The Australian Standards For Electric Oven Wiring

Why Do We Need Standards?

Australian standards are in place to ensure that products and services perform safely and reliably the way they’re intended to.

Some standards are voluntary, and some are mandatory. On 1st January 2019, AS/NZS 3000:2018 (The Australian/New Zealand wiring rules) became compulsory. Any electrical services not provided under this standard result in harsh penalties of up to $500,000.

Standard AS/NZS 3000:2018

The Australian/New Zealand wiring rules cover the installation of electric oven wiring. The standard is in place to set the minimum regulatory requirements for a safe electrical installation. Because this type of installation falls under the standard, it cannot be installed as a DIY project, and you need to hire a licensed professional like North Shore Electricians. 

A further requirement of standard AS/NZS 3000:2018 is that a certificate of compliance for electrical work (CCEW) must be issued after the installation. This document must be provided to the customer’s energy provider and the Department of Fair Trading in NSW.

What’s Involved in Installing an Electric Oven

Electric oven installations are complicated as several factors need to be considered. Here’s a look at our approach to installing an electric oven.

Plug-in Electric Ovens

Some electric ovens can be plugged into a power point and operated that way. As simple as that sounds, as electric ovens have higher power requirements, they require a 220-volt outlet, which is more than most standard sockets. 

Even this type of installation is best left to professionals rather than handled alone.

Hardwiring an Electric Oven

If the electric oven has a rating over 3kw, it must be hardwired.  Even if it falls below, hardwiring is a sensible option as it’s a more stable connection. The oven is directly installed in the building, and it’s connected to its own dedicated circuit.

Safety Switches, RCDs, and Circuits

An electric oven must be connected to a safety switch or RCD. This necessity is to ensure that if there is a power surge, then electricity to the oven is cut off, preventing a shock.

These safety switches and circuits are located in the main switchboard at the property. New safety switches and circuits must be connected to the electric oven if the switchboard is ever upgraded.

An arc fault protection device must be installed in the switchboard to help prevent an electrical fire. 

Isolation Switch

The isolation switch is the final piece of equipment that needs to be installed with an electric oven. This device allows an electrician to safely switch off all the power to the oven so any alterations or repairs can be made. 

Electric vs Gas – What’s Better?

A massive decision that needs to be made when choosing an oven is to install an electric or a gas one. Here’s a brief look at the pros and cons of each:

Electric Oven Pros and Cons

Positives	Negatives
Aesthetics – most electric ovens are designed with modern kitchens in mind, providing a device that fits seamlessly into every space.	Slow – electric ovens cook slower than gas ones and take longer to heat up initially.
Simplicity – electric ovens are easy to use and require very little in the way of an instruction manual.	No power, no use – the oven is rendered useless if there’s a brownout or other power shortage in the area.
Inexpensive to install – initially, installing an electric oven is much cheaper than installing a gas oven. The item itself is considerably less expensive.

Gas Oven Pros and Cons

Positives	Negatives
Cooking quality – gas ovens provide an even heat, meaning the process is faster and more effective.	Potential for danger – gas can be unstable at times, and there is a risk of a gas canister exploding if it’s not appropriately contained.  Gas leaks are common and can cause serious health concerns if inhaled.
Cost-effective long term – after the initial upfront cost, gas ovens use fewer natural resources, resulting in huge power bill savings.	Upfront cost – initially, a gas oven is expensive to install as the unit itself is costly, and the labour charges are high.

Electric Oven Wiring in Australia

Due to Australian standard AS/NZS 3000:2018 conditions, only a licensed electrician can install an electric oven. 

North Shore Electricians have been installing ovens in Sydney for over 20 years, and we know what we’re doing.  

In that time, we’ve seen numerous changes made to the wiring colour codes, among other adjustments in regulations. We’re up-to-date with the current standard and will provide the EECW upon completion.

Contact North Shore Electricians right now to install your new electric oven today and ensure it meets Australian standards.