Electric Hookup

Post by **kathyshack** » 05 Feb 2007, 19:58

After totally taking our everything in the van for its new interior, it appears my hookup setup doesn't have a consumer unit. I'm assuming I need one of these, but just wondered what it does?

my hookup kit seems to consist of the outside socket on side of van, which come into van via a cable. it then goes into a plug socket with a switch and from here, i think the two plug sockets we use are connected.

Is it just a consumer unit I need to get, or is there something else? How much do consumer units cost and do you just get em from B&Q or somewhere?
thanks
kathy

Post by **redstar** » 05 Feb 2007, 20:02

Yes you definatly need one...else nothing is protected in your van...
(like wiring the toaster to the main feed in the house)
i presume a small one designed for a shed/garage will do..

Post by **kathyshack** » 05 Feb 2007, 20:05

yeah, i thought as much!

Post by **redstar** » 05 Feb 2007, 20:11

if you look in the house one you will have 'mains' power at 30 - 32 amp. on sites you are 'given between 5 - 15 amp dep on location in country..
if you use 3, i.e. fridge, power and lighting you can get away with most things...

Post by **Dan Wood** » 05 Feb 2007, 20:22

Make sure you get a consumer unit with an RCD. It will kill the power to the rest of your electrics if some electricity 'goes missing' somewhere.

Then you probably want a 15A MCB for your sockets and a 5A or so for you lights.

Disco, put that T4 down and answer these questions!

Post by **kevtherev** » 05 Feb 2007, 21:38

or else sir will give you detention....

Post by **Bowton Lad** » 06 Feb 2007, 01:14

kathyshack wrote: Is it just a consumer unit I need to get, or is there something else? How much do consumer units cost and do you just get em from B&Q or somewhere?
thanks
kathy

You mentioned B&Q, Kathy, because I got my RCD unit from Screwfix Direct which is owned by B&Q.

Screwfix Cat.No.85 Autumn/Winter 2007: page 320 - Item No.33248-85 IP65 Garage Enclosure (made by MK) 40A 30mA RCD; 1 x 16A mcb & 1 x 6A mcb. It has short circuit, overload & earth leakage protection; 10 year manufacturers guarantee; BS. EN 60670. Price £36.99.

If you spend £45.00 or over with Screwfix you will get free delivery. The speed of delivery, even the standard option, is excellent - I had a delivery from them only last week.

Contact them on TEL: 0500 41 41 41

www.scewfix.com

Order by 6pm for next day delivery!

Post by **scouse** » 06 Feb 2007, 12:05

I have just bought a consumer unit with rcd, 2x 16amp and 1x 6amp mcb.

I figured I could just wire it up my self, but am having second thoughts about using it now.

Has any body used the in line rcd wired up to a block of sockets, and a male 240v hook up. Have seen them for general sale. Seem a lot more use friendly, and the rcd is 16amp

Scouse

Post by **kathyshack** » 08 Feb 2007, 13:42

thanks.
BoltonLad, was yours easy enough to install?
some have 2 x 16A mcb, what would you want the other one for?

Post by **Bowton Lad** » 08 Feb 2007, 16:43

Kathy, I don't now why you would want 2 x 16A mcb. You would use the 16A mcb for sockets & the 6A mcb for lighting. I havn't installed the RCD unit yet. I will put in the two sockets but I will get a qualified electrickery person to wire up the RCD unit.

Post by **DiscoDave** » 08 Feb 2007, 18:17

Bowton Lad wrote: I will put in the two sockets but I will get a qualified electrickery person to wire up the RCD unit.

i can see a very busy bubfreeze coming up!

if you have a plug on the outside of your van that runs to a socket in the van you do have protection in the van but only through the site's electrical system! in this country there are very strict regulations reguarding the integrity of an installation in a caravan park! each hook up unit must have an rcd and a circuit breaker!

the main reason you need one in your van is because you can reset these your self! if you have your fan heater on and the put a kettle on too the breaker in the hook up box will trip and you will haveto get a site person to reset it for you, if you have your own you'll be able to do it your self!

why have a 3 way unit? 16 or 10A breaker for your sockets! 6A breaker for lights and another 6A breaker for your fridge. however having mains lighting in a van that for 90% of the time is not connected to the mains to mee seems like a silly idea!

i have a 10A for sockets, 6A for the fridge and 6A for the battery charger, this way when hooked up you can charge the battery so you won't need mains lights!

just give me a shout if i can be of assistance!

Post by **Plasticman** » 08 Feb 2007, 18:31

Everybody and the world now SHOUTS
Mike

Post by **kathyshack** » 12 Feb 2007, 15:56

Cheers Dave,
Just been on screwfix to place an order. The one receomended above is out of stock at the moment,

but they have this one.
IP55 VCGKIT comprising 40A 30mA RCD, 1 x 6A and 1 x 16A Type B MCB. RCD provides earth leakage protection. MCBs provide individual circuit protection. BS EN 60439-3.

Anyone know if this is fine, and what the difference is, if any from the recomended one? Is it just the 10 year guarantee?

Thanks,
Kathy

Post by **Bowton Lad** » 12 Feb 2007, 16:16

The Volex RCD unit is almost identical to the one manufactured by MK.
MK products are generally speaking a few pounds dearer than the same thing from other manufacturers. Most electrickery persons will tell you that MK stuff is the best but having said that Volex stuff is excellent quality as well.

You might as well go for the Volex RCD but remember to order any other stuff you need at the same time as an order value of £45.00 or more
= free delivery.

Post by **kathyshack** » 12 Feb 2007, 20:07

cheers BoltonLad.
I'll give it a few more days and see if the MK stuff comes back in stock. if not then i'll order the volex one. Will order some shiney plug sockets too to make my order up so i get the free delivery! he he

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