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Probably just scaremongers, but it is also a timely reminder that we should all keep the electrics and all parts of our caravans / motorhomes etc up to scratch and it good serviceable working order.

Cheers  Ratty

Quote: Originally posted by marlot on 23/1/2010

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>> This has nothing what so ever to do with Caravan Owners and therefore has no authority over what you do or do not do with your caravan.

I agree. The problem comes when site owners feel that they are obliged to see the certificate before letting us plug into the EHU.

We've been thinking of selling the van at the end of the season and giving up. If we're asked for this then that'll make our minds up!

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If that ever happened every caravan site in the country would be empty.

The majority of caravan owners in the UK are not members of forums like this or even the two major clubs and therefore have no way of knowing that this certificate is being discussed.

I cannot in all honesty, imagine any caravan site owner turning away customers because of the whims of the NCC.

The service certificate that I get yearly is purely to cover the warranty on the van and for my own peace of mind. In the case of the latter, I will continue to get this certificate after the warranty has expired. However, that certificate is for us alone and stays with the other documents in the filing cabinet at home. It is not and never will be taken in the van and shown to anyone else.

Quote: Originally posted by navver on 22/1/2010

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Quote: Originally posted by Grumpy01 on 22/1/2010

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I wonder how many charger units will have to be  blown up during testing befor this stops? And how qualified will the test be and will they be NICEIC registed, i for one will want to see the testers certs, will the test be carried out using YOUR mains hook lead,what if you refuse the test and do your own? The CC have no way of proving your caravan is safe at the site only by the cert that has been issued by J Bloogs from testmyvan.com

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A properly conductred test will only test the installation, not vulnerable equipment such as chargers. Your mains lead should also be inspected as part of the test.

The regs are asking for the caravan site to be tested and inspected as well.

Your safety depends on all links in the chain working together, thats why regs cover all parts of the system from the power station to your toaster in your caravan.

I know you all think its health and safety gone mad, but a caravan is listed in the regs as a special location, meaning it has particular and greater risks to life than a normal domestic installation. It therefore makes sense to have it tested regularly.

I guess, after reading the NCC release,, that eventually insurers will not pay out.if you don't have a current certificate.

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Im not saying it has anything to do with the CC but been mentioned on other forums that from April they will ask to see PIR before allowing you to use EHU.

Quote: Originally posted by Surfer01 on 23/1/2010

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It is surmised that caravans are a very aggressive environment for electric cabling. On what planet do these people live?

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The IET formerly Institute of Electrical Engineers (IEE) have designated caravans and motor homes to be special; locations along with such dangerous locations as swimming pools. This does not apply to static caravans. The IEE have written the wiring regulations for buildings for many years. When problems are found, such as fires and electrocutions, they change the regs to suit.

Caravans are dangerous because they have no permanent earthing, are supplied by a potentially faulty mains lead from a potentially faulty site installation. They are metal boxes outdoors in the wet. The cables are subject to vibration whilst towing. Normal house wiring cable (solid conductor not stranded) is not permited in caravans  precisely because it workhardens with movement and becomes brittle and breaks.

Every time you step in and out of your caravan, you are in simultaneous contact with ground and the metal body. At this point, your life relies solely on the integrity of the electrical installation and the protective measures that have been designed and installed into the caravan and site supplies and electricity board systems. All the fuses and circuit breakers, the impedances of the conductors and earthing, the insulation resistance, the polarity etc etc,

PIRs are recommended for houses every five years if in good condition, or less if they are in poor condition as specified by the tester..Most resposible employers and landlords have this done. The same applies to gas installations.

Presumably when you get on an aeroplane would you be happy if it hadn't been checked since the day it was made. I don't think so.

Quote: Originally posted by navver on 23/1/2010

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Quote: Originally posted by Surfer01 on 23/1/2010

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It is surmised that caravans are a very aggressive environment for electric cabling. On what planet do these people live?

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TThe cables are subject to vibration whilst towing.

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Quote: Originally posted by saxo1 on 23/1/2010

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PIR forms are available on line and anyone could fill one out, so how the site owner could tell the genuine ones I dont know.
Saxo1

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true, the only way to tell a true one is to phone the sparks registered body, and check the serial number of the testers equipment against the one on the form.

to put people at ease, PIRs are done with power off, and disconnected in the CU, the RCD would be damaged from many of the tests.

I`ll be able to do my own before too long.

On further investigation about this I think you will find the answer HERE.

It is all to do with caravan site licensing and the only "caravans" that are involved are static vans that are owned by the site operator, or privately owned vans that are rented out through the site owner. The test will also include all electrical items within the van, hence the 4 hour test time.

Private static vans that are used only by the owner of the static van are not subject to PIR Testing, nor are touring vans.

There is more on this website but that covers what we are talking about here.

So maybe now we can all breathe a sigh of relief and get back to wiring our van's fuse boxes with silver foil and chewing gum.