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13A Socket below and to the rear of a dual fuel stove with rear vent

Charles Carter

We have a motorhome that had a dual fuel stove (3x gas & 1x electric ring and electric fan oven) and the 13A socket has been installed on the wall below the oven section of the stove.  The sides of the stove go all the way to the floor.  Because it's got a gas grill and oven there is  vent at the rear of the hob to allow excess heat to escape from the rear of the stove.

The socket is 100mm above the floor but the floor is vented to the outside to comply with the gas regulations so I think the height shouldn't be an issue.

The issue is when a pan boils over the liquid can get down the back of the stove and onto the 13A socket which trips the RCD.  The manufacture claims the motorhome has passed all the relevant electrical checks but to me this just doesn't seam correct. 

Is there a regulations / compliance  document that would cover this installation and, if not compliant, could be used to encourage the manufacturer to perform a modification to make the installation compliant?

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    There  is (perhaps unsurprising) no electrical reg that specifically calls up 13A sockets behind ovens in caravans

    There are more general catch all clauses  about good workmanship and things being installed in a way suitable for the environment, but you can argue the exact meaning of that all day, and some folk will.

    However, clearly in practice there is a problem, and perhaps spilling things on the stove is something that could have been foreseen in the design.

    Mean while, is the plug ever removed from the socket, or would it have been better hard wired,

    (https://www.tlc-direct.co.uk/Products/CB4506.html)

     or is there scope to do something with some mastic to at least seal the socket body to the wall ?

    Really it sounds like it needs a better location

    Mike

     

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    Why would anyone fit a dual fuel cooker in a motorhome?

    Wrong cooker.

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    Are you suggesting it should burn petrol or diesel ?

    Army has such things but they are not terribly convenient. 

    Mike

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    Part of it uses LPG, there’s no reason why all of it should not, but obvious reasons why it should.

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    Sparkingchip: 
     

     

    Why would anyone fit a dual fuel cooker in a motorhome?

    Wrong cooker.

    For practicality and economy. LPG from a cylinder carried on board is always available but rather expensive. Electricity when available at a camp ground is often "free" or at least included in the already paid camping fee. Electricity supply may be restricted to 16 amps or less, hence the need for gas in addition for preparing large meals.

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    Why would anyone fit a dual fuel cooker in a motorhome?

    I see that being very popular - option to use the site's electricity when available (usually the electricity is “free”, less in the way of fumes in the confined space, and even possibly greener (if the electricity comes from renewables, and as a backup if the gas runs out), while the gas option is still available if you're in a field with no EHU.

    We've got a 4-ring has hob in our little caravan but usually end up using a 2-ring plug-in induction hob instead.

       - Andy.

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    Sparkingchip: 
     

     

    Why would anyone fit a dual fuel cooker in a motorhome?

    Wrong cooker.

    Academic question, it's what's fitted in most motorhomes and top end caravans as standard these days.

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    Hi Mike,  my thought exactly and cheers for the feedback.

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    I bet the gas hobs have a spill tray under them, whilst the electric hob is flat glass.

     

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    The issue is when a pan boils over the liquid can get down the back of the stove and onto the 13A socket which trips the RCD.

    Might the problem be with the fitting (or design) of the hob - such that it allows spilt liquid to escape the cooking area like that - even if the socket wasn't there it would be likely to do damage to other things anyway.

       - Andy.

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