What's the correct connection for an electric cooktop?
Check what the right connector is in 7 steps
To know if you have the correct connection for an electric cooktop, it's important to follow the 7 steps below.
- Step 1: check which socket you have in your kitchen
- Step 2: measure the number of phases with a multimeter
- Step 3: check the fuse box to see if you have a double-pole breaker
- Step 4: check the fuse box to see if you have high-voltage power
- Step 5: have the Perilex connector installed
- Step 6: adjust the connector in the fuse box
- Step 7: choose an electric cooktop on 1 phase
Step 1: check which socket you have in your kitchen
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Option 1: 2-pole (Schuko-Gardy)
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Option 2: 5-pole (Perilex)
To decide whether you have the right connector for a ceramic cooktop or induction cooktop, you first check the sockets in your kitchen. There are 2 types of sockets:
- 2-pin Schuko-/Gardy socket (2 openings)
- 5-pin Perilex socket (5 openings)
Do you have a 5-pin Perilex socket in your kitchen? Go on with step 2. Do you only have 2-pin sockets? Go on with step 6 and 5.
Step 2: determine the phase number of phases with a multimeter
Do you have a Perilex socket in your kitchen? Then you'll need to know what power phase it is. It's easiest to determine the phase with a multimeter. Read how to do that in the following article. After this, you can skip steps 3 and 4. Don't have a multimeter? No problem. We'll determine the phase based on your fuse box. You can read how to do that in steps 3 and 4.
Step 3: check your fuse box for a double-pole breaker
If you want to determine the phase based on the fuse box, you look for a double-pole breaker in the fuse box. A double-pole breaker is 1 breaker that consists of 2 connected breakers. To clarify, these are 2 blocks that are connected and share a single lever. Check your fuse box. Do you see a double-pole breaker? Then the Perilex socket provides 2-phase power. Choose an electric cooktop suitable for 2-phase power. If you don't have a double-pole breaker, continue to step 4.
Step 4: check your fuse box for high-voltage power
If you don't have a double-pole breaker, but you do have a Perilex socket in your kitchen, then you have high-voltage power. You can recognize high-voltage power by the large cooker circuit that consists of 4 connected breakers. The multi-pole breaker has a single shared handle. Check your fuse box. Does it have a large cooker circuit that seems to consist of 4 breakers, but with just 1 long handle? Then you have high-voltage power. You can purchase both a 2 and 3-phase electric cooktop.
Step 5: have the Perilex connected
Most electric cooktops use 2 or 3-phase power. Because of their high minimum power supply, these ceramic or induction cooktops don't work with a regular connector. Instead, they use a Perilex connector. You always have to purchase this separately. The connector isn't connected to the cooktop, because the wiring is different for each power socket. Don't have any experience when it comes to working with electricity? Have a qualified electrician do this for you.
Step 6: adjust the connector in the fuse box
You don't just need a different socket for a 2 or 3-phase cooktop. Your fuse box also needs to be suitable. Don't have the right connection? Call an electrician to make your fuse box suitable for a 2 or 3-phase cooktop. How much this costs will depend on your situation. You can have your socket converted to a Perilex connection at the same time.
Step 7: choose a cooktop on 1 phase
Don't you want to rebuild your fuse box, but still want to cook on electricity? Choose a 1-phase induction cooktop. That's suitable for a regular 2-pin socket, so it's a good choice when you switch from gas to electricity. Keep in mind that the cooktop is less powerful than electric cooktops for 2 or 3 phases. This way, you can't use the boost function for all cooking zones at the same time. These models also don't have flexible cooking zones or large cooking zones.
