services
40
electrIcIty
As with electricity in the home, care must be
exercised when handling mains electricity.
Your attention is drawn to the following notice as
laid down by the Institute of Electrical Engineers.
INSTRUCTIONS FOR ELECTRICITY SUPPLY
On arrival at caravan site
1. 1. Before connecting the caravan
installation to the mains supply, check
that 13 pin plug and hitch have been
disconnected from the towing vehicle,
once disconnected the 13 pin plug
should be placed in the holder provided
to ensure protection against mechanical
damage and the elements,
13 pin plug example
(b) the mains supply is suitable for your
installation and appliances, i.e. whether
it is AC or DC and whether it is at the
correct voltage and frequency,
(c) your installation will be properly
earthed. Never accept a supply from a
socket outlet or plug having only two
pins, or from a lighting outlet, and
(d) any residual current device (earth
leakage circuit breaker) in the mains
supply to the caravan has been tested
within the last month.
In case of doubt, consult the site owner or
his agent.
2 . Make sure that the switch at the site
supply point is off .
3. Lift the cover of the electricity inlet provided
on the caravan, and insert the connector of
the supply flexible cable.
4. Remove any cover from the socket outlet
provided at the site supply point, and
connect the plug at the other end of the
supply flexible cable to this. Switch on the
main switch at the site supply point.
Note: Use mains cable fully uncoiled and
protect from traffic.
It is important that the main switch at the
site supply point should be switched off,
the supply flexible cable disconnected, and
any cover replaced on the socket outlet at
the site supply point before disconnecting
the flexible cable from the caravan . It is
dangerous to leave the supply socket or
supply flexible cable live .
Because touring caravans are generally left
unused for long periods in the open, it is
strongly advised that the mains installation is
inspected periodically to ensure that it is safe
to use. The IEE Wiring Regulations recommend
that mains installations in touring caravans
are re-inspected every 3 years by a qualified
person who should sign and issue a periodic
inspection report.
NOTE: The manufacturer recommends annual
inspections.
Suitably qualified persons acceptable to
the NCC to sign and issue inspection and
completion certificates are:
• an approved contractor of the National
Inspection Council for Electrical Installation
Contracting* or
• a member of the Electrical Contractors’
Association
• a member of the Electrical Contractors’
Association of Scotland
• a qualified person acting on behalf of the
above (in which event it should be stated
for whom he is acting).
