Mains hook-up dangers

[max and caddy]

This is great news then...no need for a earth in the hook up lead at all then? My conductive tyres will be perfectly adequate and no deaths can result at all ever...

[itchyfeet]

http://www.practicalcaravan.com/forum/t ... of-a-shock

I particularly like this reply - not sure if it's true Whatever you do DO NOT connect your cara van chassis to ground. The nearest earthing point of the supply system may be at a substation some distance away which could mean that you earth is better than that of the supply company and considerable current could flow albeit from a very low voltage.

Thinking about it more, the only 'safe' option is an RCD near source isnt it?


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Caravans are rarely made of conductive metal, not relevant.

[max and caddy]

All metal conducts...does it not?

[marlinowner]

It's the definition of a metal, delocalised electrons.

[itchyfeet]

All metal conducts...does it not?

Yes, didn't imply that there was non conductive metal, I was implying that the conductive properties of metal make a van more dangerous than a caravan.

[max and caddy]

Ok, just being pedantic I admit... Still not sure about the tyres .

[itchyfeet]

I have been to a company that do lightning testing on aircraft and can generate and store enough power to simlate 90% of all lightning strikes
conductivity is all relative, everythng can conduct given enough energy.

You are up to 75% water which will conduct mains enough said.

[max and caddy]

75% beer...

[tobydog]

And the earth wire in your house is connected to......

[itchyfeet]

And the earth wire in your house is connected to......

My van chassis when it's hooked up

[bigbadbob76]

I realise this is an old thread but i just found it and feel i should add to it.
Having recently upgraded my van 240v system to include-
10A RCD.
10A MCB.
Earth to chassis.
Equipotential bonding of sink, hob, oven, heater etc to the chassis.
I looked up the regulations and these are all required.

An important point came up in the regulations- if your house has a TN-C-S (PME) earthing system then you MUST NOT connect the house earth to the van earth.
You need to Connect van earth to an earth stake as done on campsite hookups, you don't see it but it's there, the earth pin on the hookup socket is connected to an earth stake.
This is because open circuit failure of the combined neutral/earth wire between your house and the sub station COULD put lethal voltage on your van chassis which then COULD electrocute you if you touch the van while standing on the ground.

If your house supply is wired as a TN-S system then you're fine using the house earth as neutral and earth are seperate wires.

Many folks use square pin mains plug to blue 16A socket adapters without being aware of the dangers.

[nesty]

Years ago. I watch this BBC programme.
They placed a VW golf in the main electricity testing pylon plant at Siemens, Germany. The then only plant, which could then mimic lightening at 50,000 Volts.
The test was to describe how a car earthing system works. They fired this bolt of lightening down and the occupant (Stunt man) inside the Golf, was completely protected.
So, if you have decent earthing on your vehicle. Then you will surely be protected?

[adie89]

That's not earthing protection in the car, it's the faraday effect. Like the guy who'throws' lightning in his metal suit, the electricity flows around you, through the car body, to earth. Your car is a faraday cage.

[nesty]

That's not earthing protection in the car, it's the faraday effect. Like the guy who'throws' lightning in his metal suit, the electricity flows around you, through the car body, to earth. Your car is a faraday cage.

Ah yeah the Faraday cage what I am thinking off. Getting confused!

[Smcknighty]

My electric car charger has an Earth stake, I suspect for this very reason. Interesting


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