electrical surges

[clive_5040082]

Has anyone experienced damage to electrical components like printed circuit boards in their caravan as a result of electrical surges in the supply or lightning close by?

I am contemplating having a spur surge protection box rated at 13 amps fitted to the incoming mains of my van which hopefully will prevent any damage as a result of a surge. It has happened to me twice in France on 2 seperate occassions in differnet vans.

First time damaged a PCB to one of the motor movers and the PCB on the fridge. Second time it was the built in battery charger and PCB on the fire. Any advise would be appreciated.

 

[Cockovan]

Hi Clive,

I can't help thinking you have been particularly unlucky.

We have toured France (and further) for 15 years now and never had a problem. However if you are sure it is a surge that has caused it a surge protecter should help prevent further occurance, although I am not sure where you would fit it, before or after an RCD. Could it be that the polarity was wrong on those sites? In my experience this is much more common.

 

[Rod_5041370]

Lightning damage to electrics is quite common in France and home insurance companies usual demand that a lightning arrester (parafoudre) is installed where the mains enters the house.

 

[clive_5040082]

Thanks Alan, I always check the polarity and carry a reversing lead to ensure correct polarity from the start, so not that. Hopefully a qualified electrician will tell me the correct place to have it wired in either before or after the RCD, I have no idea.

 

[vernon]

Clive,

Were you using the mover with the mains lead attached?

I find it strange that a mains voltage surge could damage your motor mover PCB? My mover switch is positioned so as to prevent me switching it on with the mains lead connected.

Pwrwheel say if you use the mover with the mains connected you risk blowing the battery charger due to the volt drop at the battery caused by the mover load.

 

[clive_5040082]

Thanks Vernon, the van was static with the mover switch in the off position. The second time it happened we were on a farm site and all the trips had tripped as well A nearby static van had a couple of electrical items blown as well.