20amp FCU or higher?

[JohnW2]

Made for a country which lacks our wonderful 13A plugs and 240v (actual) supply.

Yes, but even if it were made for the UK, it obviously could not be supplied via a 13A plug, so that issue is a bit of a red herring.

I suppose the answer is that they are thinking only in terms of 15/16A and 30/32A supplies (nothing in-between) - so since 16A is not enough, they specify a 30A supply.

Kind Regards, John

 

[ban-all-sheds]

Why not say "a supply of at least 20A"?

 

[JohnW2]

Why not say "a supply of at least 20A"?

Exactly my point!

Kind Regards, John

 

[ericmark]

As said although traditionally in this country we have used 20A fused isolators most countries seem to work on the 6, 16, 32, 63, and 125 amp supplies. The main point is cable Reference Method 100 jumps from 2.5 mm² at 20A to 6 mm² at 32A so not only do you require a larger MCB but also a larger cable.

At 20A with 2.5 mm² looking at 30 meters before there is a volt drop issue. I think personally in a house, I would use a 20A MCB and 2.5 mm² cable as it is unlikely I would ever replace it with another non standard unit. However in a commercial premises then 6 mm² cable and 32A MCB with a 20A fused isolator next to the unit. As commercial premises may replace in the future with a larger machine or swap machines around. Well in fact more likely some thing like this

be it a MCB or a RCD these units allow local fitting of the protection device. I will guess the isolator also links to the plug so you can't unplug without isolating as otherwise no point in having the isolator.