extensionlead

glenn · Veteran Member

extensionlead

jules47 · The Happy Helper

??????

Pet-els · Veteran Member

glenn wrote:
try again I have a 10mtr 15 amp extension lead will it be long enough for caravan parks
my input is on the passenger side

Yes for some No for others, I carry 1x10m and 1x20m NOTE they are not to be joined together.

PeterH

-- Edited by glenn on Friday 13th of September 2013 09:40:28 AM

rockylizard · Guru

Gday...

I too have heard, and been told, that it is "illegal" to join extension cords. I have not seen any regulation or 'recommendation' in writing to justify this advice.

However, I have one of these -

This site gives their details - http://www.littlegreenhouse.com/accessory/electrical.shtml

They are available in "good" hardware stores - even Bunnings. They are weather-proof and water-proof. I have had mine for a few years, but I was referred to these by a carpenter and he stated they are OH&S compliant.

Not only do they ensure the cords do not disengage, they certainly are weather proof ... and they sure ain't 'spensive

Cheers - John

-- Edited by rockylizard on Friday 13th of September 2013 04:50:42 PM

GROMET · Member

if you are 10 meters away from the power pole then yes if you are more than 10 meters away then no

we have a 20 meter cord and so far never had an issue

brickies · Guru

Pet-els is there a problem joining lead or or is it something you prefer not to do has I also carry two lead for places like Showgrounds

Big Gorilla · Guru

I am not aware of any requirement NOT to join them. On the rare occasion I join leads and the joint is exposed to the weather, I wrap the connection in a plastic bag to stop the possibility of rain entering the connection.

jetj · Guru

I carry plastic cases that wrap around the extension connection, cheap and fairly available. CMCA requirement is one lead no joins for their rallies etc. I don't know if a legal requirement but would like to know.

KFT · Guru

The rules applying to "Electrical Installations- transportable structures and vehicles including their site supplies" are contained within AS/NZS 3001-2008

The rules are called up in legislation relating to caravan parks and their site power supplies so yes they are mandatory and relate to the safe use of electricity as used by us travellers.

If anyone would like to see the applicable clauses please PM me and I can provide an excerpt of that section. Copyright rules prevent the publication of the entire standard.

In case there is any doubt YES the rules state that the extension lead supplying a "transportable structure" ( such as a caravan or motorhome) MUST be in one unbroken length.

this is for safety of everyone around the caravan park/camp area.

frank

-- Edited by KFT on Friday 13th of September 2013 07:58:31 PM

Roving-Dutchy · Guru

It is illegal to join extension leads together, I know it is done and I have done it myself, but if something goes wrong you will be up the creek without a paddle.
Cheers
David

Baz421 · Guru

Roving-Dutchy wrote:
It is illegal to join extension leads together, I know it is done and I have done it myself, but if something goes wrong you will be up the creek without a paddle.
Cheers
David

Hi Dave

I, and I'm sure many others, would like to know to know under what legislation this comes under.

Bear in mind that Australian Standards (AS) are often mentioned in Legislation, BUT, many AS are not legal requirements JUST RECOMMENDATIONS ie what is considered "best practice" at the time they are introduced.

Other Legislation may "call up" an AS and be prescriptive and say it "shall" be applied (or sections of it applied).

There is a VERY SUBTLE difference between mentioning compliance with (essentially a recommendation in an AS) and specific legislation.

To see the AS you need to buy it as the free preamble on line doesn't tell the whole story.

Cheers Baz

Big Gorilla · Guru

I've just had a brief glance thru the SAA Wiring Rules and can't find any reference to joining of extension leads. The only reference I could find is in Workplace areas where it is suggested not to join extension leads together when using portable electric tools.

Legendts · Senior Member

Also,rules in the workplace require any extension leads be in insulated cradles and off the ground. I too have a 10 & 20m lead and quite often need the 20m one as th 10m just misses out.

glenn · Veteran Member

0ne answer and eight people forgot the question!!!!!

rockylizard · Guru

glenn wrote:
0ne answer and eight people forgot the question!!!!!

Gday...

I think what we have all been trying to say is as stated earlier "if 10mtres or less from powerpole you will reach .. if further than that you will need a 20mtr .. and if further agen, move closer"

The rest are pointing out that it is illegal to simply join two extension leads.

Not much else to say really hmm

cheers - John

rockylizard · Guru

Gday...

Perhaps you may mean your question was "will it be long enough for caravan parks" .... and the answer remains - If you are parked within 10mtrs you will reach .. if not move closer or get a longer cord.

There is no stipulated, firm, common, legal, illegal, optimum or agreed distance you will or may be from a power point in a van park. It is like asking how long is a piece of string.

{answer: it is twice as long as it is from the middle to one end }

Cheers - John

brickies · Guru

The Long and Short of the answer is you may need a long lead or a long and short lead we all have different needs you may have to wait and see not hard to buy a longer lead if you find the need

Zoomtopz · Guru

I suppose it depends on how close you park , or can park to the 'powerpole' in th park .

I have a 15m lead , inlet on rhs . so if I am a bit far on th left , then I turn around & park th

other way . When I bought my lead I felt there would not that much free space in a park .

rockylizard · Guru

Gday...

Perhaps this may help. I travel full-time - camp mostly but do use van parks and showgrounds, therefore need extension cords.

I carry a 5metre, a 10metre and a 25metre. I use the 10metre a fair bit, and sometimes I am lucky to get really near a power point and use the 5metre one.

But I think overall I use the 25metre one more often.

The next thing to consider is your water hose. I have two - a 10metre and a 15metre one. A lot of the time I need both because I often seem to be more than 15metres from the tap. It will all depend on where in the van park you get .. and the van park itself. Some only have one power box, with four or six outlets, for four or six vans and one or two taps only for four sites. Consequently, I also carry a two-way fitting for a tap so I can get onto it and still leave an outlet free for another camper.

It is a bit of a suck it and see - or just get one of each (they don't weigh much - or cost much) and then you have all bases covered

cheers - John

Wombat 280 · Guru

Big Gorilla wrote:
I am not aware of any requirement NOT to join them. On the rare occasion I join leads and the joint is exposed to the weather, I wrap the connection in a plastic bag to stop the possibility of rain entering the connection.

Just an observation but a plastic bag will create condensation which has exactly the same effect as any source of water has on electricity . Next time you use a plastic bag over night to cover anything outside just note the amount of water it generates in the morning, especially when the sun reaches it , that's why the services consider a plastic bag/sheet such a valuable inclusion in a bush survival kit for generating water

Wombat 280 · Guru

KFT wrote:
The rules applying to "Electrical Installations- transportable structures and vehicles including their site supplies" are contained within AS/NZS 3001-2008

The rules are called up in legislation relating to caravan parks and their site power supplies so yes they are mandatory and relate to the safe use of electricity as used by us travellers.

If anyone would like to see the applicable clauses please PM me and I can provide an excerpt of that section. Copyright rules prevent the publication of the entire standard.

In case there is any doubt YES the rules state that the extension lead supplying a "transportable structure" ( such as a caravan or motorhome) MUST be in one unbroken length.

this is for safety of everyone around the caravan park/camp area.

frank

-- Edited by KFT on Friday 13th of September 2013 07:58:31 PM

There is also a maximum length and a minimum amperage . All the van and campers I've seen have a 15 amp male inlet so it would stand to reason that the lead has to be a 15 amp unit with the appropriate plugs fitted . Years back you couldn't get a powered site for a tent or any canvas shelter but that seems to have gone since the ELCB's are standard in parks now.

Radar · Guru

Personnaly I carry a 10 metre lead which has worked well in the short time I have stayed at c/p but at Easter last we were roaming the country side and a over night stop at Noby in Queensland where I was in need of more lead. So now I carry 15 + 10 and a 3 metre junction box rated at 20 amps, I am one not to carry to much gear, no second spare but enough lead is good.

Big Gorilla · Guru

KFT wrote:
The rules applying to "Electrical Installations- transportable structures and vehicles including their site supplies" are contained within AS/NZS 3001-2008

The rules are called up in legislation relating to caravan parks and their site power supplies so yes they are mandatory and relate to the safe use of electricity as used by us travellers.

If anyone would like to see the applicable clauses please PM me and I can provide an excerpt of that section. Copyright rules prevent the publication of the entire standard.

In case there is any doubt YES the rules state that the extension lead supplying a "transportable structure" ( such as a caravan or motorhome) MUST be in one unbroken length.

this is for safety of everyone around the caravan park/camp area.

frank

-- Edited by KFT on Friday 13th of September 2013 07:58:31 PM

Yes, you are correct. I've just looked the subject up online AS/NZS 3001-2008. I based my earlier comments on the SAA Wiring Rules. Brings up the thought, which one prevails ?

KFT · Guru

G'day Big Gorilla,

AS/NZS 3001 is a sub standard of the AS/NZS 3000 wiring rules. generally I would reckon AS/NZS 3000 is the overall standard with 3001 applying specific requirements for transportable structures. any conflict between the two would probably see 3000 prevail.

frank

Radar · Guru

Thank you all for the information, when I am in a c/p we will go by the regs, but, but when the my mate said she wants power I will join as many leads together in common sense safety to keep her happy.

I would be selective about what we could run with multi leads in use.

Go down to a high rise building site and see how many leads are joined together. Maybe 2,3 or more.

Going back to the original question I believe you would get away with 10 metre lead on most occasions and to have the longer one for that time when you are in need of that extra length like at a showground.

Like when at Noby we arrived at the site for the night to find the power outlet with another camper parked near it and with out parking up on his door step to reach it I found that I was short of lead the gent come to my rescue with his second lead, so I now carry that extra lead for those times when I am short. I might add we did not really need the power, it was only that it was Good Friday and our wonderful Chinese Chef Neighbor produce a mouth watering seafood pasta as we were leaving that morning and I thought a bit of micro waving would do the job to warm it up. It did, top bit of work all round.

Hope this helps I have had my van about 18 months and before that we had a cub camper trailer for 7 years and only used the short lead.

Tim thetruckie · Senior Member

I carry a 10m and a 20m 2.5mm lead . I found I couldnt buy a 2.5mm lead off the shelf , they were all 1.5mm . I have used both leads depending on where the power post is in relation to the van . If the power pole is on the right hand side of the van I usually only need the 10m , but if on the left side I need the 20m lead .

glenn · Veteran Member

hi thanks for all your answers glenn

Baz421 · Guru

Radar wrote:
Thank you all for the information, when I am in a c/p we will go by the regs, but, but when the my mate said she wants power I will join as many leads together in common sense safety to keep her happy.
I would be selective about what we could run with multi leads in use.
Go down to a high rise building site and see how many leads are joined together. Maybe 2,3 or more.
Going back to the original question I believe you would get away with 10 metre lead on most occasions and to have the longer one for that time when you are in need of that extra length like at a showground.

Agree with you here.