electric sockets - inside and out

[ValP1]

I know the basic electrics for household sockets but I'm going to fit an extra socket inside the van, near the cooker, for the kettle and an outside socket to the van for inside the awning. I've bought a waterproof outside socket, flush with the van, for inside the awning (unlike a standard household double socket I saw on a van in Kendal this weekend - 2" proud of the outside of the van!) Any advice? Any problems? What junction box would I need? 10amp or 30 amp?

Advice welcomed.

 

[mike_374361599]

i would go with the high amp junction box as kettles can pull alot of amps,

as for any problem there shouldnt be any aslong as you know the basics and double check what youve done,

reguards mike

 

[mistermac]

Hi

I'm no electrician but common sense suggests that you go for the 30amp socket - you are drawing a maximum of 16amps from the site, aren't you? Like Mike says, a kettle, microwave, heater can draw a lot of current.

I bet there's no difference in price anyhow.

As for the standing proud externally mounted socket.... it's great walking round sites and seeing what some people actually do...we should have a new thread, don't you think?

Mac

 

[RonD]

A few years ago I was looking around a commercial site in S Wales and noticed an older van with an ordinary 13A socket screwed to the A frame. I asked the owner if it was an extra (external) power socket. Oh no, he said, I've wired the van myself and that's the mains input socket..... which means....his mains lead presmably has a 16A blue plug on one end, and a 13A plug with live pins on the other!! I hope he remembered to plug the 13A one in first!! Unbelievable.

 

[RichardJ]

Hi Mate

Do not use a junction box, wire the new internal socket from an existing socket, using the existing colour codes as a guide, the outside socket... again wire in from and existing socket and attach the socket to the underneath section witht the spring section of teh lid pointing to the front of the van, that way protecting the lid from flying stones etc.

All sockets are rated at 13 amp, remember that most sites are only 10 - 16amp, switch off any high current taking items before plugging others in.

Oh use 2.5mm 3 core cable to add the extra sockets, drilling through the floor for the outside socket, hence protecting the cable.