[Closed] Another elecrtickery question - campsite electric hookups again

I've got one with and RCD built in. Some camp sites have an outlet with an RCD for each pitch but most I have been to don't. There is probably an RCD that goes to a number of pitches so when yours blows everyone else will be in the dark to.
Damp and moisture are also a problem in a tent.

I tried to answer this, but just ended up confusing myself, so instead I'll go all Daily Mail and say too much safety is better than not enough.

http://singletrackworld.com/forum/topic/camping-questions-electric-hook-up-and-electric-cool-box-questions

An RCD will provide most protection closest to your end.

Yeah good point muddy - I can see that benefit.

Thing is, despite several calls to the campsite to try to get them to answer some specific questions, they can't answer and then not making the follow up calls they promised so I am inclined to allow my lack of local RDC plunge their campsite into darkness.

8)

Cripes - that link to my earlier thread shows how crap my memory is - I had totally forgotten about it 😕

I built one using a completely sealed socket with built in RCD's. Cost more than the one that Go-Outdoors do but I liked the fact that even with something plugged in, the whole thing is totally enclosed & waterproof. For the cable I used a std Caravan Hook-Up cable.

Probably cost me £60 though, but I wanted something safe.

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Right, given that an IP66 socket is about £60 ( 😮 ) , would one of these - http://www.argos.co.uk/static/Search/searchTerms/RCD.htm - at my end, then plugged into a normal domestic 4-way gang be okay?

campsites are looking for a unit with integrated RCD, ie the user cant get power through any 240v outlet in their (tent/van/campervan) without it being protected by their own RCD, so your plug in seperate RCD will potentially be disliked (if seen by campsite bod).
Go outdoors do a combined 3 or 4 way RCD socket combo with 10 / 25m lead ready to go this will be accepted on Caravan Club and Camping & Caravan Clb sites anything less may give you problems.

Make sure any lead is 3 core 2.5mm2 cable, some cheaper cables are only 1.5mmsq cable which has a max rating of only 16a (some campsites can provide 16a continous prior to tripping the overload out) you dont want your cable overheating if colied before the power trips. 2.5mm Sq cable is rated at 20amp continuous and if your lead is 25m will suffer less volt drop also...

as for campsite owner having no idea on electric regs.. not surprised, last week campsite bod mowed through my cable (when powered) and has bought me a replacement that has 1.5mmSq cores that doesnt even meet UK regs or the regs on their own (camping & caravanning club) website.
2 phone calls today to customer services has got me as far as, "im afraid i dont have the authority to reimburse your for the correct lead you have bought yourself and dont understand why the one we sent you is no good" ???

I bought a single socket RCD hook up from my local caravan place. It had a very short lead, but it made it cheaper. Was about £25 IIRC. Then you could plug a standard 4 gang into it.

Or there is this [url= http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/4-Way-RCD-Trip-Mains-Power-Lead-Surge-Extension-Cable-/400205186693#ht_2966wt_1206 ](ebay lnk - not mine)[/url]

Are those (as in your Ebay link mrlugz) as good as the expensive ones?

I cant vouch for them personally unfortunately.

I have found the one I bought though

[url= http://www.caravanaccessoryshop.co.uk/product/mobile-mains-unit-1-plug/594 ]link[/url]

and can vouch for it as a well made piece of kit.

Heh - just rang my local electrical wholesalers and asked him if he had one...

'What do you want that for? The campsite will have to have RCDs on their circuit to get past inspection. Nah, don't waste your money'.

❓

Some campsites I have been on have a local RCD that you have access to, some haven't. I have had the unfortunate experience of tripping the campsite supply, requiring the night warden to be roused to re-instate it. To say he wasn't best pleased would e an understatement. 😳

http://www.screwfix.com/p/nexus-2g-13a-rcd-switched-socket/91095?_requestid=1564662

Going by your previous comments the campsite ain't got a clue what they have! Personally I have a bog standard 13A metalclad socket attached to a 2.5mm flex and keep it up from the ground(we were in Dorset this year during the heavy rain and no one died).

The above link would be a good solution though, might get one for myself.

Ideally you should probably have a socket with 10mA trip on it to avoid nuisance triping back along the circuit, but they are rarer than hen's teeth!

my go outdoors hookup with rcd was 34 quid. v long cable too.

+1 what toys19 said

I use one of these

http://www.campingandleisure.co.uk/acatalog/kampa-pitch-power-mono-mains-supply-me0414.html

Well mine has cost me £10 to make up so far - 10m of 16A 'Arctic' flex coupled to an IP44 socket one end and a 4-way gang at the other. Really loathe to spend any more as it most likely will be the one and only camping trip we ever make - we are borrowing all the other kit but the person we have borrowed from doesn't have the hook up.

If I was likely to do a load more camping I would probably get one.

I would refer you to BS 7671- IET Wiring regulations, 17th Edition. Section 708, Pg 223. Electrical installations in caravan / camping parks & similar locations. If you haven't read this and understood it, then you shouldn't be making leads for use outdoors use in such locations. But what would i know, i'm only an electrician 😀

Heh - just rang my local electrical wholesalers and asked him if he had one...
'What do you want that for? The campsite will have to have RCDs on their circuit to get past inspection. Nah, don't waste your money'.

Guys who work in Wholesalers aren't necessarily going to be qualified electricians.

Just like guys who work on the Car parts desk at Halfords aren't mechanics.

Guys who work in Wholesalers aren't necessarily going to be qualified electricians.

😉

If you haven't read this and understood it, then you shouldn't be making leads for use outdoors use in such locations.

mastiles_fanylion - Member
If you haven't read this and understood it, then you shouldn't be making leads for use outdoors use in such locations.

Well I can wire a plug and know my earth from my neutral so I don't think I am going to have gone too far wrong. Really.

Seriously? I have just put the yellow and green striped bit into 'E', the brown into 'N' and the blue into 'L'.

What could go wrong?

I have just put the yellow and green striped bit into 'E', the brown into 'N' and the blue into 'L'.

I thought you said you could wire a plug? 🙂

I hope he's joking...

8)

If you happen to be based near Newcastle at all, you are more than welcome to borrow mine.

I wire my into nearest lamppost job done

Thanks for the offer - in Harrogate and going to Scarborough so a bit out of the way. I'll trust my wiring...

Update - back from my week camping and didn't die or trip camp electrics. And the distribution point had an RCD on it as I imagined it would have. £40 saved.