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Quote: Originally posted by navver on 14/11/2009

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IEE Regs say the hookup cable MUST be supplied with the caravan when new. This is to make sure it is compatible and safe. 

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Then Black is fine then as my cable came new when the van was new and is black, it is the best cable I have ever had wonderfully supple and never kinks or beomes permanently coiled.

Quote: Originally posted by ArtJackson on 14/11/2009

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If you buy a ready made hookup cable in the UK it is normally orange. Thick 16amp cable. If the yellow cable you have is in good condition & is thick flexible 3 core it will be ok. The usual length for a hookup cable is 25mtres.

There is no regulation as to colour. Blue cable is normally referred to as Arctic cable as it stays flexible at low temperatures.

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 the above poster has it correct I use blue Arctic cable as we caravan the year round

 and it tends to get a bit chilly up here.

BEWARE - There are two standards for these cables.

BS7919, 3183A (Arctic Grade Flex) is 110 volt centre tapped to earth and is NOT suitable for use on caravan sites at 230volts.

BS6500, 3183Y is suitable for 230volts for domestic, office and similar environments. This is for down to +5deg C.

I have two orange cables ( both of which were supplies as 25m leads for caravan use from caravan dealers )  and the black one that came with my van, and neither of the orange cables is as thick as the extremely flexible black one that I have.

Quote: Originally posted by LegsDownKettleOn on 18/11/2009

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I believe the insulation on the orange cable is thicker as it is prone to getting driven over on sites. It is also rated for cold weather and outdoor use. The blue arctic cable does not have the extra insulation, hence its improved flexibility. As such is more susceptible to insulation damage if it is driven over.

If the insulation becomes damaged then potentially sections of live wire could be exposed to the elements and more worryingly to the public. Whilst the trip switch in the bollard should trip if someone were to get a shock, however I am not going to volunteer to test it.

Should the insulation fail and someone touch the cable and the trip switch fail the resulting shock would probably be fatal and the ramifications huge. Who would be responsible? The site owner for a faulty hook up or the caravanner for having an unsuitable hook up lead?

Personally I wouldn't want to take the chance for the cost of a lead. Even if you have the wire already, for the cost of the plug and socket you can buy a proprietory lead.

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The reason arctic cable is more flexible is because it is made of a different type of plastic, not because it has a thinner insulation.

I've used a blue cable for many years. No campsite has ever commented on it or challenged it, and it has the same insulation thickness as the orange cable, but it is far more flexible. As for damage, the cable, being more flexible, does not damage easily. My cable shows not the slightest mark or scuff on the cable even after years of use. It is designed for outdoor equipment, often in tough environments. After all why do you think the IP44 16A plugs are blue.

Apart from being able to identify my cable more easily at a crowded bollard, it winds up on a ladder type cable tidy far easier than the standard orange cable.

Hi

I've just been told that we will NOT be allowed to use blue cables on ANY camp site - is this true please?

Who told you that 3newcampers?

I've never been asked on any site about my hookup lead

Quote: Originally posted by snifferg on 07/5/2010

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Who told you that 3newcampers?

I've never been asked on any site about my hookup lead

 

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The local motorhome showroom where I was asking what they had in stock. He was adament - I was v surprised!

Probably because they only sell orange, lol!!