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Topic: Electric Sockets In Wet Locker
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25/6/2007 at 12:27pm
Location: West Sussex Outfit: Abbey Vogue 2 650 & Nissan Pathfinder
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Hi
My husband and I purchased a brand new Sterling Europa 540 last year from our local dealer. There limited edition version of the van came with a 12v and a mains socket in the outside locker, however we chose to have the standard sterling and not the dealers own and this didn't come with the mains socket, only the 12v. However the dealer said that they would put the mains socket in for us but couldn't wire it up as they wern't qualified to do so!. I was amazed!. How do they check the electrics when the van goes in for a service if there not qualified. So to this end we have a plug socket that we cannot use and are still having to have leads through windows.
Any suggestions? Could I just ask a local electrician to help? or are they not qualfiied for this kind of thing either. I don't want to invalidate our warranty in any way.
Suggestions appreciated
Thanks
Mandy
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25/6/2007 at 9:48pm
Location: Kent Outfit: Vango Diablo 600 and Bailey Ranger 500
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Hi MandyB
Installation, inspection and testing go hand in hand. You must inspect AND test to ensure the installation is safe.
IMO all distributors offering a periodic service should be competitant to install and test the installation. Not only is it an added value service, but it is fundamental to the safety of the customer. It's incredible that the 230Vac system is of one of the two most likely services in a caravan that could kill you and a service centre isn't qualified to work on it. Unlike a domestic installation a caravan is subject to a great deal of vibration in transit. A periodic inspection and test of the electricals is essential to ensure they remain safe.
You can fit a socket yourself, if you know what you are doing, and yes, its not difficult, but mistakes in a caravan will kill you as easily as in a house. A service provider has far more responsibility than a DIYer.
My advice, find a caravan service centre that can do the work (AND TEST IT) or get an electrician. Make sure they are NICEIC, ECA or ELECSA registered. These electricians are audited periodically to ensure their work is an acceptable standard. Its not essential, as caravans fall outside the Part P building regulations controls, but good practice.
It's not in the gas locker is it?
PS
By the way, there are limitations to what and where you can change in a house, covered by Part P of the building regulations. Kitchens, bathrooms and outdoor installations are notifiable changes and cannot be done without notification, see below: http://www.elecsa.org.uk/downloads/ELECSA_Notifiable_Locations.pdf I linked to ELECSA as NICEIC get all the publicity.
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26/6/2007 at 9:16pm
Location: Kent Outfit: Vango Diablo 600 and Bailey Ranger 500
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As I mentioned yesterday, I can confirm that the 230Vac electrical installations in a caravan fall outside the scope of Part P building control. This means that changes can be done by the DIYer without the need to use a registered electrician (ie Part P competent person scheme).
HOWEVER, this does not change the advice I gave that any 230Vac electrical work should only be attempted by a person with the necessary skills and knowledge (ie competent), otherwise I would recommend a qualified electrician does the work.
If you need assistance on finding an electrician, I would recommend you go to the Electrical Safety Council, who have an links to registered electricians database :
http://www.electricalsafetycouncil.org.uk/
They also have some useful information on electricity, RCD's etc.
MandyB (my apology for calling you WendB in may last post)
I'm sorry for wandering off the subject, but I agree with your initial point that Dealers should be qualified to do the work, and to test the installation properly. Hopefully public awareness of electrical installations will improve and more dealers will look at providing the service the general public expect to receive.
regards Mark
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