powered sites

correction to the typo. should read 240v.
T.R.

To t-ribby should we also use a RCD box when we use an inverter in a vehicle to provide 240v mine has a 20 amp fuse have always wondered how safe they are.

I doubt that a 10 amp lead is legal !

what do you mean?

Andrew

10 or 15 what is it fellows ?

10 A leads into a 15 A outlet are perfectly legal. What is illegal is constructing a lead with a 10A plug on end and a 15A socket the other without any current limiting device in between. Many construct short leads like this and they can lead to overloading the supply circuits. If you wish to construct such a lead see tinyurl.com/rfydp

Constructing a short 'conversion lead' also leads to another transgression of the latest electrical regulations - you are no longer permitted to join caravan power leads. See the last sentence in tinyurl.com/ylg2vh.

If the power board you are using has a 10 A input as well as a RCD then you are perfectly entitled to use a 10 A power lead - you do not need a 15 A one. Also if your caravan is fitted with a 10 A circuit breaker and a 10 A input then you can legally use 10 A power lead.

PeterD

disco1942, I know what you mean to say but some of your terminology may lead to someone misunderstanding what is required. I would sugest that any person wanting a supply lead made up for their caravan should have it made by a licensed person who has a copy of AS/NZS 2001 (and understands it)

ok how about a 15 metre 15amp lead connected to a 4 power outlet portable pack sold as used on building sites Would this do the trick and have problem solved
richard

Kiwi Kia

Yes I was a little short on words was not I.

The first sentence could have been worded - Plugging a 10 A lead into a 15 A power socket is perfectly legal.

Some people do make up short leads with a 10 A plug one end and a 15 A socket the other so as to be able to connect a 15 A caravan lead to a 10 A power point - this is illegal - firstly because you are connecting a 15 A device to a 10 A supply and secondly because you are joining two leads.

It is permissible to to use a lead to connect a van with a 15 A input connector to a 10 A power point if the lead has a device in it to limit the maximum current to 10 A.

It is perfectly legal for a competent person to construct a lead for his/her own use but not to construct a lead with a current limiting device in it - that has to be made by a licensed electrician.

For further info see tinyurl.com/yefl8t

PeterD

squaredeal

Provided that the board has an RCD (residual current device that disconnects the electrical supply in event of certain faults) it probably will suit your requirements.

PeterD

'perfectly legal for a competent person to construct a lead'

Sorry but this is still classed as electrical work and requires testing ie earth continuity, polarity and insulation test as with any electrical article. In Australia this should only be done by a licensed electrician. I know.... who hasn't made one themselves...

Codaro

Did you read through the pages that I linked you through to. They were written by a higher authority than me. The one tinyurl.com/yefl8t was written in consultation with authorities conversant with the applicable standards.

The piece regarding cables construction is covered in the last paragraph of the section headed "Ten Amp Plug/Cable - Fifteen Amp Inlet."

PeterD

Squaredeal, No, you can't plug your 'appliance' (caravan) into the 10 amp plug board which, inturn is itself plugged into the 15 amp pillar outlet in the campground as you are 'joining' the supply lead. The supply lead must be a 'one-piece' item. I wonder howmany people know that there is also a 'minimum' length for the supply lead, it's 5 metres from memory.

Kiwi Kia

squaredeal's camper does not have a 240 V installation only 12V outlets - that is the problem. I gather he wants to use the power board like someone in a tent.

PeterD

Disco1942, Once the supply lead enters the tent or camper then I would allow the plug box to be connected. I would not allow the connection to be outside in the weather. The overriding question is "is it safe"? If it is then there is no big deal with paper work but in case of a fire or electric shock then you had better be ready to back up your "safe" argument with sound engineering facts. AS/NZS 2000 and other standards are only (in the) acceptable guides. Other methods may be used but as I have said you had better have the expertise and experience to be able to prove that what you are doing is safe. Some people seem to have a hang-up about earth connections, most of the world does not use an earth and in very dry or sandy areas they don't work anyway. The only reason you use an earth is so that in the event of a fault from the active wire to earth then the protective device (fuse, circuit breaker etc.) will trip and turn off the supply. More important these days for PERSONAL safety is an RCD which as already mentioned looks for any difference in the balance of current between the phase and neutral. If there is an imbalance it means that somewhere there is a leakage to earth (possible through a human being!) so the device shuts down the supply in a few milliseconds (dependant on the sort of device used). Medical areas use a much more sensitive device then a normal house / camper / work site would use.

Disco1942, Ooops, sorry, I should have reread your posts, you obviously already know what I was trying to explain.

Nevermind, some others may find something of interest.

Kiwi Kia

I am starting to doubt your competency and your answers in this thread – if you had read the pages from my links you would have at least seen that the current electrical standards is not AS/NZS 2000 and a lot of your other statements would have been answered.

I have not been able to locate much on the web regarding power in tents but http://tinyurl.com/yep484 from the WA contains the following:-

For tents...

Connecting to electricity supply
• Supply extension leads need to meet the
requirements as outlined for caravans.
• If the on-site connection point does not
have safety switch protection for the
outlets, it is recommended that a portable
safety switch be used to supply the tents.
• Electricity supply must not be obtained
from another tent having a different
occupier or situated on another site.
Connecting electrical equipment in a tent
• If there is more than one appliance to be
connected in the tent, use an approved
portable socket outlet box. Place the
outlet box on a rigid support in a dry and
protected position.
• If possible, switch the power off at night
or when electricity is not being used.
Is your electrical equipment safe to
connect?
There are additional hazards for campers in
tents. The combined factors of electricity
and damp areas (such as grass, canvas
etc.) are potentially fatal.
• Ensure that electrical appliances are of an
approved type and are sufficiently robust
for the harsh conditions that may be
encountered whilst travelling and camping.
• Light fittings should be of durable and
insulated construction with protection
against lamp breakages.
• Keep appliance leads and extension
leads out of the way. Leads trailing
around in a tent are dangerous,
especially for children.

Kiwi Kia

I was composing the above whilst you were posting and missed your last. I was a little scathing of you - sorry.

PeterD

No problem disco1942,

A Standard is only required to be followed IF it is called in law. Standards are NOT law unless they are (as stated above) called for by a law. I see none of the coments about power outlets in tents to be other then 'a good practice'.

I am qualified to inspect and issue certificates of compliance.

Thanks fellows hope you sort out your differences
it looks the answer may be a 15 metre 15 amp lead connected to a portable rcd box setup in a dry out of the way place possibly under the trailer
A second shorter cord may also be a good idea when the pillar is close by
Thanks