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Hi Forum

I have just noticed that when connected to the 240v electric hookup at home I am getting a small shock/tingle from the caravan door frame.  I have had a google around but all the answers seemed far to technical for me and usually digressed onto something else.

Is it that the caravan isn't earthed properly?  Where is the van usually earthed, on the chassis?

I am a bit worried about this as I have children and hoping to sort this out without having the expense of taking to a servicing place.

Please, if anybody has any ideas, let me know (in the best laymans terms possible )

Many thanks

Quote: Originally posted by clever on 07/6/2012

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I would suggest you get this checked out by a qualified electrician ASAP. When you touch the frame you are earthing the leak and hence feel the tingle.
Does your van have an RCD fitted?

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^^^this^^^

You have an earth leakage problem, abit like a short circuite instead of to neutral, you have one to earth and it can be pottentially dangerous.

Yes an RDC is fitted but it doesn't trip.  I have held a multimeter, black in my hand and red against the door frame and is reading around 3 to 4 volts.  As said I'm not technically minded so I don't really know what this means.

Is there some wiring I could track myself to find the leak?  Is it similar to a car battery where it might be a bad earth and just needs cleaning and tightening etc?

Thanks for your help.

Hi ,Are you sure this is AC voltage? I Know you say when you plug mains in, but this powers up the charger for battery unless mcb/fuses are pulled.

Knock of the mcb/ fuses and remove your dc fuses see if voltage is still there .

If it is then you know it is on the supply side

If it is not then start with the dc then ac and put fuses/mcb in 1 at a time until voltage returns this will identify which circuit it is on

An RCD works on a neutral earth fault/ diff and may not pick up on a small live earth fault,this would normally be picked up by mcb( have you an older van with fuses only ask as these are not as sensitive as mcb) as you are only getting a very small voltage on the frame, sounds like a bad earth connection or live in contact with damp/frame

Start with the very basics look at the connections in the supply lead these can get rought handling and connections come loose, then in connection socket and then main earthing point on van, awning light could also cause issues.

 If you are not overly confident i would consault an electrician.Be Safe and good luck 

RCD's operate on live to earth faults and neutral earth faults and are more sensitive than an MCB,an RCD is designed to protect from electrocution an MCB is designed to protect the circuit it controls from overcurrent and the risk of fire,it offers very little in the way of personal protection.

Is the supply to the van from your house protected by an RCD?

Saxo1

Guys

Thanks for all of your replies.

I went through systematically turning switches on and off and no matter what I did could not find the fault.......until...... I found out, to my horror, that the earth lead from my home plug socket had come loose!! So reconnected earth, plugged van in and 'hey presto', no voltage on door frame......

So not a van fault after all.

Again thanks for your help and assistance.

Regards
Pete