Hi guys, I'm new to your forum so please be kind. I am a marine engineer so have a good knowledge of AC on ships, I know quite different for ashore. Now here is my problem, I'm on holiday in my motorhome in Spain, I always check for polarity in Europe as sometimes they reverse live and neutral, not a problem as I always test the hookup on site. I have a lead which I have reversed L and N so it's comes into my van ok if it's reversed. However I have encountered a new problem, on no load L to N is 240v, L to E is 136v and N to E is 136v. My tester tells me there is a problem with the supply. It's not just my hookup I have been to various other hookups and they are all the same. What are the Spanish doing? Our appliances function ok but 99% of the happy camper don't realise the neutral has a potential of 136v. Thoughts please.
Single Phase 240V In Spain...
- Thread starter Clankie
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Should that not be earth has a potential of 104v??
john...
john...
240v p-p will have 138v p-e, however i have no idea why it would be wired that way
Looks like a transformer supply with a centre tap earth.....
high rod resistance? Didn't think Spain used earth system like UK?
It's all EN 60364
I'd agree with that,
Looks like a 120v centre tap,
Same as our 55v centre tap site transformers that give 110v L-N [apparently]
240/√3=?
As Andy points out p-p 240 p-e 138, this is exactly what we have at sea, 3ph transformer 440 - 230 then balance load by taking different phases from distribution box. E.G. L1 L2, L2 L3, L1 L3. All 230v between lines but 138v to Earth.
I didn't think this was a practice used domestically even in Spain!! Strictly speaking it's not really single phase, is it?
British built motorhomes expect a live, neutral, Earth supply as 13amp outlets are single pole switched. I guess most appliances are double insulated in any case. Thanks for your thoughts, Clankie.
I didn't think this was a practice used domestically even in Spain!! Strictly speaking it's not really single phase, is it?
British built motorhomes expect a live, neutral, Earth supply as 13amp outlets are single pole switched. I guess most appliances are double insulated in any case. Thanks for your thoughts, Clankie.
You can get SP or DP switched sockets so it is worth checking on this. Chances are they are SP but it is worth checking.
its commonly used on sites for 110v, 63.5 CTE, but ive never seen it used for normal supplies. because its not single phase, it could be bad because you are very unlikely to have DP MCB's and the wiring will generally not be designed for it
You can get DP switched BS1363 sockets, how about getting a DP plug?
It seems strange a site that knows they will get international visitors uses an odd bod supply.
Do Spain use a similar system to the Americans?
Hi guys, thanks for your thoughts, I have an RCD on my main isolator and 3 MCB's but they are just normal UK style, it's very poor that they should provide an electric supply that is sub standard. Still moving on North on Tuesday will be snowing soon I guess. Most places are up to UK standard and this site is very good in all other aspects, still life's a bitch! Cheers Clankie
The regs do actually state that OCPDs in motorhomes and caravans need to be double pole,,, can't remember the specific Reg though
had a quick look through 721 but cant see anything saying OCPD must be DP. RCDs & isolators must be
721.43.1 Final Circuits
Each final circuit shall be protected by an overcurrent protective device which disconnects all live conductors of that circuit.
Remember both Line and Neutral are live conductors....
Each final circuit shall be protected by an overcurrent protective device which disconnects all live conductors of that circuit.
Remember both Line and Neutral are live conductors....
Which goes back as far as BS7671:1992, 16th red book, I don't have that on computer, as it happens I had it along side me at the desk as I was checking something on an old install wrt a potential electric shock experienced by a child recently.
It was, 608-04-01, and the wording is unchanged.
The book previous to that I have to hand is the red 15th, 1981, which does not have "special locations" in it.
As an aside even in 1981, the "regs" were being aligned across Europe, in accordance with IEC 364 as it was then, it is now IEC 60364, in various parts, e.g. 4-41, Protection for safety – Protection against electric shock.
Sound familiar?...
It was, 608-04-01, and the wording is unchanged.
The book previous to that I have to hand is the red 15th, 1981, which does not have "special locations" in it.
As an aside even in 1981, the "regs" were being aligned across Europe, in accordance with IEC 364 as it was then, it is now IEC 60364, in various parts, e.g. 4-41, Protection for safety – Protection against electric shock.
Sound familiar?...
must read it a bit better next time...
The only reason that I know is that someone asked me to price changing a motor home CU the other week so I checked over the appropriate regs to make sure that I didn't miss anything
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