Induction Cooktops: Benefits and Electrical Requirements
Induction cooktops are becoming very popular and the go to choice for modern Brisbane kitchens. They’re fast, efficient, and safer than traditional electric or gas cooktops. But in Brisbane a lot of homes are not electrically equipped to handle the extra load that an induction cooktop puts on the system. We see many people buy the new induction cooktop but not realise they need to do some electrical upgrades before it can be installed.
Steps to Prepare Your Home for an Induction Cooktop
If you are wanting to install a new induction cooktop there are a few things to consider. Can your homes exiting electrical system handle the extra load, can you get a dedicated circuit wired from the switchboard to the required location and what will this cost you? In this guide we will provide you some information that will help with your decision regarding an induction cooktop.
Step one – Engage an electrician to check your switchboard & accessibility to run a dedicated circuit for your new induction cooktop
Step two. Get a fixed price quote for the required electrical work so you know the total cost
Step 3. Make sure the electrical company is licensed and has good reviews, keep in mind cheaper quotes may cost you more in the long run. We provide fixed price quotes with guarantees on our workmanship.
Step 4. Choose your electrician and have the work completed. Keep in mind the power will be off for a few hours, this may affect your work if you work from home.
Cost. Dedicated circuit for an induction cooktop will range between $600-$2900 depending on access to run cabling and the design of the house
So, before you rush out and buy that expensive new induction cooktop, here is some useful information to consider.
Why induction cooktops need more power
Induction cooktops can draw up to 40 amps or more, depending on the model. Many switchboards were only designed to handle basic household circuits like lights and PowerPoints, they were not designed to handle additional loads such as Induction cooktops, EV chargers and Air-conditioning units.
If your switchboard hasn’t recently been upgraded or you don’t have a dedicated circuit large enough for your new cooktop;
- You risk tripping your circuit every time the cooktop runs on full power.
- Your circuits may overload, creating potential fire hazards.
- The install might fail electrical compliance in Queensland.
If you are installing an induction cooktop to replace a non induction cooktop you will need a dedicated circuit with the correct amperage size circuit and safety devices (RCD/RCBO) to protect you and your home and allow the cooktop to be used safely.
If your home is old you may also require a switchboard upgrade including the consumer mains cable to be upgraded.
Signs you might need a switchboard upgrade
- Your switchboard uses ceramic fuses or circuit breakers instead of safety switches
- There’s no safety switches on all of your circuits
- You’ve already added other high-demand appliances like air-con or EV chargers.
- Lights flicker, or breakers trip when multiple appliances run at once.
- Your consumer mains is under 10mm cable size
If any of these sound familiar, a licensed electrician should inspect your setup before the cooktop is installed.
Upgrading Your Switchboard for an Induction Cooktop in Brisbane (Costs, Safety, Compliance)
Here’s what we usually do at Sorted Electrical:
- Inspect your existing switchboard and main supply capacity.
- Install a dedicated circuit for the induction cooktop (correct cable size & breaker).
- Upgrade to modern safety switches (RCBOs) if your board doesn’t have them. (See this link for information on the importance of safety switches from the Electrical Safety Office.
- Check earthing, surge protection, and compliance with AS/NZS 3000 wiring rules.
- Provide an Electrical Certificate of Testing and Compliance once complete.
This ensures your kitchen upgrade is safe, legal, and future-proof. All your home circuits will be protected after a complete switchboard upgrade.
How much does it cost?
- At Sorted Electrical we provide tailored quotes for every job as all homes are different.
- If you only need a dedicated circuit and safety switch price varies from $600-$2900 depending on access to run cabling and the design of the house
- Switchboard upgrades depending on complexity, number of circuits , existing consumer mains size can range from $900 to $8900 .
Costs depend on board size, wiring condition, and whether mains capacity upgrades are needed.
