Do I need an earth?

[meggles]

I have just about completed the 240v wiring on my van. I have spoken to two electricians about the need for an earth. One said I need to earth the "House service unit" to the body. The other said definately not!!! They are both "household" electricians! I know I will get the correct answer on here. Anyone able to give me the definitive answer please? Looked on WIKI but can't work it all out! (I have 3 core cable with the earth going back to the unit fom each socket).
Thanks

[weldore]

dont think it was ever decided mate ..i havnt...maybe i should have

[AngeloEvs]

Van chassis should be earthed via the RCD, mine is and factory fitted not a mod. In the event of a fault whilst in the vehicle you would be ok, step out of it and come into contact with the body you would be at risk. Probably find that it is earthed indirectly via the three way fridge which is tied to Earth via the 240V element and the fridge body which is in contact to the vans chassis via securing screws, etc.

[weldore]

my fridge is 12v and gas ...should there be an earth on the rcd itself coz i dont remember seeing one?

[paulweld]

Hi guys i would say earth to the chassis of van from the rcd unit as the earth is done via the hook up lead which runs back to the campsite rcd ( the hook up point ) and therefore if the body is not earthed then it as to go somewere ! if there is a short so probley through you etc ! being earthed to chassis it will trip back to the van rcd and the campsites rcd ( the hook up point ) but guys i am not an electrician ok but this what i think is correct and how i have done a number of vws and caravans with no problems ! ( when i say think is correct i have read info about this ! )

[weldore]

im sure on mine the cable runs from the hook up to the rcd...the earth only has a side connector in the rcd box that doesnt go to the unit itself,it just connects the earth from the live side to the load side..so im guessing i should run another earth from this connector to the bodywork...?...yes?...i dont fancy ending up blacker than me toast does

[AngeloEvs]

I have just fitted a new RCD and the Earth connection has been connected to the Earth Pin of the EHU connector and an additional wire to Van Chassis. I wouldn't lose too much sleep if it were not earthed but the earth chassis wire is there so might as well connect it. Earthing the van chassis is just a precaution and has no effect on the operation of the RCD or the 240 mains appliances fitted.

The 240V element on a 3 way fridge has L,N, and Earth wire. The body of the element is in contact with the fridge metalwork which is probably in contact with chassis via the igniter circuit anyway. The 12V element has two wires only, one of which connects to chassis.

[andisnewsyncro]

There was quite a long discussion on this a few months back, which you might find interesting

https://club8090.co.uk/forum/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=47797

Personally, mine is as in the pictures

Hope this helps

[weldore]

erm....not really andi ..think thats the one i read all them months back
im gonna have a look at mine again today..is it possible that the rcd has nothing at all to do with the earthing with it being an older type ?ie..no connectors or an earth leakage sensor...and if it wasnt connected to the body would the rcd trip if the body work became live ?...i might practice with gail in the van...all for the good of science of course


...now where can i get one of those big switches like in frankenstien..hmmmmm

[andisnewsyncro]

i might practice with gail in the van...all for the good of science of course


...now where can i get one of those big switches like in frankenstien..hmmmmm

Save you having to change the interior and make your bed wider I suppose, was just reading that...

[weldore]

yeah ill just stick her in with the door shut..get her some mucky dishes to wash ,you know day to day stuff..like you would if you were out camping bit of tidying up etc....then hide behind the wheelie bin with me switch and keep zapping her

i wouldnt kill her..thats just sick !!!!

[AngeloEvs]

If you have ZIG series charger then your van body will earthed through that to the RCD. The zig casing is earthed to the RCD and the casing is also connected to the negative of the battery (the chassis). Check it with a meter, stick it on ohms and see if the earth pin of the EHU lead connects to the battery negative.

[1664]

i might practice with gail in the van...all for the good of science of course


...now where can i get one of those big switches like in frankenstien..hmmmmm

Save you having to change the interior and make your bed wider I suppose, was just reading that...

[meggles]

yeah ill just stick her in with the door shut..get her some mucky dishes to wash ,you know day to day stuff..like you would if you were out camping bit of tidying up etc....then hide behind the wheelie bin with me switch and keep zapping her

i wouldnt kill her..thats just sick !!!!

Aye, but she'll kill you when she see's what you've put on here.

Thanks for the debate guys. Much better than a simple yes or a no. Makes you think doesn't it. No wonder my sparkies couldn't agree!!! I'm going to earth it to van body.