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Caravan hook up
Former Community Member
Hi I am fitting a caravan hook up on the wall next to the dno incomer box. No wires exposed. Do I still require an earth rod. The earth bond will be prob 1 ft long inside so not exposed. I know if I fit the box away using swa then yes earth rod would be used.
With respect, I think that Gino needs to learn a bit more about earthing.
I don't understand why SWA is proposed as a cable type - it does not appear to be exposed to any environmental hazards.
The problem with using the DNO's earth is, as Andy pointed out, that it is unlawful. It is unlawful because of the rare, but potentially lethal issue of a broken 'PEN' (= protective earth and neutral) conductor.
If it happened indoors, everything stops working, but the voltage of everything which is electrically connected can rise to mains voltage. Now if you touch your bright shiny kettle, you have the voltage across yourself to the kitchen floor; but you are wearing shoes and the kitchen floor also insulates you from the ground. If the same happens in a caravan, the whole thing including the chassis and other metal structural parts go up towards mains voltage. That may include a rail or handle by the door. This time, when you step out, your hand is at mains voltage and you may step onto wet ground so the resistance of the circuit can be much lower. If you aren't wearing shoes and the caravan site is bare (wet) ground, the problem may be a lot worse again.
So that's why you need a separate earthing system, which includes an earth rod.
With respect, I think that Gino needs to learn a bit more about earthing.
I don't understand why SWA is proposed as a cable type - it does not appear to be exposed to any environmental hazards.
The problem with using the DNO's earth is, as Andy pointed out, that it is unlawful. It is unlawful because of the rare, but potentially lethal issue of a broken 'PEN' (= protective earth and neutral) conductor.
If it happened indoors, everything stops working, but the voltage of everything which is electrically connected can rise to mains voltage. Now if you touch your bright shiny kettle, you have the voltage across yourself to the kitchen floor; but you are wearing shoes and the kitchen floor also insulates you from the ground. If the same happens in a caravan, the whole thing including the chassis and other metal structural parts go up towards mains voltage. That may include a rail or handle by the door. This time, when you step out, your hand is at mains voltage and you may step onto wet ground so the resistance of the circuit can be much lower. If you aren't wearing shoes and the caravan site is bare (wet) ground, the problem may be a lot worse again.
So that's why you need a separate earthing system, which includes an earth rod.
