Why induction is in a different league
A gas cooker did not draw any electricity at all, and a "two-burner" electric cooker drew just a few amperes. A modern induction hob with all zones set to maximum can temporarily draw 7 kW and more. For comparison: the typical agreed power capacity of a flat is 4-6 kW. The manufacturer has anticipated this and most hobs can be configured with a power limit - but this is a compromise worth knowing about before purchasing, not after.
What we check before installation
- Kitchen power supply - whether there is a three-phase circuit (typical for newer flats), or only a single-phase one;
- Cross-section and material of cables - in blocks built in the 1960s-1980s, the standard was 2.5 mm² aluminium, which is often insufficient for the full power of the hob and sensitive to loose connections;
- Condition of the junction box behind the old cooker;
- Protective devices in the consumer unit and spare space for a new circuit;
- Agreed power capacity - whether the main fuse will trip after connecting the hob during the first simultaneous start of the hob, oven, and washing machine.
Large-panel system block: the most common scenario
Housing estates such as Podzamcze or Piaskowa Góra in Wałbrzychu, Zawiszów and Osiedle Młodych in Świdnicy or Osiedle Piastowskie in Świebodzicach are now several decades old - and so are their installations, unless they have been modernised. The good news: in most cases, it is possible to connect an induction hob safely. Realistic options:
- existing circuit + configuration of the hob's power limit - the cheapest option, if measurements confirm the good condition of the circuit; the hob cooks normally, it just won't run all zones at once;
- new dedicated circuit from the consumer unit - full power, and a tidy kitchen as a bonus;
- consumer unit modernisation + increasing the agreed power capacity - when the flat is already close to the limit (induction + dishwasher + air conditioner); how this works is described in our guide on increasing connection capacity.
Tenement house: two additional questions
In older buildings, the condition of the internal power supply line (WLZ) and risers must also be considered - even the best new circuit in the flat will not help if the "bottleneck" is the power supply of the entire building. This is a matter for the property manager, and we write about it in more detail in our guide on WLZ and risers. The second question is the protective conductor: some tenement houses still have sockets without earthing, and an induction hob requires it.
Are you buying a hob in a DIY store? We are a service partner of Leroy Merlin Polska - installation ordered in the store is carried out by our electricians, complete with measurements and a guarantee. And if you prefer directly: book a visit online - we will check the circuit before you spend money on the appliance.
