OK, what trip switch should I have in the van, I think there is either two or three there but the one for the socket trips if I use the kettle with toaster or microwave or George foreman etc.
Now I can cope with the fact I can't use both at the same time as in my last van it was the same BUT in the last van it would trip the at the hook up point.
Thing is we all make mistakes now and then so it does trip now and then , thing is though when it trips in the van I got to pull up all the cushions,
If I up the trip switch in the van will it just simply trip at hook up point and is there a safe max the trip can be.
The trip switches in the caravan are there for protecting the electrical circuit in case you personally overload it. The trip switch at the EHU point should only trip when too much energy is consumed by several units at the same time. You need to find out what the amp rating of the site is first and then see what kilowatts you are drawing from each appliance you have. Anything electrical such as a light, fan, phone charger or radio will only consumes a small amount of energy but it's appliances that get hot such as an electric kettle, electric grill, an iron or hot plates that you can only only use one at a time.
Generally each circuits in a new caravan is protected by a 10A MCB (Miniature Circuit Breaker), of which there could be up to 3, depending on what the caravan maker has provided.
However, there is also fitted an RCD (Residual Current Device)which is for your protection. It will cut all the power if there is a leakage to earth of more than 30mA, i.e. if you should touch a live wire and earth at the same time. This will save you from being electrocuted.
As each circuit can only deliver 10A, this means max 2.4 kW connected to each circuit. Then depending on the maximum ampere from the EHU, this can be 6, 10, or 16A depending on the site.
It not advisable to change the MCBs as the wiring in the van is designed for 10A only, it becomes a fire risk if more current is used and your insurance could be invalidated.
'Trips' always operate for a particular reason. MCBs trip for a different reason to RCDs. They are designed to.
If you have changed nothing else in your van's electrical system, and you are still connected to the same EHU that you usually are connected to ,AND the site owner has not changed their electrical system, then it seems there may be a fault in your system or with your appliances. (eg because your van system has started tripping).
If you have had your van's electrics serviced recently then it is possible there is a developing fault with your appliances.
If you have not had your electrical system serviced recently , then maybe to do so would be a good idea.
I find that electric kettles are often a likely source of problems.
It has always triped like it since we have been here, I can't see what a service would do though as the electrics aren't serviceable, I will check it over but I believe there is nothing wrong as such because all the appliances work OK separately and it only trips when two higher powered items are used at the same time.
My last van would also do it but it would trip the hook up rather than van .
I agree as we had this problem recently at home when we switched on the kettle so I had to buy a new one which solved the problem.
Having a kettle with a power output of 1.7 kilowatts doesn't help as this kind of power is for domestic use as the majority of campsites have a lower amperage output that's why we use a low voltage kettle for use in the caravan with less than half that amount of power at only 7,500 watts. It may take a little longer to boil but at least we can use other appliances (excluding microwave) and don't have to keep resetting the MCB switches because we are trying to consume too much energy simultaneously. What you have to remember is that at home you can demand power without any problems but whilst on a campsite you have to adapt accordingly and use the electrical resources efficiently.
Quote: Originally posted by lunarvenus on 27/7/2013
It has always triped like it since we have been here, I can't see what a service would do though as the electrics aren't serviceable, I will check it over but I believe there is nothing wrong as such because all the appliances work OK separately and it only trips when two higher powered items are used at the same time.
My last van would also do it but it would trip the hook up rather than van .
Is your microwave built-in? If so, it seems it is connected to the socket circuit, thus meaning that when it is on it limits which other appliances you can use.
In your last van you probably had more separate circuits so could attempt to use say 20 amps, thus tripping at the bollard.
A good rule of thumb, whatever the situation, is to use only one "heating" appliance at a time......kettle, toaster, George Foreman, microwave, hairdrier etc.
I agree as we had this problem recently at home when we switched on the kettle so I had to buy a new one which solved the problem.
Having a kettle with a power output of 1.7 kilowatts doesn't help as this kind of power is for domestic use as the majority of campsites have a lower amperage output that's why we use a low voltage kettle for use in the caravan with less than half that amount of power at only 7,500 watts. It may take a little longer to boil but at least we can use other appliances (excluding microwave) and don't have to keep resetting the MCB switches because we are trying to consume too much energy simultaneously. What you have to remember is that at home you can demand power without any problems but whilst on a campsite you have to adapt accordingly and use the electrical resources efficiently.
Quote: Originally posted by jennifernn on 27/7/2013
Quote: Originally posted by lunarvenus on 27/7/2013It has always triped like it since we have been here, I can't see what a service would do though as the electrics aren't serviceable, I will check it over but I believe there is nothing wrong as such because all the appliances work OK separately and it only trips when two higher powered items are used at the same time.
My last van would also do it but it would trip the hook up rather than van .
Is your microwave built-in? If so, it seems it is connected to the socket circuit, thus meaning that when it is on it limits which other appliances you can use.
In your last van you probably had more separate circuits so could attempt to use say 20 amps, thus tripping at the bollard.
A good rule of thumb, whatever the situation, is to use only one "heating" appliance at a time......kettle, toaster, George Foreman, microwave, hairdrier etc.
Microwave is not built in so on the socket circuit,
As stated earlier we already only use one thing at a time but sometimes forget or someone else turns something on with out realising,
I really wanted to know how my last van would trip out the hook up point but this van trips out the rcd in the van.
Because of this I have to take up all the seat etc to get to it to reset. Much easier to go outside to hook up point if you as me.
So I have three rcds I think, I guess, sockets, water heater and fridge is it ??
I think you just need to keep to what I said.....one heating appliance at a time. Or be VERY sure that what you are using is under 10 amps. Sounds like all your stuff is on one 10 amp circuit.
In our van we have 3 circuits, so we almost do not need to worry what we use. (onbserving the overall 16 amps of course).
Plus we have a gizmo on our Alde heating that cuts out all the heating/hot water use if we go over the rating for the EHU. This leaves us all the 16 amps in the van if we need to use it.
Quote: Originally posted by lunarvenus on 27/7/2013
...... as the electrics aren't serviceable...........
Electrical systems are definitely serviceable.
Each circuit can be tested to ensure continuity and good insulation and RCDs can be readily checked with the correct equipment to ensure operating within design parameters.
Individual appliances can also be checked (PAT - portable appliance testing).
Testing can/should also cover a variety of other factors.
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Topic: trip switch ??
