Caravan CU

[Lawbringer]

Hi guys i'm wondering where i can get double pole MCB's for a caravan install?

Preferably with some very low breaking amps, 1, 3 , 6, 10.

Also what about using an RCD as the isolating switch due to space issues?

 

[ricicle]

Who's caravan is this ? Are you competant to be carrying this work ?

 

[maguire]

Static or tourer ? most static vans I have worked on come with a 63 A 30mA trip RCD /main switch as standard although this is now frowned upon by some interpretation of the regulations, although technically it is fine, as to DP MCB's most leccy wholesalers will stock.
DM

 

[Lawbringer]

maguire
It's a tourer so any hook up will/should already be protected by a 16amp RCBO or likewise. I've checked TLC and they don't seem to have many DP breakers.

ricicle
I'm not going to get involved in another conversation about competency. Who owns the van is irrelivent!

 

[maguire]

Hi again I'v had aa look through most of my catalouges and I can only see DP MCB's of 16A but I have not exhausted every supplier Can I asked why you need DP MCB's and what is in the van just now there maybe another way to achive your objective
DM
PS Meteor Electrical do DP RCBO's from 6A
DM

 

[Lawbringer]

There is nothing in the van now.

Because it's a tourer and may be used on the continent they don't have the same rules regarding polarity so in order to make extra safe you use double pole.

 

[ban-all-sheds]

ricicle
I'm not going to get involved in another conversation about competency.

Another one?

Have you had one already?

Who owns the van is irrelivent!

Actually it is very much not irrelevant...

 

[maguire]

Ah the old polarity issue abroad because of the differance between us switching the live and the continentals switching both L&N a bit of a head scrather but yes I think your right in your assesment of what you need to do Bon Chance,
DM
found this with lots on the very issue you have raised
www.ukcampsite.co.uk

 

[Lawbringer]

ricicle
I'm not going to get involved in another conversation about competency.

Another one?

Yes

Have you had one already?

Yes, I'll simply say that I feel i'm more competent than every electrician i've ever employed. I will not attempt a project that I don't feel I couldn't handle and make sure i fully understand what i'm doing before attempting it.

Who owns the van is irrelivent!

Actually it is very much not irrelevant...

If you can let me know one reason why it's important i'll tell you.

 

[plugwash]

I would do the following

Get a 4 way RCD incomer CU
Get 2x DP MCBs of appropriate ratings for the sockets and lights
Strip the busbar out of the CU and connect everything together with wire links.

Since the total current in a tourer is very limited anyway 2.5mm wire should be more than enough for the wire links.

Remember all wiring in the caravan should be either flex or stranded singles in conduit. T&E should not be used.

 

[OwainDIYer]

Because it's a tourer and may be used on the continent they don't have the same rules regarding polarity so in order to make extra safe you use double pole.

Pop over to Castorama or Mr Bricolage and get a French CU with DP MCBs.

Probably cheaper than getting a special order from a UK distributor.

 

[timtheenchanter]

"Hager, the part no / code has changed and is now MSN116 apparently"

from a thread on UKCS recently for somone lookinf for the same thing.

seimens also make them apparently.

http://www.ukcampsite.co.uk/chatter...PagePosition=1&showActive=9&ReturnPage=Active

 

[timtheenchanter]

although, just to add, most caravans have a reverse polarity detection, usually a red neon wired between N and E, and carry a conversion lead for the continent.

I personally have a green wired L-E as I dont think the other way is "fail safe"

 

[ban-all-sheds]

ricicle
I'm not going to get involved in another conversation about competency.

Another one?

Yes

I wonder why...

Yes, I'll simply say that I feel i'm more competent than every electrician i've ever employed.

... Ah.

If you can let me know one reason why it's important i'll tell you.

Because if you are doing this work for reward in a customer's caravan then issues of your competence, your ability to issue certificates that are worth something and whether you have adequate liability insurance (also affected by your competence, probably by provable competence) become very significant.

 

[Lawbringer]

If you can let me know one reason why it's important i'll tell you.

Because if you are doing this work for reward in a customer's caravan then issues of your competence, your ability to issue certificates that are worth something and whether you have adequate liability insurance (also affected by your competence, probably by provable competence) become very significant.

Who's caravan it is, is still irrelivent unless i'm doing it for reward then

A better question would be am i doing this for reward.

Ok let me turn this round a bit. Your designing an installation for said caravan what would you install?