Removing Plug Under Load. Does it really matter?

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.

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.