Moved our van up to thirsk end of of last year for change of scenery and have been eagerly awaiting for site to open, had a drive up today to get set up and our hook up lead wasn't long enough,
I have a spare in the front box and I coupled them together and it worked fine both 25 metre cable I probably need 40 metres but is it safe to just connect these 2 and save a few quid?
Not an issue I've had before and with connectors fitting snug not sure if I can get away with it
Thanks in advance
------------- Its great to soar like an eagle ...........but weasels don't get sucked into jet engines
No problem connecting two cables together. However I would try to keep the "join" off the ground. Put it on a brick or something. Just in case it rains heavily and a puddle arrives.
Quote: Originally posted by saxo1 on 03/4/2017
It isn't correct to join 2 cables together,there is a good reason that the regs stipulate the max length for a hookup cable of 25m + or- 2m.
saxo1
My hook up is 40m from my van so a little hampered in that respect
------------- Its great to soar like an eagle ...........but weasels don't get sucked into jet engines
Quote: Originally posted by saxo1 on 03/4/2017
It isn't correct to join 2 cables together,there is a good reason that the regs stipulate the max length for a hookup cable of 25m + or- 2m.
saxo1
BS7671. Used to be called the IEE Wiring Regs for Buildings. There is a section on Caravan Wiring which Saxo correctly says specifies the length of the lead.
A longer lead may affect voltage drop which may affect the correct functioning of equipment and may affect impedance which may affect protection (operation of MCBs etc).
The site should provide you with a hook up point which should not be more than 20 metres from your caravan connection point. Regulation 708.530.3 specifies this.
Two cables joined by a plug and socket are accessible to small children who can stick their fingers in the hole. Not nice.
Quote: Originally posted by Opensauce on 03/4/2017
I've seen foreign caravanners using 50m extension reels as ehu cables. Just use your 2 leads plugged together with join protected against wet.
Agreed, you wouldn't be able to buy the protector if it was illegal.
Seen a few sites where you need to use a 15m + 25m joined.
Thanks again, I have ordered one and am going back this weekend, I shall measure distance again and if need be buy one shorter lead to make distance of juice less
------------- Its great to soar like an eagle ...........but weasels don't get sucked into jet engines
Quote: Originally posted by peter1474 on 03/4/2017
Quote: Originally posted by Opensauce on 03/4/2017
I've seen foreign caravanners using 50m extension reels as ehu cables. Just use your 2 leads plugged together with join protected against wet.
Agreed, you wouldn't be able to buy the protector if it was illegal.
Seen a few sites where you need to use a 15m + 25m joined.
The protectors are just a mechanical protection,they aren't rated against water ingress,the joints are rated at IP 44!
Legality doesn't enter into it they require no more legislation than a plastic bag and they aren't illegal!
The regs state that the EHU post should not be more than 20m from the furthermost point on a pitch,if it is, what other safety regs are they ignoring?
it is a condition of their licence that the electrics are tested and conform to BS 7671.
Just because foreigners do it doesn't make it safe!
I often wonder at the mentality of some caravanners when they insist that tyres be changed at 5 years old,when there is no such rule ,yet are prepared to ignore a regulation formulated by experts in their field to ensure electrical safety.
saxo1
Quote: Originally posted by navver on 03/4/2017
Two cables joined by a plug and socket are accessible to small children who can stick their fingers in the hole. Not nice.
Why would you let your kids play with electric cables? Everybodys fault but the person responsible for them (if it happened). Whats to stop them cutting, chewing or pulling it out of the socket, if they are free to do as they wish - joint or no joint.
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Topic: Electric hook up query (
Topic Closed)
