Club 80-90 Forums

Hi quick question is this normal in coachbuilt vans?
Mine is a homebrew with an extension lead and im thinking thats potentially dangerous with living in a metal box
Thanks

itchyfeet wrote:Hi quick question is this normal in coachbuilt vans?
Mine is a homebrew with an extension lead and im thinking thats potentially dangerous with living in a metal box
Thanks

If the body's bonded to earth, and you've got an RCD, then if there ever is a short to the body, it'll trip the RCD instantly, and cut both live and neutral.

Yes if the short is after the rcd

So back to the question is it usual to earth the body?

itchyfeet wrote:So back to the question is it usual to earth the body?

Don't forget that coachbuilts aren't typically metal, so it'd be a bit pointless.

It is recommended to earth your mains set up to the body. I haven't done mine yet (been a year)

You should never plug into anything that is not RCD protected. All site hook ups will be. You still need an earth to the chassis though and an RCD in your camper.

Im not sure european sites are all rcd protected

Ok forget coachbuilt i mean vans such as westys any one care to check if the body of their westy isconnected to earth on the mains hookup?

If its not you can get small leakage currents via wet sockets to the body, not enough to trip an rcd or kill you but enough to feel it.

itchyfeet wrote:Im not sure european sites are all rcd protected

<chuckle> I'm damned sure they aren't... Hell, you should see some of the ones we came across! There were some that I just stared at, hook-up in hand, and wondered if I dared...

But that's just all the more reason to have an RCD in the van. Sure, there's a slight risk from the bit between hook-up and RCD, but make sure that's as neat and tidy and well-controlled as possible, and the risk's minimal.

any one care to check if the body of their westy isconnected to earth on the mains hookup?

<goes to check> Yep, 'tis.

Many thanks

I was leaning against the sliding door after a rain storm and kept getting a feeling like a scratch on my arm
I looked for sharp edges but there were none

Took a while to realise the paint is missing and when i checked with a meter 150v ac
No measurable current but its not nice

Removed the connection and inspected it no water but was probably damp bypassed this and its fine

I will add an earth but got me thinking what you also need is an external rcd in a waterproof box

My mains hookup is completely separate to the rest of the vans electrics (non-standard). The hook-up cable goes into a mini consumer unit, into RCD, then to 16A MCB, then to a socket (my mains hookup is purely to use sockets, it doesn't charge leisure battery).

The Earth isn't connected to the body, but I suppose it should be.

I'd have to dig my wiring regs book out to double check, but I think there's no requirement for camp site hook-ups to be RCD protected, just overcurrent (which makes it more important to make sure your van has an RCD ).

Thing is an internal rcd and no body earth still alows a fauly inlet socket to make the body live
So an earthed body is more important than an rcd

richlaz wrote:My mains hookup is completely separate to the rest of the vans electrics (non-standard). The hook-up cable goes into a mini consumer unit, into RCD, then to 16A MCB, then to a socket (my mains hookup is purely to use sockets, it doesn't charge leisure battery).

The Earth isn't connected to the body, but I suppose it should be.

I'd have to dig my wiring regs book out to double check, but I think there's no requirement for camp site hook-ups to be RCD protected, just overcurrent (which makes it more important to make sure your van has an RCD ).

All hook ups now need to be RCD protected as they have to be earthed on an earth stake (TT) for various reasons. Therefore, the circuit breakers may not work if a fault occurs except for overload so an RCD is needed for primary protection. If a hook up has no RCD then I seriously advise not to plug into it. Your lead, Your problem.