Choosing the right size cable

[davesparks]

But this doesnt seem practical to me I know I have a water chiller in my workshop that only draws a few amps and is fitted with 2.5mm cable and a 32A plug are you saying that this should be protected with a 20 MCB in the panel ?

Then the water cooler has the wrong plug on it, it would be better on a 16A plug as that is the smallest commonly available size of 3phase plug and socket.
The water cooler would hopefully also have its own protection for the appliance, mcbs are there to protect the cable, not normally the appliances.

 

[contender1]

Then the water cooler has the wrong plug on it, it would be better on a 16A plug as that is the smallest commonly available size of 3phase plug and socket.
The water cooler would hopefully also have its own protection for the appliance, mcbs are there to protect the cable, not normally the appliances.

Ok that makes sense apart from we have have no 16A outlets on the shop floor.
The place is slowly being upgraded a bit at a time but I don't think I will be getting and 16A sockets in the near future.

 

[davesparks]

Ok that makes sense apart from we have have no 16A outlets on the shop floor.
The place is slowly being upgraded a bit at a time but I don't think I will be getting and 16A sockets in the near future.

The fact that you don't have any suitable sockets available doesn't change the regulations or magically make the dangers vanish.
Suitable equipment to safely adapt a 32A outlet down to 16A is available from people such as the rubber box company.

 

[contender1]

The fact that you don't have any suitable sockets available doesn't change the regulations or magically make the dangers vanish.
Suitable equipment to safely adapt a 32A outlet down to 16A is available from people such as the rubber box company.

I appreciate that and your advice hence why im trying to get an better understanding on best practices.
Its just the contradictions I come across which confuse me.
For instance with the 110v equipment like drills and grinders they are sometimes fitted with cable suitable for the load only and not 16A

 

[contender1]

Thanks on the heads up on the rubber box company some really interesting solutions in there I will ask them for prices