That's true, I hadn't thought about using sites abroad. I haven't left the country for about 35 years so it didn't enter my mind.
I use to do electrical testing on a couple of campsites you would be surprised how many fail and then you also have people plugged in at home to pre cool the fridge etc that may not have rcds
I have seen campsite supplies that aren't even the correct polarity, who knows what else is missing Wish I had kept a picture of the campsite at Le Mans, it wasn't dissimilar to the one above.
I have always wondered why a heavier earth to the body is needed than the 2.5mm earth that is in the hook up??
Section 708 of BS7671 Caravan pitch socket-outlets Regulation 708.55.1.1 requires that every socket-outlet or connector shall either comply with: BS EN 60309-2 and shall be interlocked and classified to clause 6.1.5 of BS EN 60309-1:1999 to prevent the socket contacts being live when accessible; or be part of an interlocked self-contained product complying with BS EN 60309-4 and classified to clauses 6.1.101 and 6.1.102 of BS EN 60309-4:2006 to prevent the socket contacts being live when accessible. The current rating is to be not less than 16 A but may be greater if required. At least one socket-outlet should be provided for each caravan pitch. Where socket-outlets are grouped in pitch supply equipment, there should be one socket-outlet for each pitch limited to a group of four. Overcurrent protection Every socket-outlet shall be individually protected by an overcurrent protective device, in accordance with the requirements of Chapter 43. A fixed connection for a supply to a mobile home or residential park home shall be individually protected by an overcurrent protective device, in accordance with the requirements of Chapter 43. Isolation Regulation 708.537.2.1.1 now requires at least one means of isolation to be installed in each distribution enclosure. This device shall disconnect all live conductors. RCD protection Each socket-outlet must be protected individually by an RCD having a rated residual operating current not exceeding 30mA. The RCD must disconnect all live conductors including the neutral. A final circuit (from the metering point) intended for the fixed connection for a supply to a mobile home or a residential park home shall be individually protected by an RCD having a rated residual operating current not exceeding 30 mA accessible to the consumer. Devices selected shall disconnect all live conductors
Much simpler in Greece: you just have a live cable sticking out of the ground. Don’t forget to take a bit of terminal block and a pair of electrician’s gloves with you so you can connect up
Yeah, and that was the wrong Regulation I quoted. I've edited it to show the correct one. But camp sites SHOULD be inspected regularly to comply with their insurance and any council licensing. Maybe we need to be a bit more picky with the locations we stay at? And I did say you "shouldn't " need your own RCD, not that you definitely don't need one
Some low voltage short circuits involving the output of power supplies or chargers can provide quite large currents through mains earth wiring too... I am glad my earth bonding wires were bigger - using the hookup wiring to plug in a welder - the mains cable melted along the earth wiring when a wire fell off inside my welder and connected the earthed case of the welder to one side of the output of the welder. So when I lit up the welder, it made the wire vanish up to the mains socket where the heavier earth bonding wire took over and didnt melt.
Nicely quoted but exactly how does that apply to your original comment "Strictly speaking, you shouldn't need an RCBO in your van for your mains hook-up. There should be one on the supply at the outlet you plug into, as long as the campsite is complying with the Regs." Id agree with not requiring an RCBO however those are used by some as a way of integrating the RCD and the MCB into a single device where only one circuit is present! Are you saying that and RCD and MCB aren't required or that its just RCBOs that arent. I notice you've changed your post as I was writing? ... or changed your mind. Not sure which or whether its both but I don't think is a great idea to tell people they don't need an RCBO... or RCD or MCB? Incidentally. The regulation you originally quoted (721.415.1) is actually the regulation that requires the installation of the RCD within the caravan/motor caravan as the means of protection is automatic disconnection! Section 708 relates to the caravan park installation and section 721 to the camper.
TBH I've never really been a fan of reduced size earths or neutrals, regardless of the cable calculations. That's why I don't like Twin & Earth (or house bashing!). I prefer to have them the same size as the "live" core.
I changed it because I mistakenly quoted the regs for suplies to park homes. And I said you "shouldn't" need an RCD, not that you definitely don't. Is it really too much to ask that campsites, who charge us money to use their facilities including electric hook-up, have the correct safety equipment in place?
Got that. I know why you changed it. It was because you were wrong so good on yah! Bad advice backed up by official looking jargon that wouldn't have made any sense to anyone else. Likely were talking at slightly crossed purposes but the regulation you quoted originally clearly said you needed one in your bus? Nice to discuss if you understand the requirements and whilst you state "shouldn't" to others that may mean to them that "Jaysparx on TLB says you don't need one so I'm not fitting one"... I see your point.... all things being equal on a fixed installation the RCD at the point of connection should facilitate disconnection of the circuit but frankly.... too much to go wrong. Firstly the installation is in a mobile unit and prone to vibration and possibly mechanical damage which may not be obvious and cant be easily inspected prior to use. That is then fed via a 25 metre lead, again prone to damage due to the nature of its use and storage with an inlet on the vehicle prone to damage and potential water ingress. etc.
