Monday, Feb 11, 2019 at 12:25
Electric kettles usually draw 1800 to 2400 watts. That's 7.5 to 10 amps straight up.
You may be using a gas stove to heat water, a lot of caravanners use an electric kettle.
An electric toaster can draw 800 to 1500 watts. The average is 1200W. That's 5 amps.
A microwave is only around 50% efficient. The "power rating" of the microwave is only the power put out by the Magnetron, not the power draw from the plug.
So, if your microwave power setting is 1200W, it will be drawing around 2400W (10A) from the plug.
Add to the draw, 2 or 3 lights, a charger, and the microwave on standby, an electric clock - and before long, the total draw on the caravan power point in the park is over 10 amps.
More than 2 people in a 'van, the more likely the chances of multiple electrical devices being used at once.
Finally - the lead-in cord to a 'van is usually 10M minimum, some caravan cords are 15M, to allow for plugs on the opposite side of the 'van, or an inability to get close to the power point due to obstructions.
Some caravanners have been known to connect 2 or 3 extension leads to get power to their 'van.
Long extension leads lose current transfer ability due to wire resistance. A 15M, 15A extension lead is a basic requirement, to reduce voltage drop, which can damage sensitive electrical items.
A power supply to a house has a short lead-in to the meter box - from which, the 10A wiring is distributed from room to room, via wiring that is designed to be heavy enough to cope with the total draw (number of plugs) in that room.
Cheers, Ron.
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