With the cost of
fuel still on the rise, you can save money with the
Lets-Getaway.com monthly trip report
competition. We're offering a $50 petrol
voucher each month until the end of 2008 for the
best trip report.
Click here to submit your trip report, or read
the current submissions. No minimum or maximum
length, and photos are welcome.
What type of electrical
cord do you need for your caravan / rv.
What the legal requirements and what safety aspects do you need to consider.
What Type of Extension
Cord Do I Need
for my Caravan?
Generators What is a generator? How
will you know which size
will fit your requirements.
For
caravans, motorhomes, camper vans, 5th wheelers and
camper trailers you will need a 15 amp, 3 pin plug electrical
extension cord. These 15 amp cords are mostly a different colour
(usually orange) than the 10 amp (usually grey) household electrical
extension cords.
What is a Mushroom?
The extension
cord connects from the ‘mushroom’ power supply box (female
power inlet connection) at the caravan/trailer park to the
external (male power outlet connection) plug on your RV.
The extension cord may also be used for connection to a
generator.
Electrical Cord Care and Maintenance
Care should
always be taken when dealing with electricity and power
cords and should be regularly inspected for any wear or
fraying. It is important to replace worn, damaged or frayed
cords.
Your RV will
most likely have an earth leakage circuit breaker. To avoid
electrical shock never modify lighting outlets, plugs or
cords. All electrical work should be undertaken by a
licensed electrician.
15 amp
electrical cords usually come in 10, 15 and 20 meter
lengths. The cord should be fully unwound before use as a
wound cord may overheat and catch fire.
For safety
reasons there are maximum lengths (including in line length
combination of cords).
Extension cord
recommended lengths:-
Cord Extension
Set Rating (amp)
Conductor
Area (mm)
Maximum Length
Flexible Cord (metre)
15 amp
1.5 mm
25
15 amp
2.5 mm
40
Joining the
cords is not recommended as the join is not weather proof.
Liquids and electricity do not mix. However, a weatherproof
plug and socket cover is available from a caravan or
motorhome accessory store.
What Lengths
of Extension Cord Do I Need to Carry?
In some
caravan/trailer parks the power supply box can be some
distance from your RV so it is recommended you carry
different length cords for this purpose. The shorter one
for when your RV is closer to the power supply box and the
longer one when it is further away. For easier convenient
storage, purchase a reel on which to store your extension
cord.
If you need to
maintain a state of charge for your RV batteries whilst your
motorhome or caravan is stored at home it is recommended you
get an electrician to install a 15 amp power point at your
residence. The 15 amp power extension cords are not
suitable for use for standard domestic power points.
Surge
Protectors/Safety Switches
From May 1993
new power outlets supplying caravans or similar
accommodation in caravan parks are required to have safety
switch protection. Your caravan must be wired to Australian
New Zealand Standards AS/NZS 3001.
What
is the difference between a surge protector and a safety
switch?
Surge
protectors and safety switches play entirely different
roles. Surge protectors protect electrical appliances and
safety switches protect people.
Safety switches are not the same as
fuses or circuit breakers but rather an additional form of
protection to be used with circuit breakers and fuses.
Safety switches monitor the flow of electricity and
automatically shut off the electrical supply when current
is detected leaking from faulty wiring, switches or
electrical appliances. Portable safety switches are
available.
Surge
protectors safeguard your wiring and electrical appliances
for voltage surges such as lightning strike.
What
is a circuit breaker ?
Circuit breakers cut the power off
when the wiring has too much electrical current
flowing through it. Circuit breakers and fuses do not
provide personal protection against electrical shock.
How do
I supply power to my tent ?
If using an
extension cord to supply power to a tent, and the onsite
connection point does not have safety switch protection for
the outlet, it is recommended that a portable safety switch
be used. If there is to be more than one appliance connected
in the tent use an approved portable socket outlet box.