Is there a requirement for a radial circuit serving 16A 230V BS EN 60309 Socket Outlet circuits to be served from a 20A circuit protective device or is this just a standard circuit arrangement?

should that not be a 16A mcb?

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Lack of planning on your part doesn't make it an emergency on mine....

Every man has to know his limitations- Dirty Harry

I'd say it was non standard really - as BS EN 60309 outlets are unfused, the circuit protection should reflect the load and the cable size used.

It's the usual problem with putting several of these sockets on a ring or radial.

As Pete says, 16A outlets will normally have 16A protection (even if there is more than one socket) - although you see plenty around wired as 32A RFC's

Regards

OMS

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Failure is always an option

I'm sure some of the older guidance used to mention an unlimited number of 16A BS 4343 (as it was then) on a 20A radial - I can try to dig out a reference if that would help...

(16A sockets for unfused plugs on a 20A radial I think is common enough on the other side of the channel.)

- Andy.

I recall that guidance was subject to a very robust assessment on diversity Andy - either where the loads were actually substantially less than 16A or you had a single 16A load that moved about. Going from memory, wasn't there something in 15th edition appendices on "standard circuits" for industrial outlets (BS 4343)

The general guidance is (for sockets above 16A ie 32A through to 125A) one outlet/one circuit.

Personally, I'd only use a 20A CPD where I had good knowledge of the plugged in loads and the pattern of working or I had adequate circuit CSA in place (and even then we are back to the argument of putting 20A "thro" a 16A terminal)

Regards

OMS

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Failure is always an option

Andy it's still in GN1 p140

Ah, good - I wasn't imagining it then!
- Andy.

"(and even then we are back to the argument of putting 20A "thro" a 16A terminal)"

I know the OP refers to 230 V so, ever so slightly changing the topic, how many 110 V 9" angle grinders have you seen on a 32 A plug? But, having a green "pass" sticker on those fitted with a 16 A plug must mean they're OK

Regards

BAD

One lesson in life I've learnt BOD - never believe anything you see on a PAT label -

OMS

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Failure is always an option

Edited: 15 November 2012 at 06:12 PM by OMS