advise on 240v kit

[Gary.pb]

I am considering fitting a240v hook up kit to my camper. I have found the following kit advertised at just campers and wandered if anybody has used the same kit and if it was any good

http://www.justkampers.com/mains-hook-u ... -240v.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[RobH]

Decent enough, but you may be able to buy the parts more reasonably and get nicer looking sockets.

I've got the CBE sockets to allow 12 & 240 next to each other.

Slightly cheaper kit here.
http://pages.ebay.com/link/?nav=item.vi ... 1106628820

Main thing you need is the consumer unit http://pages.ebay.com/link/?nav=item.vi ... 1316119461

Then flex and sockets.

[Gary.pb]

that looks like exactly the same kit. Think I will buy that one.

Thanks for the advice, to be honest im not great with electrics so I would rather buy a complete kit that will be supplied with fitting instructions etc

[hobart71uk]

that looks like exactly the same kit. Think I will buy that one.

Thanks for the advice, to be honest im not great with electrics so I would rather buy a complete kit that will be supplied with fitting instructions etc

Hi Gary. I am a fully qualified electrician and have my own business (est 1992!). The first thing I would say is electrics are very dangerous so check, check again and check again! If I was you I would have a look at toolstation or screwfix for your "bits". I have made you a list below of what you will need. Right the important bits.

Sockets:

Sockets will need to be fed from the consumer unit via a 16 Amp MCB (circuit breaker) using 1.5mm or 2.5mm two core and earth. You will need to wire what's called a Radial circuit. Basically, out of your consumer unit to first socket, then out of first socket to second one and so on. I personally wouldn't put more than three sockets on one Radial. You can however run another Radial from the same MCB.

Lighting:

Lighting should be fed from consumer unit via a 6 Amp MCB using 1.5mm two core and earth. There are a number of ways to wire a lighting circuit but probably the least complicated is as follows. Take your lighting feed flex from consumer unit to light switch, then run a flex from lighting point to switch. Inside the switch make the following connections. Both Blue cores (neutral conductors) into a 6 Amp rated connector block. Your two brown cores need to go into the switch terminals, one at the top, one at the bottom. Dont forget to connect both your Green / Yellow cores together in a 6 Amp connector block. Now fit your light.

Consumer unit:

Make sure you have a consumer unit with an RCD rated at 30ma 240v 63 Amp as your main switch. Take your input feed from your outside mains in socket (hook up socket) into your consumer unit. The Brown core should go into the top of the terminal marked L or Live on the RCD. The Blue core should go into the terminal marked N or Neutral on the RCD. The green/yellow should go to the Earthing bar inside the consumer unit.
To wire your circuit feeds, put the Brown core/s of your socket circuit into the top of the 16 Amp MCB and the Blue core/s into the Neutral Bar. Then your Green/Yellow core/s into the earthing bar.
Do exactly the same for your lighting circuit/s but use the 6 Amp MCB.
VERY VERY IMPORTANT : You now need to put an "Earth Bond" onto the chassis of your van. You will need to use a 10mm earth cable (6491X), connect this bond from your earthing bar in your consumer unit and use a crimp lug to attach to your chassis. This is to prevent the chassis becoming "Live" under a fault condition.

Hook Up:

Be extra special careful to make sure you wire the van input socket correctly. Brown---Live, Blue---Neutral, Green/Yellow---Earth

Parts:

one 2 way consumer unit with 30ma 63Amp 240v incomer
one 16Amp MCB
one 6Amp MCB
x sockets and boxes
x Light switch and boxes
x 1.5mm or 2.5mm two core and earth for sockets
x 1.5mm two core and earth for lighting
one 6Amp connector strip
one mains hook up point
one 10mm crimp lug
x 10mm Earth cable (6491X)

No doubt I have probably missed something on the list! If you have any problems or need any advice drop me a message and I will try my best to help.
Hope this is of some use.

E D I T: Forgot to mention the flex should also be heat resistant and if possible as it is hard to get hold of, LSF (Low Smoke Fire)

To get some idea take a look at this link http://www.tlc-direct.co.uk/Book/7.9.2.htm" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[bigherb]

one 2 way consumer unit with 30ma 63Amp 240v incomer

You sure, they are never more than 25A normally 16A

[hobart71uk]

one 2 way consumer unit with 30ma 63Amp 240v incomer

You sure, they are never more than 25A normally 16A

Yes mate. You tend to find the 63Amp RCD is a bit cheaper and is less prone to nuisance tripping. It doesn't really make a difference so long as your RCD is rated above the incoming design current (usually 16 Amp supply on caravan sites). For instance, a momentary over voltage or "spike" on the 240v may take 40 or 50 amps which can trip a lower rated RCD. Its to do with the time/current characteristics and tripping times, also phase angle at the exact moment of fault as AC is alternating. You can get pretty bogged down with it but I hope you kind of understand!

[dbz864]

Hi sorry to hijack the post, ive just plugged me van in to try the fridge and pressed the test button on the consumer unit which normally switches the power off, for some reason it isn't turning it off, any ideas?thanks

[1664]

Hi sorry to hijack the post, ive just plugged me van in to try the fridge and pressed the test button on the consumer unit which normally switches the power off, for some reason it isn't turning it off, any ideas?thanks

You absolutely sure there's power going to it? It won't trip if it's dead. If there is power and it won't trip then try switching it on and off a dozen or so times (with no load on it), they can seize up if they've been in the same position for a substantial amount of time.
Failing all the above, it's shagged I'm afraid....

[dbz864]

Hi,thanks for that "1664 ",il try switching it off and on later.The way my lucks running it be shagged .Thanks

[dbz864]

Thanks 1664 it worked after flicking on and off many times.cheers