This is a best practice guide to using these temporary site electrical services safely.
Mains electrical installations and extensions or modifications to existing installations should be entrusted to a skilled installer. Upon completion the work should be inspected and tested by a ‘competent person’ who will issue an official inspection certificate if the installation is satisfactory.
Test certificates
You should be in possession of a completed and signed Electrical Installation Certificate issued by a ‘competent person’. These should be originals, giving details of the caravan (make, model and VIN number) and signed by a ‘competent person’ - photocopies are not acceptable.
Warners electrical contractors have authority to refuse to offer a supply to a caravan if it is believed that the installation may be unsafe.
UK regulations
The distribution and supply of electrical power in the UK, as well as wiring installations in buildings, caravan sites and caravans is governed by the British Standards BS7671:2001, BS7909:2011 code of practice for temporary electrical systems
All Warners sites where mains is available, have socket outlets which comply with this standard.
Site to caravan connection
Your connecting lead will need a plug to match this socket outlet and a connector to match the inlet to your unit, both complying with BS EN 60309-2. Such leads now come supplied with new caravans and motorhomes constructed under the National Caravan Council (NCC) approval scheme, but suitable leads fitted with the appropriate blue plug and socket are available from most camping or caravan dealers, these connecting leads must be PVC/PVC flexible cable, with three cores, each core being 2.5mm to be able to cope with a typical 16A connection demand. It is common however to find lesser cables where each core is only 1.5mm. This can be confirmed on the outer PVC covering of the cable where it should be marked.
The maximum permitted distance between socket outlet and any point on the caravan pitch is 20 metres. The connection should comprise 25 metres (+/- 2 metres) of flexible cable supplied by the caravan manufacturer. One end connects to the caravan inlet, the other plugs into the site socket.
Safe use and maintenance
The caravan mains electrical system should be checked at regular intervals - annually if you cover high mileages. Maintain equipment in good order, and have appliances serviced as recommended by the manufacturer. Damaged or worn cables should be replaced immediately. Do not abuse appliances by forcing them to perform in excess of their capability. Switch off ALL caravan internal appliances before connecting to or disconnecting from site supply. Check operation of RCD by means of test button every time caravan is connected to a site supply (NOTE: Supply must be switched on at site socket outlet).
In the event of a blown fuse or MCB trip, switch off the supply and ascertain cause before replacing the fuse or resetting MCB.
In the event of appliance malfunction switch off supply before removing the appliance for inspection.
Cable safety
Always make sure the caravan-to-site connecting cable is fully unwound when used. If necessary, lay out any excess cable in parallel rows (not tight coils) beside the caravan. Failure to do this can result in the cable overheating and even catching fire.
Motorhomers must not leave cables plugged in on pitches while their vehicle is away from the site during the day. This creates a major safety hazard for wardens when grass cutting, or for children (and others) who might pick up the live end of the cable. Disconnect the cable and coil it next to the bollard (or take it with you)
Appliances and power limitation on site
Whenever possible, use only appliances complying with British Standards with BEAB approval. Other appliances made by well-known manufacturers and sold by reputable traders may be suitable but if in doubt, ask the manufacturer if the appliance can be used in a caravan.
Although the caravan/motorhome installation is designed for a maximum current of 16 Amp, some sites may limit the maximum current loading per caravan to a lower figure, usually 10 Amp in the UK and sometimes 5 Amp or less. On arrival at a site, check the maximum permitted current, and make sure that this figure is never exceeded. Failure to do so will result in tripped circuit breakers - at the site rather than in the motorhome or caravan, which causes inconvenience not only to you, but also your fellow caravanners and the site electricians.
Appliance power consumption is quoted in watts and kilowatts (1 kilowatt (kW) = 1000 watts (w)). A total electrical load of 1 kW will require a 5 Amp supply at 230V. Hence the normal supply of 16 Amp in the UK would be suitable for a total load of approximately 3 kW (although this may exceed the circuit limitations of the caravan).
