Amica oven and hob not working – no power, both dead, supply fault diagnosis
User question
Amica oven won't turn on and no hob working either
Artificial Intelligence Response
Direct answer to the question
- If both the Amica oven and the hob are completely dead, the fault is almost certainly in the incoming supply path (breaker/isolator/receptacle/cable/terminal block), not an internal oven-only part.
- First, check and fully reset the dedicated range/cooker breaker. Then verify the cooker isolation switch (if fitted) and the range receptacle/connection and cord. The next most common fault is a burned/loose connection at the appliance terminal block.
Key points
- Dual failure (oven + hob) = loss of common supply.
- Check: breaker/RCD-GFCI/AFCI → wall isolator (UK/EU) or receptacle (US) → range cord → appliance terminal block.
- Do not continue resetting a breaker that immediately trips; isolate and have it inspected.
Detailed problem analysis
- Why both are out: The oven and hob share the same mains feed. Internal components (elements, thermostats, sensors) are on branches; a failure there rarely kills both simultaneously. A supply interruption or high‑resistance connection upstream of the split point will.
- Regional wiring specifics:
- United States (typical Amica imports or similar ranges): 120/240 V split‑phase on a 2‑pole 40–50 A breaker to a NEMA 14‑50 (4‑wire) or hardwired whip. Loss of one hot leg can produce odd symptoms; loss of both hots or neutral typically leaves the unit dead.
- UK/EU: 230 V single‑phase on a 32–45 A circuit via a cooker control unit (often with neon indicator) and a cooker connection plate. Loose/high‑resistance terminations are common failure points.
- Most likely fault locations (highest to lower likelihood):
1) Tripped/open 2‑pole range/cooker breaker or upstream RCD/GFCI/AFCI.
2) Failed/turned‑off cooker isolation switch (UK/EU) or defective range receptacle (US).
3) Burned/loose terminal at the appliance connection block (rear of cooker) or behind the wall isolator/connection plate.
4) Damaged range cord/hardwire whip (heat or movement fatigue).
5) Open neutral in the supply path.
6) Internal mains filter/thermal cut‑out/wiring harness failure (least common for a total blackout).
- What each symptom suggests:
- No display/lamps and no hob: upstream supply is off/open (breaker/isolator/plug/terminal block).
- Display is on but no heat anywhere: missing leg (US), clock not set (some models inhibit heating if time not set), or thermal cut‑out opened.
- Gas hob present and its igniters also dead: shared 120/230 V feed is missing (look for tripped GFCI/RCD protecting the outlet feeding the ignition module).
Current information and trends
- Modern installations increasingly use GFCI and/or AFCI protection for large appliances depending on local code. A nuisance trip or a dual‑function breaker trip can mimic a dead range even when the main 2‑pole breaker looks “on.” Check both devices if present.
- Many electronic ovens will not energize elements unless the clock/time is set after a power loss. If the display is lit but flashing, set the time before further diagnosis.
Supporting explanations and details
- Safe reset of protection devices:
- Range/cooker breaker: switch each pole firmly OFF, then ON. Some breakers appear “on” after tripping; a full off→on cycle is required.
- If it trips immediately: suspect a shorted cord, melted terminal block, or internal short—leave OFF and call a professional.
- Quick external checks you can do without tools:
- US: Does any part of the control panel light up? If completely dark, test a known‑working 120 V outlet nearby for power (to check for a broader outage). If the panel lights but no heat, suspect loss of one hot leg.
- UK/EU: Is the red cooker switch on? Is its neon indicator lit? Neon off with switch on points upstream; neon on but cooker dead points to the connection cable/terminal block/appliance.
- Multimeter checks (only if you’re competent; power is lethal):
- US receptacle (power ON, extreme caution): L1–L2 ≈ 240 V; L1–N ≈ 120 V; L2–N ≈ 120 V. If L1–L2 is 0 V or one hot to neutral is 0 V, you’ve lost a leg. If neutral is open, you may read erratic voltages.
- UK/EU connection (power ON): L–N ≈ 230 V. No voltage = upstream fault; voltage present here but unit dead = appliance side fault.
- Appliance terminal block (power OFF to open, then power ON to measure): Confirm tight, undamaged terminations. Discoloration, charring, or melted plastic indicates a high‑resistance joint—replace the block, cut back to bright copper, and re‑terminate.
- Internal safety parts (less likely to kill both oven and hob):
- Thermal cut‑outs and cavity stats usually affect oven heat only; a wide blackout points elsewhere.
- Mains interference filter (EMI/RFI) at the entry can fail open; check continuity if supply reaches the appliance.
Ethical and legal aspects
- Electrical work must comply with local codes (NEC in the US; BS 7671 in the UK; national standards in EU). Work inside fixed wiring or on high‑current cooker circuits should be performed by a qualified electrician. Do not bypass safety devices (RCD/GFCI/AFCI, thermal cut‑outs).
Practical guidelines
- Step-by-step checklist:
1) Identify your setup: country, electric vs gas hob, model number/serial.
2) At the panel: fully reset the 2‑pole cooker/range breaker; also reset any GFCI/AFCI or RCD that may protect the circuit.
3) Verify wall isolator (UK/EU): switch ON; check indicator. If indicator dark → call an electrician to inspect upstream wiring. If lit → proceed.
4) Inspect cord/receptacle (US) or connection plate (UK/EU): with power OFF, pull the cooker out carefully, look for heat damage, looseness, or odor of burning.
5) Inspect the appliance terminal block: power OFF, open cover, check tightness and condition. Repair/replace if heat damage is present.
6) If supply is proven present at the appliance and the unit is still dead: contact an appliance engineer—likely internal mains distribution, EMI filter, or control board feed.
- Tools: flashlight, insulated screwdriver, multimeter (CAT III rated), PPE (gloves/eye protection), phone/camera to document wiring.
Potential challenges and how to overcome them
- Heavy appliance movement: protect flooring and avoid straining the supply cable; have a second person assist.
- Intermittent neutral faults: may pass a quick test but fail under load; perform a load test or inspect for heat damage to confirm.
Possible disclaimers or additional notes
- If you smell burning or see melted insulation/soot, keep the breaker OFF and call a professional.
- Some Amica models will not heat until the clock is set after a power interruption; if the display is alive but flashing, set the time and retest.
Suggestions for further research
- Provide your exact model number and whether the hob is electric or gas, plus your country. With that, I can supply terminal block layout, expected sensor values, and part numbers for replacement blocks/cords.
- If available, the service/installation manual for your specific model includes wiring diagrams and torque specs for terminals.
Brief summary
- A dead Amica oven and hob almost always means a supply-side problem. Start at the breaker (and any GFCI/AFCI/RCD), then the wall isolator/receptacle, then the range cord and the appliance terminal block. Repair any heat‑damaged or loose connections and only proceed with live measurements if you are qualified. If full voltage reaches the appliance and it remains dead, the issue is internal to the cooker and needs a professional.
If you can tell me your country, whether the hob is electric or gas, and the model number, I’ll tailor the next diagnostic steps and measurement points for your exact unit.
Disclaimer: The responses provided by artificial intelligence (language model) may be inaccurate and misleading. Elektroda is not responsible for the accuracy, reliability, or completeness of the presented information. All responses should be verified by the user.