Gas locker electrics ?

[Chrisbee]

I need to fit a junction box to convert my current twin plug system to 13 pin. The easiest place to fit the junction box would be the gas locker. I know that switches, elecrical items etc. shouldn't be fitted but what about a junction box? I don't see it as being any less safe than the existing wiring that already runs through it. Anybody got any thoughts?

 

[robin munro]

Hi,

My gas locker has a factory fitted light, so I don't see a problem with fitting your junction box.

 

[xtrailman]

I would keep clear of the gas locker, buy a IP51 minimum plastic box, very cheap from toolstation, (just bought two for out door use).

Get one that will fit inside the A frame, and secure with tie wraps, smear the connectors (suggest 15amp)with silicon grease, or vaseline.

 

[Bazz1]

Chrisbee, have you tried your local trailer hire shop or the Indespension dealers. They tend to sell bits and pieces like water proof jiont boxes for this very thing. I would fix the jiont box under the front of the van and run your new cable from there. Remember to provide some sort of secure fixings for the new cable as it leaves the jiont box and thruogh out its length, Bazz.

 

[Damian]

The best place to put a junction box would be inside the van under the front seat, where the present wiring enters the van.

Under current regulations, NO electrics of any kind, with the exception of gas control equipment, is allowed in gas lockers, not even sidelights or locker lights.

Some manufacturers fit a light on the A frame cover for illumination inside the locker, but some have them inside the locker, which when it comes to testing the electrics would cause problems.

Before lots of people reply that their van has setup etc, I know,,,,(in fact there is not a van that has has been built in the past, now, or will be in the short term that meets the current regulations) but it is all changing and in the very near future, all vans will have to comply with the regulations.

Manufacturers and their electrical suppliers are having to rethink the present harness system to ensure compliance.

Under current regulations any wires running through a gas locker must be at a height of less than 500mm, and be in a gas tight conduit

 

[robin munro]

Hi,

I retract my last post>

 

[xtrailman]

damian

Can you explain the logic behind your last paragraph, as the gas goes to the bottom of the locker, it would make more sense to keep cables ABOVE 500mm, i would of thought?

 

[Chrisbee]

Thanks Damian for your information. Ideally I wanted to fit the junction box under the front seat but was loathe to drill extra holes in the floor to take the 13 core cable and possibly a 7 core. From what I can remember (the van is in storage some distance away),the7N cable runs directly to the rear of the van underneath and up between the rear panel and fixed bed and I guess the front light cable runs internally back to the front with the cables reappearing and running through the gas locker. I'll have to go and take another look

 

[Damian]

Ray, "quote Can you explain the logic behind your last paragraph,"

Please do not think this is MY logic, it most certainly is not.

Tha quoted is from BS7671 (721.58.3.5)

I actually agree with you, above 500mm would seem better, but I suppose that as the cable has to be in a very specific type of gas tight conduit, it kind of makes sense,,,,,,I think

 

[xtrailman]

Cheers damian, i would of thought if gas tight conduit was used, its location shouldn't matter?

 

[forestgump]

dont get hung up on drilling a hole in floor,just make sure no pipes or wires in way use a gland nut or sealant'You can ron wires along a tube or a off cut off waste pipe for added protection.