What is the common amperage of a circuit breaker in Europe for a standard wall outlet in a home or office?

Answer 1

In the UK and Eire (Republic of Ireland) a wall socket outlet would normally be on a ring main. The fuse or, in modern installations, a Miniature Circuit Breaker (MCB), would be 30A or 32A for the ring. All plugs are fused - and should be of an amperage appropriate for the appliance and its flex - 13A, 5A, 3A and 1A sizes are available - but commonly the 13A size is used anyway, in error/ignorance.

The rest of Europe uses branch circuits protected by individual fuses or, in modern installations, Miniature Circuit Breakers (MCB), of an appropriate size to protect the circuit and its intended load(s).

<><><> The correct answer to your question will depend entirely on the location in Europe.

Answers depend on the Wiring Regulations for the locality (Town/County/Country) and what they say about the locations where wall socket outlets and fixed electrical appliances are to be installed. In some countries - not the UK and Eire where very different rules about socket outlets apply solely to bathrooms - protection using a GFCI/RCD is needed if the location is subject to water splashes, water spray, dampness or humidity. That applies to any room supplied with running water pipes, like a kitchen, laundry room, bathroom, shower room, etc., or in a workshop, garage or anywhere outside a building in the open air, such as along an outside wall or a pool-side area. In many places nowadays it is actually illegal to attempt to do any kind of electrical installation or repair work in such areas unless you are already a licensed electrician.

Electricity is far too dangerous to handle if you have not been trained how to electrical installation or repair work in safe manner which recognizes the hazards involved and how to avoid them. You could start a house fire if you use the wrong size and type of breaker and/or the wrong size and type of cable for the job. You - or another user of the equipment - could risk being killed by electrocution if you put just one wire in the wrong place.

If you get any other answer here, you might attempt to do something you shouldn't be doing, and that may cost someone a shock, a home fire, or even their life.

<><><> As always, if you are in doubt about what to do, the best advice anyone should give you is to call a licensed electrician to advise what work is needed. Before you do any work yourself,

on electrical circuits, equipment or appliances,

always use a test meter to ensure the circuit is, in fact, de-energized.

IF YOU ARE NOT ALREADY SURE YOU CAN DO THIS JOB

SAFELY AND COMPETENTLY

REFER THIS WORK TO QUALIFIED PROFESSIONALS.