hi
g/daughter is thinking about trying camping with her friend and we are struggling to understand how camping electrics work.
i have a fitting with a round plug that goes into the site electric meter. this fitting has a plug on it.
could i provide a double adapter and an extension cable and run ordinary electrics off this? similar to a caravan.
You need to run the lead through an IP44 rated enclosure with a 30mA RCD and 16A MCB and then connect this to either an IP44 rated or IP65 rated socket.
If your competent with electrics then it's easy enough to fix to a board, but it's also easy to get wrong if you're not comfortable with electrics so if you've any misgivings, buy a pretty made unit
If you look around you can often get a proper unit for £30. Personally in a tent (and in the home for that matter) unless you know exactly what you are doing leave it to the professionals and buy a proper one
I suspect, from the tone and wording of the OP, that this is a "home made" version, without the appropriate protection, and also that the OP is not "competent with electrics", so I would therefore advise that they purchase the correct item, first and foremost.
...with the appropriate cut-outs. breakers, and waterproof requirements (As you may gather, I too am not "competent with electrics"!).
In short, these are made for the job, and with the socket(s) off the ground, and inside the tent, most of us would say from that point onwards, you would be fine to use domestic extension leads and domestic appliances. Obviously, at this point, you'll need to know what amps you are using, and the capabilities of your equipment (Rule of thumb is usually do not use more than one item with a heating element together, such as kettle, heater, toaster etc).
If you do, and the supply and/or your new EHU unit cannot cope, the built in protection will flick the supply off, and all will need to be re-set, but will remain safe.
I suspect the item described in the OP would more likely result in "some sort of accident", should this "overload" be reached.
If in doubt, find one you think is suitable, and at an acceptable price, then come back here to check you have chosen wisely, before pressing the "Confirm order" button!
As Sergeant Esterhaus used to say... "Hey... Let's be careful out there"!!
Amazing family weekend with old steam engines, classic car displays, market stalls, and full catering and bar. And camping on site - Save £25 by booking in advance.
Topic: Camping Electrics.
