Electrics

Submitted: Friday, Jan 18, 2008 at 10:13
ThreadID: 53608 Views:1702 Replies:6 FollowUps:1
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Hi All

Just a question,for any sparky or someone with electrical knowledge, why is it that you have to use double pole power points in caravans when doing reno. All the old caravans had just single pole and the ones we have removed during the reno also are just ordinary ones as well so could someone tell me whats the go.

Thanks
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Reply By: Notso - Friday, Jan 18, 2008 at 10:24

Friday, Jan 18, 2008 at 10:24
The Double Pole Power Points switch both the Active and Neutral Wires and prevents the neutral becoming ctive where the polarity is reversed somewhere, usually in a power lead or if the van or home where the active and neutral wires have been switched somewhere
AnswerID: 282231

Reply By: Member - Matt (Perth-WA) - Friday, Jan 18, 2008 at 10:25

Friday, Jan 18, 2008 at 10:25
If you are talking about double pole switching as apposed to the other single pole switching....then I believe its an electrical regulations issue.

When I did my camper trailer the electrician I consulted believes it is just a safety approach to ensure the trailer/camper is definately isolated when you beleive it is. Otherwise the power feed (active) could be still there and you have only switch off the nuetral. There are sooooo many parks and not all are modern and built where you can abolutley guarantee that the feed was wired correctly. So why not use double pole switching just to be safe.

Matt.
AnswerID: 282232

Reply By: Member - joc45 (WA) - Friday, Jan 18, 2008 at 11:08

Friday, Jan 18, 2008 at 11:08
Agree with above.
I think it's mainly to do with people who foolishly modify their extension cords and get the live and neutral wires reversed. The two circuit breakers ensure that power is completely removed from the caravan.
Gerry
AnswerID: 282243

Reply By: Gronk - Friday, Jan 18, 2008 at 13:29

Friday, Jan 18, 2008 at 13:29
Its all about maybe saving someones life...maybe yours ????

Especially for people who are doing additions to vans themselves !!!

Bit like pulling apart an anderson plug ......you know that power is isolated !!

With 240V you rarely get an electrical shock...you usually get electrocuted !!!!
AnswerID: 282259

Reply By: Ray - Saturday, Jan 19, 2008 at 08:45

Saturday, Jan 19, 2008 at 08:45
All my equipment in the van is double poled and in addition I use an Earth Leakage Protector ( those orange ones) when on caravan parks or in the bush using a generator
AnswerID: 282427

Follow Up By: Member - Charlie M (SA) - Saturday, Jan 19, 2008 at 22:15

Saturday, Jan 19, 2008 at 22:15
Ray
Just check your portable earth leakage works on genset, it may will cutout if checking with inbuilt test switch but may not cutout in real life as genset is not earthed. May need to have tested with earth leakage tester.
Cheers
Charlie
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FollowupID: 547108

Reply By: Member - Pesty (SA) - Saturday, Jan 19, 2008 at 22:26

Saturday, Jan 19, 2008 at 22:26
Woody, agree with theory,s above re double switching, but i dont think all the old vans had single pole.
Have been double polled as long as i can remember, except for those that have been upgraded buy home renovators i suspect.

Cheers Pesty
AnswerID: 282593

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