Can anyone tell me the maximum realistic length of an EHU cable or combination of cables? The site I'm thinking of booking for next year appears to have the best pitches (for me at any rate) quite some distance from the nearest bollards.
EHU cables
- Thread starter chrisbee1
- Start date
Damian
Moderator
The recommendation is a max of 25mtrs.
However I am sure others will tell you that it is ok to have two and plug them together.
The danger of that is there is a potentially weak point at the junction of the two cables and volt drop along a longer length
However I am sure others will tell you that it is ok to have two and plug them together.
The danger of that is there is a potentially weak point at the junction of the two cables and volt drop along a longer length
The actual length of run of the hook up lead from the site pillar is 20m . Thats if the site has been wired to the electrical regulations BS 7671 2008 max lenght of the caravan hook up lead is 25m.
So really if you need to use more than 25m the site does not comply to the electrical regulations.So ask for a discount? or a copy of the sites Periodic electrical inspection report. Caravan club sites all have there PIRs avalible.
So really if you need to use more than 25m the site does not comply to the electrical regulations.So ask for a discount? or a copy of the sites Periodic electrical inspection report. Caravan club sites all have there PIRs avalible.
On CL sites the owners often obliged with the loan of a extra mains lead. So two are used.G Stockton said:
While this is not ideal it happens quite often, and i for one have no intention of ragging the owners by quoting or asking for PIRs.
There is usually a choice, park closer to the ballard? Or don't have EU, i prefer electric so go with the flow.
Every year we go with the C & CC on rallies in Europe and its not unusual to have the instruction that you may need an extra long lead
In fact on our favourite pitch in Sarzeau I always need 2 leads joined together
I carry 25m lead and one half the length so I can use either long or short or both
You can get a container designed for the job from caravan dealers
Its not high pressure electric after all
In fact on our favourite pitch in Sarzeau I always need 2 leads joined together
I carry 25m lead and one half the length so I can use either long or short or both
You can get a container designed for the job from caravan dealers
Its not high pressure electric after all
We have two EHU cables we need tow cables where we park our caravan at home and as we've been to sites where due to how the site is laid out and how other units are parked you have to go around other pitches and equipment to get to the supply even if it is close enough. The second cable also helps at times as we can run it out of the way of where that car has to be parked. On European sites that have a poorer supply we've not had any problems using two cables.
Chris
Chris
Parksy
Moderator
We visited the Chertsey C&CC site about five years ago shortly after it was re landscaped and modernised. The ehu bollards were so far away fron the pitches where we were that we had to hire an extra ehu cable from the site wardens at reception with a returnable deposit.
I don't know if anything was done later to move the bollards closer to the pitches because we haven't been back since then.
I don't know if anything was done later to move the bollards closer to the pitches because we haven't been back since then.
If you are really concerned then find the resistance of the cable and ...............
don't bother just wait till it gets dark and if the wire is glowing red then you are overloading it,
Sorry I was just joking.
don't bother just wait till it gets dark and if the wire is glowing red then you are overloading it,
Sorry I was just joking.
Hooked up to a bollard on site in France. My lead was only just long enough. Went out for the day and when we got back, they'd renewed the bollard, and the new one was just 3ft too far away! I'm afraid the electrical inspectors would not have approved my lash-up to gain that 3ft, but it was easier than moving the van!
On a rally in France we were asked to help a newcomer set up his new Avondale Caravan with his new Freelander to set the picture
We got to him just as he was plugging in to the electric
He had plugged into the site box before connecting to the caravan and from the wet grass he was about to pick up the other end of the cable to which he had fitted a 13 amp domestic plug
He was then going to insert that into the awning 230V out socket to power up the van
On questioning him a sealed plastic bag with new mains cable was produced and we persuaded him to use that instead !!
Another non approved lash up
We got to him just as he was plugging in to the electric
He had plugged into the site box before connecting to the caravan and from the wet grass he was about to pick up the other end of the cable to which he had fitted a 13 amp domestic plug
He was then going to insert that into the awning 230V out socket to power up the van
On questioning him a sealed plastic bag with new mains cable was produced and we persuaded him to use that instead !!
Another non approved lash up
Good job you were there John, that could of been lethal. However thats why we all muck in and help each other where possible - Especially newcomers to caravanning.
Chris.
Chris.
When the steward asked us to help he said that they were short tempered with each other and that things could get fiery
Many a true word
Many a true word
Thanks for the replies. The site in question is an "a la ferme" in France which only has 4 EHU's on one bollard central to the field although I prefer to be at the field edge. I wont be drawing much current, fridge and battery charger only. I think I might risk two cables joined together.
Damian-Moderator said:
The danger isn't a weak point at all. Where the danger lies is in having a 240V plug and socket lying on the floor. First of all the is the possability that the socket will get affected by damp and there is risk of electric shock. Next is the trip hazard presented to fellow site users again from the 60mm diameter plug and socket left unguarded on the floor.
If you do need to run a longer cable than the recommended 25Mtrs then have one made up to length as a one piece cable.
The longest standard 240 volt extension reel commercialy available is in fact 50Mtrs (see screwfix and B&Q web sites). Under Health & Safety Executive guidelines, if you are using mains electric on a public site, then they recomend that a 1Mtr cable of 240V be used to a transformer producing a max voltage of 110V for flex lead powered appliances.
There has to be common sense applied to loose cables on the ground, for example route your cable away from walking routes and do not cross vehicle routes.
In my working capacity I have to set my caravan up on farms for 6 wks or so to build poultry units. To gain access to electricity, I have got a 50Mtr cable with a 13amp plug (household type) and a socket to suit our caravan. Being an electrician, I did check the voltage drop and there was less than 4 volts which is still better than the continental 230V.
BTW as a safety measure, I use orange lead and place identification notices every 10Mtrs so that people can see the cable route.
Just remember. Electricity is the silent blind odourless killer!!!!!!!
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