16A Fused Connection Unit

[uksparks]

Hi,

General question here... does anyone know of any particular reason that there's no such thing as a 16A FCU.

 

[Rockingit]

My compressor needs a 16a socket, my mates welder usess a 16A socket, oh and you could plug a caravan in without the need for an adaptor.

Just because they've come fitted with 16A ceeforms, doesn't necessarily mean that they actually draw 16A's, does it?

 

[uksparks]

True, but hey, might as well use it if fitted.

 

[snowhead]

My compressor at home draws way over 13amp on start up especially when it's a cold start up.
Works fine on a 13amp plug.
We won't mention the fuse, apart from it does have one.

 

[Engineer54]

I think i've mentioned this before, in that 15A BS 1362 fuses have been available in many countries, (and for many years) that i've worked in. Now whether they are available, or officially recognised in the UK, is another matter. ....Still not quite 16A though...lol!!

 

[Badged01]

A little bit of cigarette foil around it will soon bump it upto from 15A to 16A .......

 

[Engineer54]

Think some often forget, that the fuse in BS 1362 accessories is only there to protect the wiring/cords connected to the accessory, not the actual equipment itself!!...

 

[Rockingit]

So...if I were to find and place a BS1362 15A fuse into a standard 1362 plugtop, what would be my legal position in terms of BS7671<>EAWR ?? 411.4.5 / 6 suggest it's absolutely fine, but I think you might struggle to prove the point?!

 

[Hawkmoon]

If the appliance you are connecting (welder, whatever) draws anything like 16A then this is not something you should be connecting to a domestic RFC anyway -

16A Radial = no odd fuse sizes = all good.

 

[Engineer54]

So...if I were to find and place a BS1362 15A fuse into a standard 1362 plugtop, what would be my legal position in terms of BS7671<>EAWR ?? 411.4.5 / 6 suggest it's absolutely fine, but I think you might struggle to prove the point?!

Sorry you've lost me, ...what point are you talking about here??

 

[Rockingit]

If the appliance you are connecting (welder, whatever) draws anything like 16A then this is not something you should be connecting to a domestic RFC anyway -

16A Radial = no odd fuse sizes = all good.

Which is what I said in post #28

 

[uksparks]

If the appliance you are connecting (welder, whatever) draws anything like 16A then this is not something you should be connecting to a domestic RFC anyway

Why not? Please explain. Ok it would be ideal to be on its own circuit but nothing wrong with it.

 

[Rockingit]

Sorry you've lost me, ...what point are you talking about here??

What I mean, is that we have that old chestnut where something is permissible by regulations (as in, if a 15A BS1362 exists then it's fine to use subject to the usual conditions) but isn't a widely adopted practice in the UK, that people immediately shout "No!" I guess the limit in practical terms is that most BS1363 makes have a 'max 13A' stamped on them somewhere. If 15A is used elsewhere in the world with BS1363 outlets then that would suggest to me that it's allowable under the Standard?

 

[Rockingit]

Why not? Please explain. Ok it would be ideal to be on its own circuit but nothing wrong with it.

In simple terms because you 'point' load the ring and create an imbalance - the same reason why we put immersion heaters on their own circuit.

 

[Engineer54]

What I mean, is that we have that old chestnut where something is permissible by regulations (as in, if a 15A BS1362 exists then it's fine to use subject to the usual conditions) but isn't a widely adopted practice in the UK, that people immediately shout "No!" I guess the limit in practical terms is that most BS1363 makes have a 'max 13A' stamped on them somewhere. If 15A is used elsewhere in the world with BS1363 outlets then that would suggest to me that it's allowable under the Standard?

OK i see what you mean now. I'm not saying that that these 15A fuses should or even need to be installed within BS 1363 accessories.... just that they are quite freely available outside of the UK where the BS1363 system has been adopted as the main, or part of the main socket outlet and FCU. I'd haven't checked the BS 1363 standard, to see if it allowable or not. I know when it was originally written, only 2 fuse ratings were officially recognised 3A and 13A, yet for years, 1A, 5A, and 10A were freely/widely available. I'm told that's all changed now, as i say i don't know!! lol!!


As for the UK BS 1363 plug top and system being capable of carrying 15A, ...no problem at all!! Just look at the USA's 16A outlets for both 120V or 240V, ..... and the waffer thin plug pins and internal contacts..

 

[NickD]

So...if I were to find and place a BS1362 15A fuse into a standard 1362 plugtop, what would be my legal position in terms of BS7671<>EAWR ??

As my old grandfather of great esteem used to say of hypothetical questions, "If grandma had balls would she be grandpa?"

 

[hillbillie]

In simple terms because you 'point' load the ring and create an imbalance - the same reason why we put immersion heaters on their own circuit.

You are right but I can see how some would assume that as the circuit has a 32A MCB and that BS7671 says it ok to use 2.5mm T&E that there would be no problem in sticking a 16A appliance on it. Another flaw with RFCs

Eventually we'll stop using ring final circuits in this country

 

[NickD]

Eventually we'll stop using ring final circuits in this country

Didn't we only ever bring them in because "There's a war on you know", or is that urban myth?

 

[Guest111]

There was some talk a couple of years back of using 16A sockets in domestic kitchens for things like dishwashers and dryers as they were saying the loadings were getting a bit high for prolonged use on a 13A plug top,I know a few people who have the 16A sockets outside instead of the waterproof 13A sockets,not for loading factors though,they're paranoid about somebody else plugging in if they're away.

 

[Rockingit]

You are right but I can see how some would assume that as the circuit has a 32A MCB and that BS7671 says it ok to use 2.5mm T&E that there would be no problem in sticking a 16A appliance on it. Another flaw with RFCs

Eventually we'll stop using ring final circuits in this country

Given that you can 'infinitely' daisy chain a 20A radial on the same cable.....not sure how misguided that comment is?!