Caravan powered with <span class="highlight">generator</span>

HI Yes
A RVD available from "Safelec technologies"
Contact them & they will advise on the best model
Most likely a RVD-EMR[ 16Amp]
It can replace the existing RCD & does not destroy the isolation of the generator supply

PeterQ

Thanks to Oldtrack123 and Ian, I will follow up with both suggestions. Cheers

An RCD will work fine with a generator as it is a "Residual Current Device" that reacts to a current differential between the two live wires (four in a three phase).

In an isolated system there is no Active or Neutral until a fault or connection creates a path from one of the live legs and earth, as is the case in a Grid wired system with MEN (Multiple Earthed Neutrals) in the VAN parks. This is why all switches in a VAN must be double pole by law, to isolate the risk.

Active is defined as relative to ground and Neutral is defines as at earth potential.

Only then can touching one of the live wires conduct through a person to ground.

Therefore the RCD in your VAN will provide the SAME protection it would at home.

An RCD does not protect from getting across both live wires in either case.

The real issue is how will you plug your 15amp plug into the 10 amp from the generator.

If you have a way, illegal cord or filed down plug, how did you get it tagged and tested?

I use a power block that has a 10amp plug a 10amp RCD and a 15amp outlet readily available from Jaycar for about $70.

Kevin H

George as a HAM you would understand that on the top of an active commercial transmitter mast it is likely to be up to 4,000 volts, so how can I change the red light bulb.

Simple don't touch the ground as an active voltage is only relative to ground.

Kevin H
son of a VK2YP a Commercial radio operator.

Hi
Got called away & accidently hit the send key when I came back
[Quote Kevin]"[4]Single pole switches are regularly used in MEN systems, all my outlets at home are single pole as well as many of my old appliances, even a std power board has single pole switching.

[[5]>Without a fault there is no active without an active there is minimal risk.


[6]>Doesn't matter where the earth bond is it will still will still create a differential from the source. Generators are not normally neutral earthed and it is recommended that they not be. The earth fault may occur within the van, however without some earth connection to the van there still is no active. An active van would trip its RCD if one touched it from outside on the ground.

[7]
[a]The Standard also call for one single >10Mtr lead to connect the van to the power, so a standard an adaptor is also illegal.

[b]ASA 3001 - "A supply lead for connection to relocatable premises as per Section 3 or to the electrical equipment in a tent or non-rigid annex as per Section 4, shall be in one length (refer to Clause 5.2) and shall comply with Clauses 5.1.2 to 5.1.4."
and
]"The length of any supply lead shall be not less than 10 m and not more than the relevant figure specified in Table 5.1 for the applicable conductor cross-sectional area."


[[8]

[a]> Mine has been tested and tagged so is legal for use and yes it is not rated for use in the weather but nor is a generator.


[b]>yes an excellent product but how does it fit within the one cord rule.
[End quotes]


[4]--------- as far back asI can remember[ 1940s] portable electrical tools have been
fitted with DP switching, .
Simple reason ,there could be no gaurantee that a SP swtch was switching the active.

I do not know how old your power board is or who tested & tagged it ,but all powerboards even the elcheapo from chain stores SHALL be fitted with DP switching That is also a "shall be "with any portable outlet BOXES/board including those by Clipsal, Arlec & from Bunnings & such hardware stores

[5]Yes ,
It is save until it is no longer an '"isolated "system.
Isolation lost due to a line to eath faultANYWHERE in the system [wiring ,aplliances etc]
It is then as potentially deadly as any domestic supply not fitted with a RCD

Deaths have occurred ,many shocks recieved due to loss of isolation
So many, that it is now mandatory for ALL generators in the bulding ,construction ,mining industries &for HIRE
to no longer be isolated but to be fitted with a fully functional RCD[A E.N bond made internally]

[6]
I suggest you sketch up a few situations before you repeat that statement
I
You will soon find that without a EN bond upstream from the RCD it connot function on a downstream fault!!
Very simple reason, the current going through each leg of the RCD remain in balance

The rest of [6] is just twaddle as you do not understand basic RCD requirements
You do not seem to undertstand, when the comments is made "An earth istake is neither required or recommended" They mean do not connect the generator to mother earth or any Structure which is earthed to mother earth
But the generator frame SHALL be equipotentially bonded to the "Transportable structures "earthing system"ie the VAN frame & all earthed devices in ,.on the van.
That bonding is done by means of the EARTHING cable in the extension lead.
[7]
[a]AS/NZS 3001 does not limit the extension lead to 10M All the extension lead must do is complywith the requirements of AS/NZS 3199
That stipulates cable sizes for different lengths of extension for both normal & high surge current applications
It also says the extension lead SHALL have the same rated PLUG & SOCKET
It does not call for 10M extension lead
All the extension lead has to do is comply withAS3199

An "APPROVED "dapter can only have a specified SHORT cable
It is not classed as an extension lead
The 10M is in the CP power supply part,NOW required that all CPpower outlets beable to supply a van by a 10M extension lead.
The an onwer can use longer leads as long as they comply to AS3199!!
] YES it shall be in ONE piece,no joining of EXTENSION leads I wonder if you know why ??
If you know the answerto that you will understand why the use of an "approved "adapterdoes not contravene the rules

[8 ] [a]
Since I do not know what your is Icannot comment
Except to say,if it is not IPx4 rated IT SHALL NOT be used in public places,CP Showgrounds ,camping grounds

[b]YES it does comply It is an APPROVED adapter with anIPx4 rating.

PeterQ

Hi Kevin
I am very pleased to see that you are getting a RVD -EMR
Now you can keep your generator as an isolated supply ,no need to create an EN link in the generator.
Knowing that when you plug it into the van inlet socket, that when/ 'IF a fault developes ANYWHERE to earth in the system the RVD will sense that & you then have protection from shocks to earth with both mains supply[ M.E.N ] & generator[isolated ] supply .

PeterQo

Hi P1
Yes, You are so right
There is NO device that can protect from shock or electrocution if one gets across the two lines of an isolated supply [generator or inverter]or ACTIVE & NEUTRALl of a non isolated supply

Always remember that like fire, Electricity can be a good servent ,but if not handled with care can get nasty & KILL
THAT means follow the rules & regulations
Do not do work that is legislated to be LICENSED work !

PeterQ