You can no longer post new replies to this discussion. If you have a question you can start a new discussion
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.
The reference to BS EN 60529:1992 in the EBay advert is just flannel, the “standard” is the IP rating chart, not actually an indication of what it’s IP rating is or anything else for that matter.
However BS7671 requires cables within caravans to be flame retardant to BS EN 60332-1-2, I can find H07RN-F to that standard, but not “Artic grade” PVC insulated cable which is stated as complying with BS EN 50265, which appears to be an older version of the same standard, but presumably doesn’t guarantee compliance?
To cut to the chase, what cable is suitable for the internal use in a caravan?
Is it the H07RN-F that is also suitable for the external supply lead?
Is there suitable PVC insulated flex and in particular is “Artic cable” suitable for internal use within a caravan, regards being flame retardant?
PVC cables are not suitable for being left in standing water ...
I don't think we'd expect hook-up leads to be immersed in water for extended periods ... if site conditions were that bad then the PVC sheath on the SWA cables supplying the hookups are going to be in far more trouble. For one case of someone throwing a hook-up cable through a pond to supply a seasonal pitch, there must be millions of cases of the grass being cut or others walking around the pitch.
- Andy.
PVC sheathed armoured cables are suitable, PVC flex is not.
PVC used for T&E and flex is semi-permeable. It's at best splashproof. Sitting in a puddle for a period of time is enough.
I have first-hand experience of someone running H05VV-F through an underground duct, to supply CCTV cameras, and asking me why RCDs were tripping after only 2 days. They were sat in well under half an inch of water for a very short distance, certainly under 300 mm of cable length.
PVC cables are not suitable for being left in standing water ...
I don't think we'd expect hook-up leads to be immersed in water for extended periods ... if site conditions were that bad then the PVC sheath on the SWA cables supplying the hookups are going to be in far more trouble. For one case of someone throwing a hook-up cable through a pond to supply a seasonal pitch, there must be millions of cases of the grass being cut or others walking around the pitch.
Good evening sir, no I don't, but when I find a job I will hopefully buy one, its been a dream of mine for many years. But for now I must stick to caravaning.
If you have a look for caravan electrical equipment and cables on the internet you will soon realise hardly anything on offer actually complies with the requirements of the Wiring Regulations BS7671.
Or indeed BS 7671 doesn't comply with accepted good practice in the caravanning sector - the vast majority of electric hook-up leads are bright orange - so they can be seen clearly against the grass and so greatly reduce the chances of trips or being mowed over ... yet BS 7671 demands rubber types (H05RN-F or H07RN-F or equivalent) which as far as I can tell are only available in matt black.
And as for attempting to apply the general requirements of BS 7671 on top of A721 for the 12V system is a complete non-starter.
- Andy.
PVC cables are not suitable for being left in standing water ...
So I wouldn't necessarily say that it's BS 7671 not complying with good practice - and also consider that we are talking about the implementation of an HD here. So, an assembled product complying with LVD should comply with relevant ENs and HDs unless the manufacturer self-certifies otherwise ?
Agree on visibility, and also would like to point out there's a huge price difference between H0xRN-F and H0xVV-F.
