Caravan Hook-Up Point Earthing.

broadgage:

A TT earth loop reading of 1.41 ohms is in my view just about possible if the TT system includes large steel lighting columns that give an excellent connection to true earth.

The next more distant hook-up point (300+ metres away) had a loop reading of about 150 Ohms. It was earthed by a large redundant metal light column and a smaller metal pole as well.


Z.

gkenyon:

If you suspect not TT, possibly Regulation 525.202 volt-drop before we go anywhere else ... but if the lighting columns are not on the same earthing system Regulation 411.3.1.1

 

I turned a blind eye to Volt drop as the club needs income from caravan rental for holiday makers. I did tell the manager's wife that each van will be restricted to about 10 Amps max. I thought "safety first". The flood lights will not be used during the caravanning season so the full supply will be available for the caravans. I decided to TT earth the hook up point sockets to play safe and to complete the mission. But then I remembered that I had to locate the new earth rod well away from what was probably a metal TN-C-S earthed lighting column. So I ran a green and yellow conductor in some white plastic conduit, ( to make it obvious and prevent damage) on the ground along a tree line to distance the earth rod away from the lighting column. About 4 metres seemed to do the job. That was my concern, the distance.


Z.

perspicacious:
I came to the first twin 16 Amp caravan hook-up point. It had a single R.C.D. and two blue sockets 

What then was my concern?


That the RCD served 2 socket-outlets?


Regards


BOD

Yes the single R.C.D. was a concern, but please see the post above.


Z.

Zoomup:

I am not convinced that the new "interlocked" blue caravan site hook-ups are essential, and replacement of existing traditional types is required. 708.55.1.1.


Have we had any reports of injuries or fatalities by anyone using a correctly installed old style blue caravan socket on a site?


Thoughts please?


Z.

You have answered your own question Z. You don’t need me to remind you of the purpose of periodic inspection! I have two sites on the County Down coast with well over 500 static caravans between them. Many still have rather agricultural means of making final connections. The touring pitches all have the 16A blue sockets mounted on wooden stakes. All mounted at around 400mm from the ground. Following remedial work for other things, I issued the EICR with a satisfactory designation as I felt that there were no issues that gave rise to danger in that regard. 

lyledunn:

Zoomup:

I am not convinced that the new "interlocked" blue caravan site hook-ups are essential, and replacement of existing traditional types is required. 708.55.1.1.


Have we had any reports of injuries or fatalities by anyone using a correctly installed old style blue caravan socket on a site?


Thoughts please?


Z.

You have answered your own question Z. You don’t need me to remind you of the purpose of periodic inspection! I have two sites on the County Down coast with well over 500 static caravans between them. Many still have rather agricultural means of making final connections. The touring pitches all have the 16A blue sockets mounted on wooden stakes. All mounted at around 400mm from the ground. Following remedial work for other things, I issued the EICR with a satisfactory designation as I felt that there were no issues that gave rise to danger in that regard. 

Yes Lyle, I recently carried out an inspection and test for a cash strapped sports' charity that looks after young people via football etc. It gives the youngsters an interest and keeps them out of trouble. The club is allowed just five caravan pitches to earn a modest income. I did not like the idea of failing the hook-up points just because they were of the old style. They were sound and undamaged. The R.C.D.s work fine. There are minor concerns, but I considered them to be o.k. for continued use. They are safe in my opinion. If there was any hint of danger I would condemn them.


651.1


651.2 Note 2.


Z.