the cable might need to be replaced if the cable is damaged and there is not any slack to strip back the wire.