Caravan Park Outlets

Vegemite · Veteran Member

RE: Caravan Park Outlets

KFT · Guru

Hi Brian and Vegemite

Outlet boxes approved to AS/NZS 3100 are approved for use on sites to supply caravans and tents under certain circumstances.

The "outlet box" must incorporate a circuit breaker and RCD, be double pole as must the switches on the outlets. The box must also be weatherproof to IPX4.

If you have access to Australian standard AS/NZS 3001 have a read of clauses 4.1 to 4.4.8 where this info is specifically addressed. Outlet boxes approved under AS/NZS 3105 are NOT approved. these are the boxes typically available at hardware stores for use around the home and they should not be used for your purpose as they do not meet the weatherproofing requirements.

I stand to be corrected on this but that is my reading/interpretation of the standards.

frank

Vegemite · Veteran Member

Well I'm gonna put it in the too hard basket and take my chances with the Bunnings one.
My local council use them outdoors with portable generators so if it's good enough for them .....

I tried to read the AS/NZS 3001 online but you have to buy it. Very expensive too, $90 for the PDF.

I find it strange that these regulations are in place for our safety but nothing has been massed produced to cater for it.
Not to mention we don't even have free access to the relevant documentation.

Sounds like "jobs for the boys" (sparkies) to me.

KFT · Guru

Bob, sparkies have to pay for them too

agree they should be more widely available. have you looked in your local library? some have online access to standards.

frank

Vegemite · Veteran Member

KFT wrote:
Bob, sparkies have to pay for them too

agree they should be more widely available. have you looked in your local library? some have online access to standards.

frank

I meant that to get a device that complies to the standards you have to get an electrician to manufacture one. That would be costly.

As for the library I think their "online" is the same as "mine"

KFT · Guru

Have a look here: www.bunnings.com.au/arlec-15a-4-outlet-safety-switch-portable-power-block-_p7050064

and here too: http://www.bunnings.com.au/stanley-15a-rcd-mcb-worksite-protected-power-hub-with-usb-hub_p4420237

from what I am reading this appears to comply but I am not able to recommend that you use any of these products based on my views. I am unable to verify that these devices do comply.

frank

-- Edited by KFT on Sunday 26th of January 2014 05:03:07 PM

-- Edited by KFT on Sunday 26th of January 2014 05:09:03 PM

ShortNorth · Senior Member

KFT wrote:
Have a look here: www.bunnings.com.au/arlec-15a-4-outlet-safety-switch-portable-power-block-_p7050064
and here too: http://www.bunnings.com.au/stanley-15a-rcd-mcb-worksite-protected-power-hub-with-usb-hub_p4420237

If you take a close look at these 15A portable power block devices - the Arlec, the Stanley and the similar HPM versions, you'll find they ALL have 15A plugs - this means they CANNOT be plugged into a 10A GPO, they HAVE to be plugged into a 15A GPO - they are NOT a substitute for the Amp-Fibian. If you already have a 15A GPO to be able to plug these devices into, then you don't the 15A power block anyway, you can plug your caravan lead straight into the 15A GPO !

However, you can bet that somewhere some fool will cut off the 15A plug and fit a 10A plug to try to turn it into an adapter.

KFT · Guru

Shortnorth, I believe that was what vegemite was after. I had the impression (maybe incorrectly) he was looking for an outlet box to use in a tent so being 15a was not an issue.

but to be sure I will go back and have another read.

frank

edit quote vegemite "

"Do you mean these?

I was considering getting one or even the 10A for use in a tent.

If these are not approved where would I get one that is?"

He was going to get something so I attempted to point him in the best direction I could.

-- Edited by KFT on Sunday 26th of January 2014 10:25:25 PM

-- Edited by KFT on Sunday 26th of January 2014 10:26:18 PM

Vegemite · Veteran Member

KFT wrote:
Shortnorth, I believe that was what vegemite was after. I had the impression (maybe incorrectly) he was looking for an outlet box to use in a tent so being 15a was not an issue.

but to be sure I will go back and have another read.

frank
edit quote vegemite "
"Do you mean these?
I was considering getting one or even the 10A for use in a tent.
If these are not approved where would I get one that is?"

He was going to get something so I attempted to point him in the best direction I could.

-- Edited by KFT on Sunday 26th of January 2014 10:25:25 PM

-- Edited by KFT on Sunday 26th of January 2014 10:26:18 PM

Thank you, that is exactly what I meant as outlined earlier.

We seem to be going around in circles so I'll leave it at that and go with the Bunnings 15A.

I'm not trying to cut corners, I just want a legal way to run a 15A lead to a tent (or van that isn't set up as a camper)

and have a waterproof power box to plug into. I thought it would be a simple matter when you consider the tens of thousands of

campers in Australia using caravan sites on a daily basis.

It begs the question, what are they using?

oldtrack123 · Guru

HI
DITTO to Short North's post
Summed it ALL up very nicely!!!

PeterQ

Vegemite · Veteran Member

oldtrack123 wrote:

HI
DITTO to Short North's post
Summed it ALL up very nicely!!!

PeterQ

Actually he/she missed the point completely :(

ShortNorth · Senior Member

Vegemite wrote:
oldtrack123 wrote:

HI
DITTO to Short North's post
Summed it ALL up very nicely!!!

PeterQ
Actually he/she missed the point completely :(

Actually, I did not miss the point completely - I knew you were referring to the use of a power block for inside a tent. If you have pitched a tent, it would be logical that you would want to have access to 240v power inside the tent. But, it's how you go about it. Look at the 'tradies blocks' mentioned - all have only 1.8 metre leads, so unless you pitched your tent hard up against the power pillar, you'd have to use a normal 15A caravan lead to get far enough into the tent away from potential rain or flooding sources, then you can plug your 'tradie block' into the end of the caravan lead to distribute to your 240v appliances inside the tent.

My point was, in reference to all the recent talk about the common use of 'tradies power blocks', simply as a general warning that tradies power blocks ARE NOT A SUBSTITUTE for Amp-Fibians - nothing more, nothing less !

And, if you took the time to read just a little further down, you'd see on the previous post I signed off as Brian, not Brianna !

Vegemite · Veteran Member

ShortNorth wrote:
Vegemite wrote:
oldtrack123 wrote:

HI
DITTO to Short North's post
Summed it ALL up very nicely!!!

PeterQ
Actually he/she missed the point completely :(
Actually, I did not miss the point completely - I knew you were referring to the use of a power block for inside a tent.....
My point was, in reference to all the recent talk about the common use of 'tradies power blocks', simply as a general warning that tradies power blocks ARE NOT A SUBSTITUTE for Amp-Fibians - nothing more, nothing less !
And, if you took the time to read just a little further down, you'd see on the previous post I signed off as Brian, not Brianna !

Firstly, I have never implied I would use 10A.

Secondly, I have never mentioned the Amp-Fibians and would never use one. I'm 15A all the way.

Thirdly, I didn't want to risk insult if Brianna wasn't a woman's name!

I'm out of here, too many old people!