Message Forums

Hi was wondering has anyone else added extra electric sockets? We lack in sockets and have none at the rear end of the caravan and was looking to add a couple.

Any advice please?

Kind Regards

Angela

Hi Angela, I don't think its too difficult as long as you stick to a few important rules and you must have a modicum of electrical knowledge or get a professional in to do it.

 Use flexible cable not the solid core stuff used in domestic wiring.

 Be careful where you route it so that it can't get damaged.

Don't be tempted to add too many sockets.

Dave

Hello Dave, thank you for taking time to reply, my hubby has a good knowledge of electrics.

Thank you for your advice

Angela

Thats handy, we're fitting another one this week, with help from clever person.

Are you using a standard size socket plate or a specialist size one?

jesse

Hi angela999, It is an easy job to add extra sockets in van, you have to decide where you will place them, where the cable is going to run, EG: if under van cable should be in some form of conduit tubing, and secured every foot,( to prevent sagging and damage from any road obstacles that may damage it), there should be no bare wire showing at any of the connection points, I would assume that the cable may have to be in ring main?,(cable coming from main box to sockets and return to main box(1 out and 1 return loop), I am no electrician, the electricians on here will be able to clarify this, if the cable you use is the flat type with bare earth wire, this will need to be sleeved(green yellow),I may be stating the obvious here but, if doing this your self make sure that you have the AC power switched off at mains and hook up is disconnected and the battery is disconnected 12Volts can still give you a bit of a jolt. Red wire(live) to L on socket, Blue wire(common or negative) to the C or N on socket, in fuse box, there are 2 brass rails(Bus Rails) Common or Negative, and the Earth Rail, on the Fuse or Circuit Breaker’s dead side(switch off no power this is where red wire connects, usually in the top of CB ). Having said all that, a word of caution, this work may have to be carried out by a qualified electrician( Health and Safety) and any work done that is not certificated could void any insurance or warranty that you have, and you could also be held liable for any damage done to other property or persons, fire, shocks, etc. I do not wish to scare you, but you may wish to seriously consider these points before embarking on any electrical work.

Nothing is simply these days.     

I used this firm last year when I fitted 2 doubles and a single to our FC.

As previously stated, just run from the existing last socket.

I know that the power that will be used by these new sockets will be low and that these sockets will never be overloaded.

The cable used should be a flexible 230v cable with a minimum size of 1.5mm and a minimum of 7 strands, flat twin and earth isn't approved,if it is in ducting the ducting must be non metallic,if it passes through the chassis or metallic surface it must be protected by bushes or grommets and must be run seperately from any 12v wiring

It doesn't need to be certified as DIY electrics in a caravan aren't covered by part P .

Saxo1

When I installed the single socket at the front of the FC, I had a choice of routing the cable through the Gas Locker or under the floor.

I chose to go under the floor in ducting that I had left over from the installation of the motor mover.

Wherever I went through the floor, the hole was sealed both inside and outside to stop any damp from getting into the floor laminations.