Protection for 5 amp circuit (just curious)

[StephenStephen]

Hi all,

I've a new 5 amp circuit, powering 4 round pin sockets for lights to plug into.
I notice that the plugs have no provision for fuses, is that because this is protecting the circuit in the consumer unit (LIGHTS):

 

[Risteard]

That is not the correct device for that distribution board.

 

[mwatsonxx]

Your 'LIGHTS' circuit is 6 Amps, and yes the breakers function is to protect the circuit cabling. The lamps are effectively self fusing in that when they breakdown (blow) they break the circuit, and electric flow stops.

 

[ericmark]

That is not the correct device for that distribution board.

You really do need to explain with comments like that, I would guess you are referring to the consumer unit being a type tested unit and as such any item fitted must be permitted by the manufacturer so it is unlikely a castlec RCBO would be authorised by MK.

However as far as the 5 amp sockets being protected well they are, both for overload and for earth leakage, as to lamps having internal fuses, yes that was the idea, but I had a 6 watt CFL fail and take out a B16 MCB so seems many don't have internal fuses, at least those from Ikea.

 

[stem]

It's the same as the standard lighting circuit for your fixed ceiling lights. They will be connected to a 6A MCB without any additional fusing.

Lamps that are plugged into 13A sockets supplied via a higher rated MCB (usually 32A) in the consumer unit need a 3A fuse in the plug to protect the cable from the plug to the lamp as it will only have a low current rating.

 

[Iggifer]

No excuse for fitting a Castlec MCB when MK MCBs are one of the easiest to get.

 

[mwatsonxx]

No excuse for fitting a Castlec MCB when MK MCBs are one of the easiest to get.

It's not a MCB, it's an RCD

 

[JohnD]

it looks like a B6 30mA RCBO

 

[JohnW2]

it looks like a B6 30mA RCBO

Your being unnecessarily 'uncertain' - it clearly IS a B6 30mA RCBO!

Ironically, that appears to indicate that the lighting has RCD (RCBO) protection but that the bathroom IR heater doesn't! I suppose that's probably because the 'new lighting circuit' has buried cables that needed RCD protection.

Kind Regards, John

 

[Iggifer]

it looks like a B6 30mA RCBO

So it is, but my point still stands

 

[sparkwright]

Point well made Iggifer - anyone can get an MK RCBO to fit that consumer unit.

 

[ban-all-sheds]

But some people DGAS.