The double oven is an excellent addition to a kitchen and it is typically installed directly into the wall. Due to the high electrical load, a double oven requires a size breaker to ensure that the oven is getting the correct amount of electrical supply.
Follow our guidelines to select the correct size breaker for your double oven.
Double oven breaker size
Generally, a standard double oven for a residential kitchen requires a 30 amp to 50 amp double-pole circuit breaker. However, a large double oven for industrial use can require a 60-amp size breaker. The size breaker for a double oven mainly depends on how much power it draws.
Although the size breaker is a very simple electrical device, it plays a very important role in terms of safety. The size breaker is primarily designed to keep the electrical wires safe from being overheated. It works by interrupting the electricity flow.
If the electricity generated surpasses its limit or experienced a short circuit, the size breaker will shut down the electrical supply to prevent damage to the wiring and appliances and a fire.
The double ovens require a greater electrical supply to operate. Thus, double ovens need a suitable double pole size breaker for higher efficiency and to avoid any problems. It may seem complicated work to do during the installation of a double oven.
Picking the correct size of a circuit breaker in a double oven is very crucial. A double oven requires a much greater electrical load compared to other ovens like a single oven or gas oven.
The size breaker in the double oven work by keeping the appropriate power in the oven so that the oven function properly. Incorrect choice of a size breaker may generate several types of problems with the electrical appliance.
For instance, if an oven contains a size breaker with a lower capacity than required, the size breaker will repeatedly trip while using the oven.
Whereas, if an oven contains a size breaker with a higher capacity than required, the breaker will cause a serious problem like starting an electrical fire.
When selecting a size breaker, you may notice there are two different kinds of size breakers; single pole and double pole size breakers. Most double ovens require a double pole circuit breaker.
Double pole size breakers contain two hot wires that are joined by a single neutral wire. These size breakers usually apply to serve two 120-volt circuits or a single 240-volt circuit.
A typical double oven uses a 40 amp double-pole circuit breaker with copper or aluminum wiring. However, the ideal size of a circuit breaker for a double oven depends on the amp requirements, wire size, and the types of insulation covering the wiring.
According to the guidelines of the National Electrical Code (NEC), 8-gauge wiring carrying 40 amp of electricity 60 degrees Celsius insulation requires up to 40-amp size breaker.
Nowadays, some residential double ovens use 6-gauge sheathed wiring. These sheathed wiring can carry up to 50 amp current, thus, they require the maximum size of circuit breaker which is 60 amp.
How many amps does a double oven require?
Typically, a double oven for residential use requires 30 to 50 amps of current to operate. However, the amps requirements can vary based on the oven size, equipment, and features.
For instance, a large double oven for commercial use can require up to 50 to 60 amps to function.
It is very crucial to know the exact amps requirement for your double oven before plugin it to ensure that your electrical circuit has enough capacity to run the oven. The specific amps requirement for your double oven can be found in the owner’s manual.
If there is a mismatch of amps requirement and electrical supply, you may face several problems including oven tripping, damage, short circuit, and even a fire risk.
If the manual does not provide amps requirements but provided the wattage rating, you can easily calculate the amps requirements by dividing the wattage rating by the voltage of your power source.
Electrical requirements for double wall oven
The double wall oven must be connected with the appropriate electrical voltage and frequency required by the specific oven. Most modern double wall ovens require 240 volts and 50 Hz frequency to work properly.
A typical double wall oven needs to be connected with an individual grounded branch circuit with a suitable size breaker.
A double wall oven usually requires a separate, grounded 4-wire, 240V (AC) circuit and a double pole size breaker of 50-amp size.
The wire sizes and connections used in a double wall oven must comply with the rating of the oven and the requirements of the National Electrical Code apply to your area.
According to the NEC, most double ovens use 8-gauge copper wiring or 6-gauge aluminum wiring. Consequently, a double wall oven generally requires a three-wire, single-phase A.C. line with 240 volts and 50 Hz frequency.
5 factors that determine breaker size for double oven
There are many factors that affect the breaker size. Let’s get to know them.
Voltage Rating:
The voltage rating of a double oven refers to the electrical strength required for the oven to function properly. A typical double oven has a voltage rating of 240 volts.
The voltage rating of a circuit breaker for a double oven must be equal to or higher than the circuit voltage of the oven, but never lower.
Frequency:
Frequency is also an important factor when choosing a size breaker for a double oven.
A typical residential double oven works at 240 volts and 50 zHHz Hz frequency. Size breakers for double oven must be rated at 50 or 60 Hz frequency.
Interrupting Capacity:
Another important factor you must need to consider when selecting a size breaker for a double oven is interrupting capacity or short circuit current rating.
This refers to the maximum short circuit current that the breaker can safely interrupt during a fault condition.
Operating temperature:
The most crucial factor to consider when selecting a size breaker for the double oven is the operating temperature of the oven. A typical double oven temperature can rise to 400–450 °F.
Therefore, the size breaker for a double oven must withstand the operating temperature and function effectively.
Wire size and insulation:
The choice of size breaker for an electrical double oven also depends on the wire size and the type of insulation covering the wiring.
How to choose the breaker size for the double oven?
To choose the right breaker size you need to make sure that you follow the proper process. Let’s check what should be the right process.
Determination of Wattage Requirements:
To select the correct size breaker for your double oven, first you need to find out the wattage requirements of the oven.
You can find out the wattage requirement on the owner’s manual for the double oven.
Determine the Voltage Requirements:
After finding out the wattage requirement, you need to determine the voltage of your power supply.
Typically, most electrical supplies provide 120 to 240 V. But check the voltage of your power supply to avoid any error.
Calculate Amp Requirements:
To calculate the amp requirement for your double oven, divide the wattage requirements of the oven by the voltage of your power supply source.
For instance, the wattage requirement of your oven is 5000 watts, and the voltage of your power supply source is 220 volts.
The amps requirements for your double oven would be 22.7 amps, which is obtained by dividing the 5000 watts by 220 volts.
Select the Size Breaker:
After calculating the amps requirements of your double oven, you need to multiply the amps requirements of your oven by 1.25 to calculate the correct size of circuit breaker required for the double oven.
For example, the amp requirements for your double oven are 22.7 amp. Then you need to multiply the amp requirements 22.7 by 1.25 to determine the correct size breaker for your double oven.
For a double oven with an amp requirement of 22.7, the ideal size of the circuit breaker would be 28 amp.
However, commercially available size breakers are 10-amp, 15-amp, 20 amp, 25 amp, 30 amp, 35 amp, 40 amp, 50 amp, and 60 amp. Thus, the correct size of circuit breaker for your double oven would be 30 amp.
Final Thoughts
As a whole, a double oven for a domestic kitchen usually needs a 30 amp to 50 amp double-pole circuit breaker. A large double oven for commercial usage, on the other hand, may need a 60-amp breaker. The selection of size breakers for a double oven is based on the amount of electricity it consumes.