When your oven starts acting up, it’s tempting to assume it just needs a new element, a quick reset, or a call to the manufacturer. But not every issue is about the appliance itself—sometimes the electrical system behind the oven is telling you it’s time for a change.
At Kenner Electrics, we specialise in the safe electrical installation, replacement, and inspection of electric ovens across Melbourne’s eastern suburbs. And over the years, we’ve seen plenty of cases where the oven wasn’t the only thing showing signs of age—the wiring, cabling, or switchboard behind it needed attention too.
Here’s how to recognise when your oven needs replacing and when it’s time to call a licensed electrician.
1. Your Oven Keeps Tripping the Circuit Breaker
If your oven is regularly tripping your circuit breaker or safety switch, that’s one of the clearest signs there’s an underlying electrical issue. This could be:
- An overloaded circuit that’s trying to power more than it should
- A fault in the oven itself, causing current leakage
- Old or damaged wiring that can no longer safely carry the load
In many homes, especially those with older switchboards, the oven shares a circuit with other kitchen appliances. This wasn’t such a problem 20 years ago, when ovens used less power.
But today’s units demand more, particularly those with fan-forced heating, digital displays, or steam functionality.
At Kenner Electrics, we’ll investigate the cause of the fault and let you know whether the oven needs to be replaced or if the issue lies in the circuit supplying it.
2. The Oven is Hardwired—and So Is the Problem
Many older ovens were hardwired directly into the wall, and while this used to be common practice, some of these connections are now non-compliant with today’s standards.
Here’s what we often see in the field:
- Cables with deteriorated insulation
- Junction boxes installed without proper enclosures
- Terminations that have become loose over time
If your current oven is hardwired and you’re planning to replace it, this is the perfect time to have Kenner Electrics assess the existing cabling.
In some cases, the wiring may still be serviceable—but if it’s aged, undersized or non-compliant, we’ll recommend running new cabling with the appropriate protections in place.
3. Visible Damage or Burning at the Outlet or Wall
If you ever notice discolouration, charring, or a burning smell around the power point your oven plugs into—or at the wall plate for a hardwired unit—turn the power off at the switchboard immediately.
These are serious warning signs of:
- Overheating at the terminals
- Loose connections create electrical arcing
- A melting or failing socket
Unfortunately, this kind of heat damage doesn’t fix itself. Even if the oven still “works,” the risk of fire or electric shock is real.
Kenner Electrics can safely disconnect the oven, test the wiring, and install a new outlet or rewire the circuit as required. If the damage is extensive or the oven has contributed to the fault, a full replacement may be the safest option.
4. Your Switchboard Isn’t Up to the Task
Even if your oven seems fine, it’s worth asking: can your switchboard support it? Older switchboards that haven’t been updated in decades might still use:
- Ceramic fuses
- Lack of RCD protection
- No room for new circuit breakers
If your switchboard looks like a relic from the ‘80s, it probably isn’t up to the demands of a modern 2200-watt electric oven.
Kenner Electrics can carry out a switchboard upgrade at the same time as your oven replacement, ensuring your home stays compliant, protected, and future-ready. It’s also a great opportunity to add safety switches to other circuits in the home, especially those in wet areas like kitchens and laundries.
5. You've Upgraded Your Kitchen—But Not the Oven Circuit
Renovating your kitchen? Don’t forget that upgrading cabinetry, flooring, or benchtops won’t magically fix outdated wiring.
New ovens often come with digital controls, steam-cleaning functions, and precision cooking settings that draw more power than older models. Just because your last oven “worked” doesn’t mean the circuit was ideal.
Here’s where Kenner Electrics steps in—we’ll:
- Check the current draw of your new oven
- Inspect the condition of the existing circuit
- Install new wiring, an isolation switch, or a dedicated breaker if needed
Kitchen upgrades are a great time to future-proof your electricals. Don’t wait until the new oven causes issues—get ahead of them.
6. You've Been Told "It Needs to Be Hardwired"—But You're Not Sure Why
This one comes up a lot. You’ve just unboxed your new oven, only to find it doesn’t have a plug. The manual says it must be “hardwired by a licensed electrician.” But what does that really mean?
- Hardwired ovens don’t plug into a power point—they connect directly to the electrical supply
- This requires correct cable sizing, a wall plate, a junction box, and compliant terminations
- A Certificate of Electrical Safety is required in Victoria for any fixed-wired appliance
If your previous oven was plug-in and your new one isn’t, give us a call. Kenner Electrics can assess whether your current setup can support the change and carry out the hardwiring process from start to finish.
7. No Certificate of Electrical Safety from the Last Install
In Victoria, any fixed electrical installation—like a hardwired oven—must be carried out by a licensed electrician and come with a Certificate of Electrical Safety (COES).
If your last installation didn’t include one, that’s a red flag. It could mean:
- The oven wasn’t installed to current standards
- The wiring may not be protected correctly
- You’re at greater risk of insurance issues or failed compliance checks
Kenner Electrics always provides a COES for oven installations. If you’re not sure whether your oven is compliant, we can inspect the setup and issue a certificate or recommend upgrades if needed.
8. The Oven's Getting Older—and So is the Wiring
It’s easy to forget that ovens are fixed appliances, and like any other long-term installation, the wiring behind them can degrade over time.
If your oven is 15+ years old, here’s what may be hiding behind the scenes:
- Brittle or cracked cable insulation
- Corroded terminals
- Non-compliant or outdated cable types
Even if the oven still works, the supply cable might not be up to the task anymore. Kenner Electrics offers pre-replacement inspections to help you plan a safe transition to a new unit—before anything goes wrong.
Don’t Wait for a Total Failure
Your oven might not give out all at once. Instead, you might notice:
- Slower preheating times
- A persistent smell of heat or plastic
- Flickering lights when the oven runs
- Warm or buzzing power points
These aren’t just appliance issues—they’re electrical warnings.
At Kenner Electrics, we don’t just “hook up” your new oven. We inspect, test, protect and certify every installation so that your kitchen remains a safe and compliant space for years to come.
Need Help Replacing an Electric Oven? Call Kenner Electrics
If you're seeing any of the signs above, or you’re ready to upgrade to a new oven but not sure what’s required, get in touch with Kenner Electrics. We’ll assess your current setup, confirm what’s needed, and provide a stress-free, fully certified installation.
Services we offer:
- Pre-installation inspections
- Hardwiring and isolation switch installs
- Switchboard upgrades
- Testing and certification
- Safe disconnection and removal of old ovens
Avoid costly mistakes and dangerous shortcuts. Let Kenner Electrics handle the electrical side of your oven replacement—safely, legally, and professionally.
