I in the middle of sorting out my mains hook up after it all melted last year
What i've done so far is to re-run all the cable with twin & earth 2.5mm2. I have fitted 1 socket which has a built in rcd. what i'm after doing is fitting a double pole mcb, so i can control the mains coming into the van. The only thing i dont know is what size mcb i need. I'm only running the fridge, battery charge and what ever huge amp drawing device the missus decides to plug in!
I don't know what the fridge draws or the battery charging circuit any ideas?
site sockets are limited to 16A and your cable is rated above that so I would use (I have used) a 16A DP MCB. Make sure all your cable downstream of the MCB up to the next fuse is also better than 16A.
Just remember that you fuse to protect cable/terminals, not the equipment.
The fridge (a 3 way?) is typically about 100W so 100W/240V = about 0,4Amps. The thing to be wary of are newer kettles at 3kW. 3000/240 = almost 13 Amps!
Dave
member 1701
schnecke' my van, an 84 1,9 watercooled hi-top
I also bought the same garage uniut as above, and have fitted it, and iot works!!!
Cheap, good quality, 2 breakers included, I have 2 single sockets running from the 16 amp one, and the other (6 amp I think) controls the lighting circuit (for lighting circuit, read 12" b and q strip light)
Obviously, mine is wired up to meet PART P of the building regulations!!!
Cheers
Munnyella
My only toy now is a broken T25 and a sack full of BMX bikes. How the mighty have fallen (or got sensibler!!)
you should really have your installation wired in flex rather than twin and earth, as it is not flexible and the vibrations of the vehicle can cause connections to become loose!
you should have an rcd as your incoming protection device, as otherwise your installation is not protected just what ever you plug in to it!
and as for part p! just another way of making sure us sparkies are not trying to earn a bit of cash at the weekend! but not applicable to your van as it is a mobile installation and not a building!
i'm going to run all the other electrics ( 3way fridge and battery charging circuit) through another rcd. The advice i was given was i could use an mcb double pole to control the mains coming into the van and then run the circuits i want through rcd's as required and to the rcd socket i have fitted. It made sense with the double pole mcb as if you have a fualt on either live or neutral it will trip. Ordered my stuff now!!!
an MCB gives over current protection only. The RCD give YOU protection. This should be the primary means of disconnecting the incomer as early as possible. If you mount the RCD downstream you will still have power at all the points up to it.
Dave
member 1701
schnecke' my van, an 84 1,9 watercooled hi-top
