Making a caravan mains hook up cable

[Deansplit]

Hi

I need to make a cable for a caravan's electric supply when parked in the garden. I have the plug parts, and through looking online at cables I noticed an electrical supplier on eBay selling the complete cable and plugs, but was 1.5mm 3 core for up to 10m, then 2.5mm for over 10m.

Mine will be about 9m and I actually have the correct amount or armoured cable in 1.5mm. The supply will be used for music, lights and a heater though, so is 1.5mm ok? It's an oil filled heater of 2.5kw.

Any help and advice much appreciated.

 

[securespark]

SWA is the wrong cable to attach to in-line 16A plugs and sockets.

 

[Deansplit]

OK, so why, and what's correct then please?

 

[flameport]

Armoured cable cannot be correctly fitted to the plugs and sockets as there is nowhere to connect the armour.

This is the cable: https://www.tlc-direct.co.uk/Products/CA1dot5ART3Bslash50.html
or the 2.5mm version for longer lengths.

Generally it's cheaper to buy a ready made lead such as this: https://www.tlc-direct.co.uk/Products/SDEX3.html

 

[securespark]

I prefer the orange stuff, because I find it shows up better in the dark: handy on a campsite.

http://www.electricaleurope.com/en/...tm_medium=shopping&utm_campaign=UnitedKingdom

For a longer lead in orange 2.5, if you have a Go Outdoors card:

http://www.gooutdoors.co.uk/maypole-230v-25m-site-extension-lead-p333651

There are others on ebay cheaper, but they use 1.5 flex.

I have made adapters (similar to these: http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Caravan-Hook-Up-Adapter-230V-UK-Mains-Conversion-Plug-Connector-Lead-Camping/111740611744?_trksid=p2047675.c100009.m1982&_trkparms=aid=222007&algo=SIC.MBE&ao=1&asc=33959&meid=099f36e04be74418aede98ed5329ce89&pid=100009&rk=2&rkt=10&sd=261505958900

and

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/240V-Cara...803417?hash=item2808f28559:g:vtwAAOSwiLdWBmcT ) so I can use the 25m lead at home as well as on the campsite.

 

[Deansplit]

Thanks for the links but I think my question is being slightly misunderstood. It's not for a campsite - I have that cable. It's for literally running to my garage so can be used at home. And if a 2.5kw (or thinking about it, maybe actually less than that as that's overkill - maybe a 1.5kw) heater is being used, what size, 1.5 or 2.5mm?

Thanks

 

[flameport]

It's not for a campsite - I have that cable. It's for literally running to my garage so can be used at home.

It's the same cable. Cable doesn't care whether its at a campsite, home or anywhere else.

 

[Deansplit]

Yes I know that, sorry, I was referring to the ready made cables you were suggesting. OK then, so what size, 1.5 or 2.5mm?

 

[securespark]

What size is your "campsite" cable?

And what length?

 

[securespark]

Unless you install a dedicated circuit for the van, you are pretty much limited to 13A.

So, your ready-made existing "campsite" lead should do it.

You just need to make up a 13A plug to 16A socket lead (like in my ebay link) so you can connect your campsite lead to a 13A socket at home then Bob's your Uncle.

The 16A socket on the end of your campsite lead presumably fits the connection point on the outside of your van?

If so, you're good to go.

 

[Deansplit]

I haven't got the cable, that's what I need!.... It'll be about 8-9m.

 

[securespark]

Sorry...

When you said "It's not for a campsite - I have that cable.", I thought you meant you had a 16A extension lead already for camping.

OK.

So, if you are making a lead from scratch and it's for a maximum load of 13A (all you can draw from a standard 3 pin household socket outlet), and your length is no more than 10m, then 1.5 should suffice.

Has the van got electrics installed already?

If not, are you just running the cable into the van through an open door or window?

 

[Deansplit]

Thanks - the caravan has the correct hook up socket and it's own RCD with 2 MCB's in it. So now you know what I mean (sorry if I confooosed!), the armour cable is still a no no?

 

[securespark]

If you want to feed a fixed socket mounted externally from which you can run the lead for the van, then use the SWA.

If you want to make up a extension lead, use flex.

As mentioned earlier, you cannot terminate the armour in the 16A accessories, nor will the cable fit the clamps.

 

[PBC_1966]

This is the cable: https://www.tlc-direct.co.uk/Products/CA1dot5ART3Bslash50.html
or the 2.5mm version for longer lengths.

I prefer the orange stuff, because I find it shows up better in the dark: handy on a campsite.http://www.electricaleurope.com/en/...tm_medium=shopping&utm_campaign=UnitedKingdom

http://www.electricaleurope.com/en/...tm_medium=shopping&utm_campaign=UnitedKingdom
I always preferred the yellow Arctic for the flexibility combined with visibility:

https://www.tlc-direct.co.uk/Products/CA1dot5ART3Yslash50.html