Is adding an extra 230v socket a problem in caravans. How are they all connected ie spur or ring? Our existing sockets have silver covers, but all I have seen in dealers are the beige variety. Any suggestions as to where to get different styles from?
Think you will find they are wired as a spur. The silver sockets I know are at B&Q as are other colours. A sparks I ent, but I can do it...... Worth two bob between us!
I will have a look in B&Q. When looking at one of my sockets it had 2 wires coming out, which made me think it was a ring, but could also be a paralel spur. I didn't follow the wire all the way to the end as it disapeared behind the fittings and the main fuse box is difficult to get at, so thought I would ask rather than take the van apart.
The 2 wires coming in and out do not mean it is a ring. If there are 2 sockets on a radial, then the first (and others) will have 2 wires. The end of the radial will have 1 set of wires.
Thanks for your answers. I was wondering what the caravan convention was for 230v circuits. That's why I wasn't presuming a ring. I think I will have to open up the sockets to see the wiring.
Can't say I'm an electrician but I would consider myself competent, I added extra sockets to positons that we needed them in, all I did was break into the factory fitted cable with a junction box & ran cables to new sockets that way. In all I've added 4 No 240v & 3 No 12v sockets. The socket faceplates can be found if you visit a few websites or a local dealer for your type of van.
I did the same as Nick, and added four more (six altogether) - at least we don't have cables trailing all round the 'van. (One was added to the hole where I moved the Water Heater switch, it was under the bed when the double was made up and entailed a bit of "pot-holing" to switch it on and off, not very handy in France when you are on a four or five amp supply and trying to boil the kettle in the morning!)
Just what I wanted to know, as I want to fit an extra in the battery box, so I can run a lead to the awning without having to use the doorway or window. I was toying with the idea of fitting a weatherproof socket outside but I think it might get damp while towing in the rain.
My sockets are wired from a single point, it both come from the Consumer Unit, my last van they were in a radial.
There isnt a convention as suck from what i can find, just what is easiest, and not overloading the cable. Both my vans have had a 10A MCB in for the sockets anyway.
I want to add about 3 more sockets. 1 for a Digibox in a locker and one at the front for the TV and an extra on the work top. In all that will be 7 on the spur, (4 existing and 3 extra). Given the max site power as 10-16 amps I figure that no matter what is plugged in it would be safe as it would blow the main power fuse in the hook-up before damaging the internal wiring or causing an overload on the wiring causing a fire. As you say the 230 volt spur is also limited to 10 amps or about 2300 watts. As long as the wife limits her use of hair straighners and hair dryer all should be well lol.
I fitted a 230V socket from the battery box very quickly and easily on site recently
All I needed to do was to drill a small hole from the battery box near where the mains lead is into the van and after threading through a lead with 13 amp plug on the inside I fitted a double trailing socket on the outer side and inside the battery box
The 13 amp plug then plugged in to a double adapter to the microwave and the trailing socket could be pulled out on site and inside the awning left trailing through the same slot that the mains cable enters by.