Choosing best rating circuit breaker to protect 16A commando socket

I was installing a 16A commando socket today which I protected with a 30mA rcd followed by a 16A MCB.

Other breakers nearby were not heavily loaded so derating was not an issue. But if I say wanted to connect to a heavily loaded consumer unit my initial reaction would be to put in something like a 20A breaker and suitable cable.
But then I thought the socket and plugs are not fused and I have no control over the cable connected to the socket. Therefore do I have to assume I am protecting a cable that is only rated at 16A and never use a breaker with a rating that exceeds this?

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0 Stephane English 29 days ago

Follow-on question: If I've got a fixed 230:110V transformer feeding a 16A tool socket, am I right in thinking the MCB feeding the transformer will need to be rated at about 8A?
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0 mapj1 29 days ago in reply to Stephane English

yes, transformer action means that as voltage rises by the turns ratio the current falls. but actually, you will want rather more than that to handle the inrush. so it may need to be C or even D type ane probably 10 amps or more.
Mike.
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0 mapj1 29 days ago in reply to Stephane English

yes, transformer action means that as voltage rises by the turns ratio the current falls. but actually, you will want rather more than that to handle the inrush. so it may need to be C or even D type ane probably 10 amps or more.
Mike.
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Choosing best rating circuit breaker to protect 16A commando socket

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