hi , campers like many of you when looking for a campsite
i would like to know if many of you have seen an increase
regarding hook up cables with built on RCD switch.
Although very new to carravaning i have in my v/short time
scoured what could be hundreds of camp sites & the other day i actually came across 1 site which said hook ups with
RCD & 25METRE. i am all for safety but surely this should be for the industry to Enforce.
Any thoughts guys & gals.
All campsites I have used electric hook-up on have built in circuit breakers in the Electric Bollards I am a bit puzzled by this post? This of course is backed up with breakers in the caravan. Are you not aware this is the standard?
BS7671 specifies that hookup leads should be 25m long plus or minus 2m and that the caravan or tent unit etc should have an RCD. it also stipulates that all new caravans sold should include such a lead.
The label is only stating what thee regulations require so nothing sinister.
If you have a caravan there will most probably be an RCD in the mains unit in your van so that will do.
The industry does generally comply with requirements but sadly there are some individuals who will make up their own leads etc without really knowing or understanding what they are doing.
Maybe the site has had a serious incident caused by an incorrect lead or something similar.
I think the site is simply advising you that some of their pitches may need a 25 metre cable to connect to the nearest bollard, and telling tent* users their lead must have an RCD unit fitted (as above, some may have made up, or even bought, a lead with the usual blue plug at one end and a domestic socket at the other without realising the danger).
* Almost all caravans will have an onboard consumer unit already fitted with RCD and MCBs.
Having ssen some campers drag their plugs through wet grass/puddles and then plut it into the mains bollard first then carry the live and wet plug over to the van an extra RCD maybe worthwhile.
Something that trips at even the smallest fault, but disables when connected to the van to stop it tripping everytime a light is switched on.
It has always worried me that there are many people who haven't got a clue about EHU and what should or shouldn't be used especially in relation to RCD and MCB but also in relation to the wattage and amps.
A mate of mine has just taken up camping again after many years and has been picking my brains as to what he needs. Despite my best efforts he turned up at the campsite with a 3000 watt kettle, and despite my attempts at stopping him using it with warnings about tripping the EHU he went ahead anyway. It actually worked fine with no problems leaving me with egg on my face but I think I have now persuaded him to get something less powerful.
We all have to learn and we keep learning with this camping lark but it amazes me that many people go ahead and buy unsafe leads and powerful domestic appliances without any thought or research.
If you want really bad electrics then try French campsites. You will find ehu boxes held onto posts with elastic & so on. French campers use domestic extension leads left coiled on the drum & domestic fridges left outside but it all seem to work ok except when it rains & the power goes off. 😎
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: hook up cable
