The new EHU bollards that automatically trip the corresponding outlet MCB when unplugged are a good idea implemented by the CAMC. The only problem as witnessed today is that if the site has a mixture of old and new bollards this leads to confusion and complacency resulting in energised cables and reels being left lying on wet grass. I have informed the office where we're staying.
NEW EHU BOLLARDS.
- Thread starter Slowtow
- Start date
I don't think it's confusion causing it. People have always left cables plugged in to the bollard and lying on wet grass
I thought the new style bollards (certainly on other sites go dead once disconnected from either end (bollard or van)
I rang the office and explained this was a dangerous practice but the lady seemed indifferent. Eventually two motorhomes showed up and presumably the people grabbed hold of live wet cables without a care in the world🤦
Whilst accepting it is bad practice, how actually "dangerous" is it with the RCD protection?
Probably the cardiac health of the person who picks it up plays a significant part in the risks involved?
Probably the cardiac health of the person who picks it up plays a significant part in the risks involved?
Mel
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- Mar 17, 2007
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I have wondered this. I agree that it is bad practice, and I am in no way condoning it; but assuming the cable is intact ( perhaps a big assumption) and the user does not shove their fingers ( tongue, toes or any other part of their anatomy) into the socket, then what is the actual risk of electrocution?
Mel
- Jul 18, 2017
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The risk is that children may well ignore your assumptions, as suggested above.
When I fitted mains electrics in my first caravan, I employed an electrician to test it, he claimed that the RCD would act quickly enough to stop someone being electrocuted - but he declined to demonstrate that!
IMO, you at least employed someone sensible in this regard.
However, these RCD used by our clubs must surely have been type tested in areas that explore how safe they are, and that's basically my question to understand the risk there are with our EHU leads?
That said we really need to develop a culture not to add to any risks certainly any with so potential fatal consequences, technical kit can go wrong.
Edit The charity Electrical Safety First "found that fixed RCDs are about 97% reliable". That guides us on the reliability of the mechanics of them, leaving how safety wise will be their assumed response time here of 30mSeconds devices?
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Does anyone know of any documented incidents of someone getting an electric shock in the circumstances being discussed?
The RCD on the EHU bollard should provide protection in the event someone touches part of a a live EHU cable .
A far more worrying Electrical issue is folk who plug their van in to the mains at home; most homes in the UK us a PME / TNCS earth system, this involve the combined neutral and protective earth conductor, which is safe for permanent buildings but poses a risk to caravans. A fault in the PME system could energise a caravan's metalwork, leading to a dangerous shock hazard if connected to the mains supply, no RCD will protect against this situation.
I do plug my van in at home, but with the addition of an earth rod to which the van is attached, effectively creating a TT earth, same as most sites will use.
A far more worrying Electrical issue is folk who plug their van in to the mains at home; most homes in the UK us a PME / TNCS earth system, this involve the combined neutral and protective earth conductor, which is safe for permanent buildings but poses a risk to caravans. A fault in the PME system could energise a caravan's metalwork, leading to a dangerous shock hazard if connected to the mains supply, no RCD will protect against this situation.
I do plug my van in at home, but with the addition of an earth rod to which the van is attached, effectively creating a TT earth, same as most sites will use.
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- Sep 4, 2011
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It is a bad habit of Motorhome owners. Just come home from 2 weeks away and first week had rain every day. We noticed motorhomes when going out just pulled leads out and left them lying on the ground all day with torrential rain. Not one of them disconnected from the Bollards. Anyone with a bit of sense would disconnect lead from Bollard and roll up and put away to keep dry until returning,
What I'm seeing is many rental Motorhomes, which may explain why some people haven't a clue.
See a number on this trip with the lead not fully unrolled and stored on top of a wheel...under the wheel arch.
I'm also a bit fussy about my lead. I plug it into the van first and bollard last. Reverse the procedure when disconnecting.
See a number on this trip with the lead not fully unrolled and stored on top of a wheel...under the wheel arch.
I'm also a bit fussy about my lead. I plug it into the van first and bollard last. Reverse the procedure when disconnecting.
So do I, and using a cable reel like LINK, it is the least hassle solution with that routine being the natural outcome.
Well at least if you have originally set it up the right way round, otherwise its wrong every time, as unfortunately they have in the link!
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- Jun 20, 2005
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Sam said I'm also a bit fussy about my lead. I plug it into the van first and bollard last. Reverse the procedure when disconnecting
From my first ever caravanning experience , that to this day remains the only correct method.
I wonder how many of these miscreants have picked up the wet cable and felt a tingle 🙀
From my first ever caravanning experience , that to this day remains the only correct method.
I wonder how many of these miscreants have picked up the wet cable and felt a tingle 🙀
- Feb 13, 2024
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Children should be supervised by their parents, not the camp wardens.Have you taken a nosy child into consideration?
- Jun 20, 2005
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Totally unsuited for an EV charging station, around here it would have been chosen for a new housing estate
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