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Removing Plug Under Load. Does it really matter?

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BS7671: What are the requirements for caravan electrical hook ups (EHU)? - Bing video


Does it really matter?


And.......are modern caravans really "large metal boxes" these days? Or are they more of an electrically insulating  large glass fibre (G.R.P.) covered frame with few touchable metal parts?


Also, should their metal chassis and internals really be bonded, does that really increase safety?


We see few, if any, real metal covered caravans like this in the U.K.

https://www.bing.com/videos/search?q=youtube+airstream+caravan&docid=608025708304140408&mid=60AAF07E4E57C782FD0E60AAF07E4E57C782FD0E&view=detail&FORM=VIRE


Z.
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    If you have a look on Ebay you may be able to get one of the pre-used ambulance plug and socket units that eject the plug when you turn the ignition on if you have not already unplugged it.
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    Sparkingchip:

    If you have a look on Ebay you may be able to get one of the pre-used ambulance plug and socket units that eject the plug when you turn the ignition on if you have not already unplugged it.


    Yes, also used on fire engines to keep the engine warm and the starter batteries fully charged. This applies to the new fangled fire engine powered by "compression ignition, heavy oil engines"


    Some steam fire engines used a gas ring to keep the boiler hot. Even without this feature, steam could be raised in 90 seconds.


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    Something I have a little experience of.


    My wife was enquiring why I was getting up at half past five in the morning, I replied because Ivan the builder is picking me up at six to go and move a temporary fire station.


    Because there was work to do at several fire stations the surveyor bought the biggest metal framed party tent  on Ebay that was big enough to park a fire engine in to keep it warm, dry and ready to go.


    It was a real bargain at just over a grand including postage and packing and survived tour of a couple of counties being used at half dozen fire stations.
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    Removing Plug Under Load. Does it really matter?

    Table 537.4 tells us that BS EN 60309 plugs/sockets up to 32A are OK for switching - so I guess the answer has to be no on that score.


    I guess the point is not to have the socket contacts live when there's not a plug in the socket as BS EN 60309 sockets aren't shuttered - so providing the sort of level of protection that people are used to at home (and of course kids play around unused hookup points in caravan parks just like they play at home). Of course it can be defeated by leaving the other end of the hookup lead lying on the ground - although following the usual instructions (e.g. Fig 721) should prevent that (motorhome owners please note!). I guess it's a similar situation to unshuttered appliance connectors at home - but we'd still objects to an unshuttered wall socket.


     
    And.......are modern caravans really "large metal boxes" these days? Or are they more of an electrically insulating large glass fibre (G.R.P.) covered frame with few touchable metal parts?

    Some smaller ones are certainly just a GRP box - which no little or no metallic connection between the chassis and anything inside (on ours even the metallic gas pipes have insulating saddles where they run under the floor). The chassis is easily touched at the hitch and wheels though - so I wouldn't like to see it PME bonded even accidentally.  Larger caravans still typically have an aluminium outer skin - which may well have some contact with the chassis.


      - Andy.



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