outside points

[Rob69]

I have a customer who requires a power outlet to supply a caravan in the back garden.

Also he wants some outside lights fitted at the top of said garden.

Can i run one SWA to power all the above or what is the best way?????

Thanks Rob

 

[Robin Spark]

Whats in the caravan? Pikeys! LOL you wont get paid.

Just joking Rob, I think we need more info on load, are we looking at max 16amp for caravan, and what sort of lighting are you installing?

 

[sparkytim]

Whats the supply earthing type?

rememeber PME not allowed for Caravans.

 

[Robin Spark]

Thanks Sparkytim, forgot to ask that one! Dont want the caravan to become live do we.

 

[m4tty]

Could power the socket on a radial in swa then fuse down for the lights with suitable ip rated switched fcu?

Make sure there's no pikeys about tho mate. You wanna keep your tools lol

 

[matt.leung]

u might wanna use those security screws so stuff does not go walk-a-bouts..

 

[Rob69]

Just installing 2 outside lights 100watt each.

would i need to fit an earth rod if its a PME then ?

 

[Apache]

Just installing 2 outside lights 100watt each.would i need to fit an earth rod if its a PME then ?

 

[Rob69]

Customer just requires it to run a heater to take the chill and damp

out of caravan. Although i will go with the 16amp normal supply just in case.

A 16amp radial should be sufficient for caravan and two outside lights.

Just leaves the earth rod question .......near caravan point???

anything else i need to consider?

 

[alchemist]

Whats the supply earthing type?rememeber PME not allowed for Caravans.

Sorry if this is a stupid question, how come we can't use PME for caravans?

 

[spinlondon]

If there is a supply neutral fault, the metalwork of the caravan will become live.

 

[jackfrosty]

isn't that like saying if you cut through a cable you'l get an electric shock?

 

[sparkytim]

Electricity supply regs forbid it.

 

[spinlondon]

isn't that like saying if you cut through a cable you'l get an electric shock?

No not really.

For one, you wouldn't necessarily get a shock if you cut through a cable. Done it hundreds of thousands of times, and not received one shock.

That aside, a supply neutral fault would be outside of your control, could be caused by weather, subsidance, someone digging up the road etc.

You wouldn't know that the neutral had failed, RCDs would not operate, and due to high earth impedance, there would be a good chance that ADS would not occur.

 

[Larnacaman]

There's more than a good chance, that the ADS Would occur

 

[spinlondon]

Only if the earth path was maintained, even then it might take so long to operate as to be of no benefit.

Most likely the CPC would melt before ADS occured, as it would be the return path not only for every circuit in the installation, but those of other installations affected by the neutral fault.

 

[sparkytim]

The real worry of PME loosing the Nuetral in the supply to your property is that ALL connected wiring back to that point becomes LIVE (VIA Equipment in circuit ) "looking" for a Nuetral path back to the supply transformer, including YOUR bonded pipework.

Hence someone in contact with that metal work AND contact with REAL Earth could provide that path. (Stepping out from a Metal skinned caravan hand contact with live Caravan body, foot on wet ground)

In the "old days" when PME was strictly regulated by law, you could not even have an outside tap without segregating its pipework OR staking it down.

Now it would seem the risk is considered minimal, maybe by lack of Deaths, hence PME not regulated as it was (Except by STEPS and others bought up on the old PME regs. it would seem )