15amp to 10 amp adaptor

Submitted: Wednesday, Aug 10, 2011 at 21:30

ThreadID: 88399 Views:12508 Replies:4 FollowUps:16

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workhorse

Just received this email. Thought it may be of interest to those with vans.

"Caravan owners have always had a problem connecting their vans up to household power points.

This is because caravans use 15 Amp power inlets (large earth pin) and houses have 10 Amp outlets.

Our technical staff have written a short guide to show the only legal solution we know of.

View our online article here:

http://caravansplus.com.au/catalog/help-tips2.php?view=6"

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Reply By: lancie49 - Wednesday, Aug 10, 2011 at 21:37

Wednesday, Aug 10, 2011 at 21:37

Sounds too much like and advertisement for my liking.

AnswerID: 462301

Follow Up By: workhorse - Wednesday, Aug 10, 2011 at 21:41

Wednesday, Aug 10, 2011 at 21:41

Apologies I didn't put in the ridiculous disclaimer that cynical people seem to require.
I did think this forum was to help people who share the same interests in travelling.
Some people are suspicious of everything, even someone helping.
An interesting fear filled world some live in.

FollowupID: 736110

Follow Up By: Member - The Bushwhackers -NSW - Wednesday, Aug 10, 2011 at 22:06

Wednesday, Aug 10, 2011 at 22:06

Hi workhorse

Didn't find the assistance you referred to in your post by looking at the link, but the only safe way I know of 10 amp to 15 amp powerpoint is to get a 15amp circuit installed.

Yes, some are suspicious, but some also value their safety, especially when it comes to taking advice that should come from a legally (and technically) qualified person, as against a post from a cynical smartass on a forum, particularly if they are not known to the person.

Cheers, Dave

FollowupID: 736112

Follow Up By: workhorse - Wednesday, Aug 10, 2011 at 22:15

Wednesday, Aug 10, 2011 at 22:15

Hi Dave.
I don't use a caravan but had been following the numerous in depth posts here in relation to the 10-15amp problem experienced by some at caravan parks.
The email I received was posted in good faith and did seem to indicate by following the links that it met the relevant standards, ie was legal.
I'm not interested in any personal comments to any user on this forum, but am genuinely perplexed by those who accuse others of some less than genuine reasons for posting.
Michael

FollowupID: 736114

Follow Up By: Member - Rod N (QLD) - Wednesday, Aug 10, 2011 at 22:19

Wednesday, Aug 10, 2011 at 22:19

The item workhorse is referring to is an AMP-Fibian 10-15Amp adaptor This can be used when there is only a 10 amp GPO available.

FollowupID: 736115

Follow Up By: Member - The Bushwhackers -NSW - Wednesday, Aug 10, 2011 at 23:51

Wednesday, Aug 10, 2011 at 23:51

g'day Rod & Workhorse

If that is what was being discussed (Amp-Phibian) then I apologize for my outburst in that regard.

What I wouldn't apologise for is the remark about people being cynical or requiring a disclaimer .... that is just a joke. Everyone knows when someone is trying to help solve problems, and, yes, I have put "no affiliation blah, blah, blah" after some of my responses, due to the nature of this website, (people have to pay for advertising), as well as the people who visit.

If something looks like an advert, without a disclaimer, then people are sus about the info, and your comment 'that cynical people seem to require' only gets you offside with others.

Dave

FollowupID: 736118

Follow Up By: Glenndini - Thursday, Aug 11, 2011 at 07:36

Thursday, Aug 11, 2011 at 07:36

What are you on about Bushwacker? The only one "getting offside" with me, is you.

The Amp-phibian looks like a viable solution. I'll be checking into it more.
Thanks workhorse.

FollowupID: 736129

Follow Up By: Honky - Thursday, Aug 11, 2011 at 09:27

Thursday, Aug 11, 2011 at 09:27

I only see things in simple terms so please be gentle.
By the way I have no electrical training
My understanding if you try to pull 15 amps out of a 10 amp circuirt it will trip the house circuit breaker.
The way I see it if the lead is 15 amp and the caravan wiring is 15 amp there would be no danger of overheating these cables.
More of an overkill in my eyes.
I have seen old caravans that have 10 amp circuirts and these would be dangerous if you had it connected to 15 amp.
Can someone explain where the danger is?

Honky

FollowupID: 736132

Follow Up By: Dasmeg - Thursday, Aug 11, 2011 at 09:47

Thursday, Aug 11, 2011 at 09:47

Hi guys, the only difference between a 15amp and 10 amp plug is the earth pin size, genarlly the cable between is the same size, i think the larger pin size is mainly to carry a large3r fault capacity if something ever eventuated, i think but dont quote me on it is that you will find that the carvan wiring is no different to house wiring, without looking at the the australian electrical standards for caravans thats all the larger pin size is for, hope this made sense its early in the morning

FollowupID: 736135

Follow Up By: snoopyone - Thursday, Aug 11, 2011 at 09:52

Thursday, Aug 11, 2011 at 09:52

To Honky

Firstly the plugs and sockets are incompatible, you cant hook a 10 amp socket to the male connector on a van.

As you say it will trip the 10amp if it exceeds the rating.

IF THE HOUSE HAS CORRECT WORKING safety equipment.

That where the danger lies.

Some vans have 2 15amp circuits One to run the Aircon and the other for appliances.

It is also illegal to make a loop connector to run both of these off one supply cable as you are effectively running 30 amps through a 15 amp cable by doing so.

FollowupID: 736136

Follow Up By: oldtrack123 - Thursday, Aug 11, 2011 at 21:37

Thursday, Aug 11, 2011 at 21:37

HI Honky
The problem is not as simple as you seem to believe
THE 10amp power point & switch only has to meet a 10% overload.=11amps to be approved
The circuit breaker on your power point will be 16amp minimum & possibly 20amp
So that 10amp power point can be overloaded by 50% without the overload tripping .
THAT IS ONE OF THE MAIN PROBLEMS
Fire @ the outlet

The AMPfibian IS the only approved devise for that purpose
It limits the current by it's 10amp overload cutout& has other features such as weatherproofing, plug restraint etc

A lot of "experts" have seriously flawed ideas on this subject

There is NO OTHER APPROVED WAY Except to have a correctly wired 15amp power point.

Peter

FollowupID: 736181

Follow Up By: oldtrack123 - Thursday, Aug 11, 2011 at 21:54

Thursday, Aug 11, 2011 at 21:54

Hi
I just read the electrical section of their hints
Wrote by some clown who gives false & misleading advise & not in accordance with the standards.

Just enough to be dangerous in unqualified hands
OOOH yes they point out ALL such 240v work should be done by a licensed electrician, but the proceed to give just enough advise to be dangerous

BUT anything for a fast buck I suppose

Peter

FollowupID: 736182

Follow Up By: oldtrack123 - Thursday, Aug 11, 2011 at 22:10

Thursday, Aug 11, 2011 at 22:10

Hi Honky
RE:"I have seen old caravans that have 10 amp circuirts and these would be dangerous if you had it connected to 15 amp
It is quite ok to connect a van etc with a 10amp power inlet by means of a 10amp lead into a 15amp power outlet useing a 10amp lead

With one proviso, that no additions have been made to the original van wiring or appliances
The van should not be able to use more than 10amps

Peter

FollowupID: 736186

Reply By: snoopyone - Thursday, Aug 11, 2011 at 09:46

Thursday, Aug 11, 2011 at 09:46

The Ampfibian is legal to use at home where you have only a 10 amp circuit and preferably with the join out of the weather.

Nothing is legal to use in a caravan park other than 1 unbroken(as in no joins) cable between the park supply and the caravan.

So unless your Apmfibian on its own has a long enough lead to comply you cant have it in the supply line.

That is the regualtion and it goes on to specify the length of cable and its rating as to what you can use.

This has been the subject of sometimes heated debate on van forums.

There is another system in development but not ready yet, apparently.

The standard that applies is for transportable houses and not the one that applies to building sites and so rules out the HPM type multi circuit boxes as they are compliant with a different standard.

AnswerID: 462315

Follow Up By: oldtrack123 - Thursday, Aug 11, 2011 at 22:00

Thursday, Aug 11, 2011 at 22:00

Hi Snoopy
"Nothing is legal to use in a caravan park other than 1 unbroken(as in no joins) cable between the park supply and the caravan. "

Have a read of the electrical tips on the link
The "expert" who wrote it has other ideas
The Idiot actually suggests two cables as the best option for longer lengths!!!

Peter

FollowupID: 736184

Follow Up By: snoopyone - Friday, Aug 12, 2011 at 08:42

Friday, Aug 12, 2011 at 08:42

Hi Oldtrack After all the kerfuffle about these I think you nad I have a fair grasp of the rules.

I simply cant believe what some "think" is legal.

Havent bothered to read the "rubbish"

Hope its his kids that pick up a wet joint out of the grass one morning.

He may change his ideas a bit.

FollowupID: 736196