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Post by humpynvan on Mar 11, 2012 18:34:48 GMT 10
Dave, if the sparky runs a mixed circuit for everything, he will mosty likely fit a 16 A circuit breaker, as this is what is usually fitted to a normal power circuit, at a stretch a 20 A can be used if the cable is up to it.
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Post by Geoff & Jude on Mar 11, 2012 18:45:35 GMT 10
hi dave
add your total wattage together and divide it by 240.
this will give you the current rate if all the appliances are used a the same time.
(a 16amp fuse can carry 3840 watts)
geoff 'n jude
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Post by Franklin1 on Mar 12, 2012 10:38:27 GMT 10
G'day Dave,
From an electrical safety point of view, you really want the circuit breaker to be the weakest link in the electrical system.
From my own investigations and thoughts on the matter, I fear we are being lulled into a false sense of security with our caravan electrical systems.
New standards for house wiring are being applied to caravans, but the poor old 15 amp lead (the "umbilical cord") between the caravan and the power pole is missing out. We upgrade the wiring inside our vans, and we falsely think the system can now cope with powering a small factory, whereas the wiring diameter in the 15 amp lead is still the old standard.
Given that the 15 amp lead is now the "weakest link" in terms of wiring diameter, I personally believe the circuit breaker should be rated at less than 15 amps, which would make the breaker the true 'weakest link'. Unfortunately, the electrical industry has decided that breakers should be rated at 10 Amps, 16A, 20A, and so on, but nothing at 14A. Therefore, I have reluctantly installed 16A breakers in my van, although I reckon 10A breakers would give a higher level of safety.
Somewhere you have to draw the line about what appliances you have running in a caravan at the one time. For a 10 Amp breaker (fuse), you can run a maximum of 2400 watts total electrical loading. The 15 amp extension lead means the cable is capable of carrying 3600 watts maximum at the one time.
If anyone is determined to have multiple appliances operating in a caravan where the total electrical loading at any one time would exceed 3600 watts, the alternative is to install a second separate 15 amp inlet and circuit into the van (one for the back half of the van, and one for the front half), and have TWO electrical leads from the power pole to the van (like some of the modern vans have).
On the subject of extension leads, we van owners need to keep in mind that a 15 amp lead rated as "heavy duty" does not mean we are getting heavier duty copper wiring in the lead. It's the same wiring for all, but what differs is the thickness of the plastic casing around the wiring. "Heavy Duty" cable means it would take more effort to put a spade through the plastic casing.
Finally, a caravan burns down in approximately four minutes. Somewhere in the van you need to have a "safety switch" that triggers BEFORE the absolute maximum load rating of the umbilical cord is reached.
cheers,
Al.
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Post by firefighter on Mar 12, 2012 12:33:03 GMT 10
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