Do I need to use an FCU?

[big-bill3]

I am installing some equipment supported by a UPS in the garage.
(I have a spare way in the fuse box and intend to replace the fuses with breakers)
But my question is - can I connect the connector for the UPS (IEC plug) direct to the fuse board or should I have a FCU in the line? and if so why?

John

 

[andy]

I am installing some equipment supported by a UPS in the garage.
(I have a spare way in the fuse box and intend to replace the fuses with breakers)
But my question is - can I connect the connector for the UPS (IEC plug) direct to the fuse board or should I have a FCU in the line? and if so why?

John

use a 10A breker, altho a SFCU could be useful for local isolation

 

[plugwash]

yeah you can connect it directly, use a 10A breaker as that is the max rating of a normal IEC connector (and make sure you use a IEC lead thats made with suitablly thick flex some are only made with 5A rated flex).

Also make sure the flex is sufficantly restrained, probablly best to use T&E from the CU to a flex outlet plate and wire the iec lead into that.

 

[breezer]

i would install a non swithced fcu, i would also read the UPS instructions, it may require to be fuesd at 3A

my reasoning is if you need to change it you havent got to open CU to get to it, and unless you have either a long iec lead or a low CU its going to be very alkward with a heavy UPS hanging from a short iec lead

 

[andy]

i would install a non swithced fcu, i would also read the UPS instructions, it may require to be fuesd at 3A

my reasoning is if you need to change it you havent got to open CU to get to it, and unless you have either a long iec lead or a low CU its going to be very alkward with a heavy UPS hanging from a short iec lead

most UPS have internal fuses

 

[plugwash]

i would also read the UPS instructions, it may require to be fuesd at 3A

seems pretty unlikely since this kind of kit is usually for international sale (it has a IEC inlet remember) and we are the only country with plug fuses. 3A would also be a pretty damn small UPS.

my reasoning is if you need to change it you havent got to open CU to get to it

hes planning to replace the fuses with breakers which are far more convininant to reset why bother with a redundant fuse that may or may not trip before the breaker.

unless you have either a long iec lead or a low CU its going to be very alkward with a heavy UPS hanging from a short iec lead

using a flex outlet plate as i suggested would solve that issue as well as the cable restraint issue.

 

[big-bill3]

my thanks to all
Cable restraint isn't an issue, but I realise fusing is.
Unless the UPS has an accessible mains fuse the whole thing could go up in smoke because it would be protected only by a 20A fuse or a 10A breaker