Power cables

Oasis Nomads · Member

Power cables

Aus-Kiwi · Guru

15 to 20 m. Make sure cable size is up to load over the distance with 15 amp plug ..

Oasis Nomads · Member

Thanks, will now start to sus suppliers

zuby · Member

Oasis Nomads wrote:
advice please, we used a park this last weekend with the slide on connected to the site power but found out lead inadequate, the cable just reached and when other campers plugged in it loosened our cable just through operation of the power box.
Our cable is older as it came with a hand me down caravan that was used as a spare bedroom. So what is the recommended length and types currently being used please.
TIA trainee

Did the plug come loose?

Caravans should have a 15A lead with a 15A plug to fit in a caravan park outlet. The 15A plug has a larger earth pin than a normal household 10A plug.

A caravan's 15A plug can not fit in a normal 10A household socket.

Do you think when the previous owners were using it as a spare bedroom they changed the plug to the smaller pin 10A plug?

If they did then the smaller earth pin would not hold in the caravan park outlet so well.

-- Edited by zuby on Monday 1st of June 2015 08:09:48 AM

Bruce and Bev · Guru

you can buy 15amp leads of various lengths from Bunnings - cheaper than caravan and camping shops. They often come in either yellow or orange.

Suggest orange as its a stand-out colour and less likely to be tripped over by someone

Possum3 · Guru

Yellow - heavy duty outdoor all weather cable with
a sheath that stays flexible in minus zero temperatures

Orange - standard outdoor cable

Blue - standard industrial indoor cable

White - domestic use only

Phil C · Guru

Hi folks, im gunna chime in here for my 2 peneths worth.

ANY plastic (PVC) cable will be subject to UV radiation unless UV stabalised Therefore its not a bad idea to replace the main lead every few years. Im sure this will stop any hassles with problem cables.

As previously mentioned 20 meters is probably the most I would have. Again these need to be 15 amp cables (larger earth pin)

Cheers

robo24 · Senior Member

99% of caravan parkls i have used still only have 10amp sockets

oldtrack123 · Guru

Hi

The regs specify that the cable SHALL have the same rated plug & socket

The combination of cable plug & socket SHALL be an approved article & SHALL comply with the Standards

The Standards set the cable size required for the actual length & Amps rating of the plug & socket

ONLY APPROVED extension leads are allowed to be sold & used

A lead with a 10A plug & 15A socket cannot be approved & SHALL NOT BE USED

Home made adapters with a 10A plug to a 15A extension socket are illegal

The only fully approved option available is an "Ampfibian" with the required weather & mechanical protection incorporating a RCD safety switch & 10A overload circuit breaker protection

hako · Guru

robo24 wrote:
99% of caravan parkls i have used still only have 10amp sockets

Not discounting your experiences, but we've never stayed at a caravan park with a 10 amp socket yet - all have been 15 amps.

Regards

brickies · Guru

I also have never see a 10 amp in a caravan park , I would believe all caravan would be subjected to an inspection to to register has a caravan park and power outlets would be checked , When I was in the fire service the day before any show day we would go out to electrical points and leads

rockylizard · Guru

Gday...

I'm with you Hako confuse I have yet to find a Caravan Park (as distinct from the occasional showground or "free" camp) that still has 10amp sockets for vans.

Perhaps to ensure everyone knows the difference between 10amp and 15amp plugs/sockets this may help -

socket 10amp.jpg Socket 15amp.jpg

Cheers - John

brickies · Guru

Question will a 10 amp male fitting work on a 15 amp female fitting , If so was Robo24 putting his 10 amp lead into a 15 amp socket that the only thing I can think has happen at a caravan park

KFT · Guru

Yes Brickies a 10 amp PLUG will fit legally into a 15 amp socket.

however it does not work the other way around IE you cannot put a 15 amp plug into a 10 amp socket because that would overload the 10 amp rated outlet.

frank

brickies · Guru

Well maybe Robo24 has been putting an 10 amp lead into a 15 amp power point at the caravan park

oldtrack123 · Guru

brickies wrote:
I also have never see a 10 amp in a caravan park , I would believe all caravan would be subjected to an inspection to to register has a caravan park and power outlets would be checked , When I was in the fire service the day before any show day we would go out to electrical points and leads

Hi

Absolutely no reason why some older Cps could not have 10A outlets

The Standards are not retrospective so it is not mandatory they change/ update previously approved existing installations

They may not even be RCD protected.

They could even leave the 10A outlets & instal 15A outlets on another system .

oldtrack123 · Guru

Oasis Nomads wrote:
advice please, we used a park this last weekend with the slide on connected to the site power but found out lead inadequate, the cable just reached and when other campers plugged in it loosened our cable just through operation of the power box.
Our cable is older as it came with a hand me down caravan that was used as a spare bedroom. So what is the recommended length and types currently being used please.
TIA trainee

Hi

The question that needs answering is :What size [current rating] is the inlet socket on the van???

If it is a very old unit it could well be 10A

That will present some problems that need to be considered

A 10A extension lead should not be used in a 15A outlet unless there is some means of limiting the current draw to 10A

PeterQ

-- Edited by oldtrack123 on Sunday 7th of June 2015 02:15:40 PM

KFT · Guru

Hi Peter

surely if the caravan has a 10 amp inlet the supply would be demand limited by the RCBO in the van.

you know as well as I do that 10 amp circuits can often be protected by 20 amp breakers.

frank

aussie_paul · Guru

KFT wrote:
Hi Peter

surely if the caravan has a 10 amp inlet the supply would be demand limited by the RCBO in the van.

you know as well as I do that 10 amp circuits can often be protected by 20 amp breakers.

frank

I wonder if the van is that old that if it would have a RCBO???

Aussie Paul. smile

KFT · Guru

Thanks Paul

maybe just a breaker or even a fuse if it is an oldie.

Aus-Kiwi · Guru

know what's done .. But can't recommend .. Wire size on some of these extension cables is just enough..
I bought twin and earth from Bunnings asked for 2.5mm I tell you it's NOT 2.5 mm ..
20 Amp yes ..

oldtrack123 · Guru

KFT wrote:
Hi Peter

surely if the caravan has a 10 amp inlet the supply would be demand limited by the RCBO in the van.

you know as well as I do that 10 amp circuits can often be protected by 20 amp breakers.

frank

Hi Frank

Yes,these days 20A is near the norm , but back in the 40s /50s when vans only had 10 A

the circuit usually only had a 10A fuse. [wired with 3/ .029 cable] or 15A with 1/064

From personal experience, those very old vans with 10A inlets[in the 40s/ 50s],did not have any switchboard or overload protection.

Of course they also had very little 240V gear

A fridge, lights, one 240V socket was about the limit[ that was all my old Chesney had] smile

PeterQ

oldtrack123 · Guru

aussie_paul wrote:
KFT wrote:
Hi Peter

surely if the caravan has a 10 amp inlet the supply would be demand limited by the RCBO in the van.

you know as well as I do that 10 amp circuits can often be protected by 20 amp breakers.

frank
I wonder if the van is that old that if it would have a RCBO???
Aussie Paul.

Hi Paul

If it 40s /50s era it will have nothing except a 10A inlet socket, not even a main switch biggrin

Memory fails as to just when 15A inlets became the norm confuse P

Ontos45 · Guru

This is what I use at home and it works a treat and is affordable.

http://www.ozstock.com.au/15995/Portable-RCD-with-15A-to-10A-Mains-Plug-Conversion.html

oldtrack123 · Guru

Ontos45 wrote:
This is what I use at home and it works a treat and is affordable.
http://www.ozstock.com.au/15995/Portable-RCD-with-15A-to-10A-Mains-Plug-Conversion.html

Hi

Approved for home use provided it is under permanent cover[protected from the weather]

NOT approved for use in Cps, show grounds,camping grounds, etc, as it does not comply[ in many ways]to the Standards for use in THOSE situations

PeterQ

oldtrack123 · Guru

Aus-Kiwi wrote:
15 to 20 m. Make sure cable size is up to load over the distance with 15 amp plug ..

Hi

If it supplied by a reputable supplier, it will comply to the standards AS /NZS3199 for both length & current rating

If it does not do the right thing & report it to the local energy safety office!!!

PeterQ

oldtrack123 · Guru

Aus-Kiwi wrote:
know what's done .. But can't recommend .. Wire size on some of these extension cables is just enough..
I bought twin and earth from Bunnings asked for 2.5mm I tell you it's NOT 2.5 mm ..
20 Amp yes ..

Hi

Perhaps tell us what size it is???

AS/NZS3199 Approved cables for 20A start @ 2.5mmx for length up to 30M for general use

or do as I suggested in above post

They can be penalised for selling non approved extension leads!!

PeterQ

Ontos45 · Guru

oldtrack123 wrote:
Ontos45 wrote:
This is what I use at home and it works a treat and is affordable.
http://www.ozstock.com.au/15995/Portable-RCD-with-15A-to-10A-Mains-Plug-Conversion.html

Hi
Approved for home use provided it is under permanent cover[protected from the weather]
NOT approved for use in Cps, show grounds,camping grounds, etc, as it does not comply[ in many ways]to the Standards for use in THOSE situations

PeterQ

(This is me just thinking over a beer biggrin )

Going to get a "T" shirt saying, I survived the 60's/70's as an apprentice sparky laying/repairing cable in factory roofs, on 3 stage ladders with a ramset gun fixing conduit clamps without all the fuss of today, only regret not wearing a mask, no COPD.

Then another "T" shirt saying I survived the 80's camping in CPs when not only finding a site but one where you could find room to fit your double adaptor into the GPO that looked like a rats nest. Lead not long enough? Just join another to it and put a bucket over it or wrap join in electrical tape.

Seems now it's quote the numbers and this no good for that mentality. It did no good for the poor buggers that died during the pink bats fiasco even with all the modern fault finding equipment and regulations. Not saying they not needed but sometimes luck comes into the equation, maybe luckier in another generation.

(end of my rant)

-- Edited by Ontos45 on Monday 8th of June 2015 03:16:46 PM

Aus-Kiwi · Guru

oldtrack123 wrote:
Aus-Kiwi wrote:
know what's done .. But can't recommend .. Wire size on some of these extension cables is just enough..
I bought twin and earth from Bunnings asked for 2.5mm I tell you it's NOT 2.5 mm ..
20 Amp yes ..

Hi
Perhaps tell us what size it is???
AS/NZS3199 Approved cables for 20A start @ 2.5mmx for length up to 30M for general use
or do as I suggested in above post
They can be penalised for selling non approved extension leads!!

PeterQ

As said twin and earth .. Not flex.. Wired up my two post hoist..

Aus-Kiwi · Guru

The light circuit on most homes may not nessesary be through an rcd..
There's no fault through active and neutral either ..