7.9.2 - Caravan installations

The requirements for the electrical installation are listed below, numbers relating to those shown on {Fig 7.11}.

1. - An inlet coupler to BS EN 60309-2 with its keyway at position 6h must be provided no higher than 1.8 m above the ground.

2. - A spring hinged lid which will close to protect the coupler socket when travelling must be fitted.

3. - A clear and durable notice must be provided beside the inlet coupler to indicate the voltage, frequency and current of the caravan installation.

Fig 7.11 - Requirements for the installation in a caravan

4. - Protection by automatic disconnection (as for all other installations) but using double pole MCBs to disconnect all live conductors, together with a double pole RCD complying with BS 4293, BS EN 61008-1 or BS EN 61009-1 with an operating current of 30 mA and means of isolating the complete caravan installation must be used.

5. - durable notice must be fixed beside the isolator with the wording shown in {Table 7.5},

	Table 7.5 - Instructions for electricity supply
	To Connect
1.	Before connecting the caravan installation to the mains supply, check that : a) - the supply available at the caravan pitch supply point is suitable for the caravan installation and appliances, and b) - the caravan main switch is in the OFF position.
2.	Open the cover to the appliance inlet provided at the caravan supply point and insert the connector of the supply flexible cable
3.	Raise the cover from the electricity outlet provided on the pitch supply point and insert the plug of the supply cable. The caravan supply flexible cable must be fully uncoiled to avoid damage by overheating.
4.	Switch ON at the caravan main switch
5.	Check the operation of residual current devices, if any, fitted in the caravan by depressing the test button.
	In case of doubt or if, after carrying out the above procedure the supply does not become available, or if the supply fails, consult the caravan park operator or his agent or a qualified electrician.
	To Disconnect
6.	Switch off at the caravan main isolating switch and unplug both ends of the cable.
	Periodical Inspection
	Preferably not less than once every three years and more frequently if the vehicle is used more than normal average mileage for such vehicles, the caravan electrical installation and supply cable should be inspected and tested and a report on its condition obtained as prescribed in BS 7671 (formerly the Regulations for Electrical Installations) published by the Institution of Electrical Engineers.

6. - All circuits must be provided with a protective conductor. All sockets are to be three pin with earthed contact and must have no accessible conductive parts. If two or more systems at different voltages are in use, the plugs of the differing systems must not be interchangeable. ELV sources must be 12 V, 24 V or 48 V when dc, or 12 V, 24 V, 42 V or 48 V when ac. Such ELV sockets must have their voltage clearly marked. Wiring may be flexible or with at least seven strands in non-metallic conduit (wiring systems which will allow fire to spread along them must not be used) or sheathed flexible cables, with the smallest conductor being 1.5 mm² in cross-sectional area. Where 240 V and extra-low voltage circuits (usually 12 V) are both used, the cables of the two systems must be run separately and must both be insulated for 240 V. Since the wiring will be subjected to vibration when the caravan is moved, great care must be taken to ensure that bushes or grommets are used where it passes through metalwork.

7. - Enclosed luminaires must be fixed directly to the structure or lining of the caravan. Where luminaires are of the dual voltage type (240 V mains and 12 V battery supply) they must be fitted with separate and different types of lampholder, with proper separation between wiring of the two supplies, and be clearly marked to indicate the lamp wattages and voltages. They must be designed so that both lamps can be illuminated at the same time without causing damage.

8. - Pendant luminaires must have arrangements to secure them whilst the caravan is being moved.

9. - All metal parts of the caravan, with the exception of metal sheets forming part of the structure, must be bonded together and to a circuit protective conductor, which must not be smaller than 4 mm² except where it forms part of a sheathed cable or is enclosed in conduit.

10. - Sheathed cables must be supported at intervals of at least 400 mm where run vertically, or 250 mm horizontally unless run in non-metallic rigid conduit.

11. - No electrical equipment may be installed in a compartment intended for the storage of gas cylinders.

Where a caravan appliance may be exposed to the effects of moisture, it must be protected to lp55 (protected from dust and from water jets). Every caravan which includes an electrical installation must be provided with a flexible lead not more than 25 m long fitted with a BS EN 60309-2 plug and a BS EN 60309-2 connector with the keyway at position 6h. The cross-sectional area of the cable must be related to the rated current of the plug as shown by {Table 7.6}.

Table 7.6 - Cross-sectional areas of flexible cables ---------------- and cords for supplying caravan connectors
Rated current of plug (A)	Cross-sectional area (mm²)
16	2.5
25	4.0
32	6.0
63	16.0