240v lead connections water proof?

[MikeB_374236518]

At some sites in France I had the reverse polarity and the two pin extension leads attached to my main 240v lead and was wondering if the connections where waterproof. If not how do you cover them?

Any ideas?

 

[JTQ]

Mike, They most definitely are not waterproof and in heavy rain I have know my leads trip out the posts RCD. Would not be a problem generally on the ground as long as its not flooded as I found its water running down the cable is the problem. So I have wound insulating tape to make things much better sealed at the cable entry. And I carry a big John Lewis bag my wife got clothes in and put this over the bollard; I place the coupler on top of the bollard first to make sure its well covered. I use a short elastic cord to secure the handles so its not blown off.

A dustbin liner would do but this bag is thicker material; so of the eco-reusable bags might be better.

 

[BigAl1]

Are the bollard connections waterproof on any site, UK or Foreign?

 

[WatsonJohnG]

I put the "2pin" adapter at one end and the reverse polarity blue socket to blue plug adapter at the other end inside the awning or under the van off the floor

If the entry for the cable to the plug/socket is in a good grommit or sealed with silicone then the join between 2 cableplugs should br OK if its off the ground

Don't wrap it in plastic bags etc as this causes condensation

Cover with an upturned bucket etc so that air can circulate if its very bad weather

 

[GStockton]

The BS 4343 or ceeform is designed for outdoor use and rated to IP 44, assuming they are fitted correctly. But in my job I see some very poorly fitted ones by DIYers. Not a Problem why panic just leave them out in the rain

 

[JTS]

G is spot on. They are not waterproof as such but are splash-proof and are quite safe to leave outside even in heavy rain. They are not designed to be imersed in water so keep them free of puddles etc. Bollards are meant to be left exposed and are well earthed and insulated. If you get a problem it is probably bad fitting. Cover nothing, especially with plastic.

 

[JTQ]

The cause of problems is that the commercial continental to blue euro adaptors I have ever purchased have only been about 250 to 300 mm long so they only hang vertically, euro coupling down enabling water to track down the cable. The pull through gland fitted on these has proved unable to stop enough water seeping in to trip RCD.

Not only once did this happen with my UK purchased one but I then purchased another in France and only a year later had exactly the same problem with that one.

 

[GStockton]

Jtq. the best way around this then is remove the 16amp blue plug from the lead and replace it with the European plug whilst you are abroard. A right pain I know but at least it is right without all the adaptors etc