Electric hook up cable

[Andy Norfolk]

We are going to a site in France next year. We have the plug conversion if we need it. But some of the reviews mention the hook up points are a good distance from the pitches. So much so some people couldn't hook up as the cable wouldn't reach.
I know that I can physically join 2 hook up cables together. Is there any reason that I shouldn't do this? Thanks.

 

[Tombola]

No...make sure they are fully waterproof and be careful where you trail them.
Some will drive right over them so need to be up to the job

 

[VXman]

I often link mine.

 

[ctc]

The French will show you how to do it. Nothing stops them.

 

[HillRunner]

You can join them but they are not waterproof. They will be ok in some rain but ultimately they could get wet inside the plug. I have found the the cable entries for the CEE plugs are particularly vulnerable if water runs down the cable. If the join ended up in a puddle then it could well trip. If it is dry or there are just rain showers then I would expect it to be fine. You can get boxes to provide better protection although none of the ones that I have seen seem to provide an official rating, eg. protective cover. I think something like this is a useful addition.

^{_{Subscribers  do not see these advertisements}}

 

[StillGoing]

I joined a 25m lead to a 10m and they survived the biggest downpour I’ve ever experienced in a massive thunderstorm which lasted hours in France last year. Not a drop of moisture in the connecting plug/socket. As long as you use good quality leads you’ll be fine.

 

[DBK]

We are going to a site in France next year. We have the plug conversion if we need it. But some of the reviews mention the hook up points are a good distance from the pitches. So much so some people couldn't hook up as the cable wouldn't reach.
I know that I can physically join 2 hook up cables together. Is there any reason that I shouldn't do this? Thanks.

I did this last night, hooking our long and short cable together so we could reach the EHU post. Then at about ten o'clock we lost electrics! It was no bother, we had fully charged batteries and as it was bucketing down outside I wasn't going out to investigate anything electrical in the rain and dark.

I had hung the connection in a hedge and was convinced I had hung it upside down and water had got in, tripping the RCD. So convinced this was the case I took a photograph of it this morning before I unplugged from the EHU post.

But nothing had tripped and when I looked again I had hung the connection correctly with the female socket, which plugs into the MH uppermost. A short conversation with a German guy from the next MH along revealed the power cut was over the whole site.

You will see all sorts of arrangements for doing this including putting the connection on top of an upturned bucket if there is no convenient hedge. You will also see them wrapped in a plastic bag.

 

[frwjd]

We carry 3 x 20m leads and have often used them all.

 

[scotjimland]

We are going to a site in France next year. We have the plug conversion if we need it. But some of the reviews mention the hook up points are a good distance from the pitches. So much so some people couldn't hook up as the cable wouldn't reach.
I know that I can physically join 2 hook up cables together. Is there any reason that I shouldn't do this? Thanks.

The 16A coupler is rated IP44 ..this means

An IP rating of IP44 means that a device is “protected against solid foreign objects of 1.0mm Ø and greater” and is “protected against splashing water”.

For waterproof protection use a protective cover.. as linked to above

Watertight Cover for Electrical Connections - F10 Marine

Made of shock-resistant plastic, it makes your electrical connections watertight. Fitted with padlock. For sockets A 16 mm Ø 95 x 365 Padlock holder Yes UOM: PZ Height: 9 cmWeight: 0,29 kg Width: 9 cmCubage: 2.997 cm³ Length: 37 cm

www.f10marine.com

 

[Bessy765]

We have a heavy duty extension lead that has stood up to being driven over for the last four years. Just fully unwind it so it does. Not overheat if a high current draw. It is only used if power is far away.

^{_{Subscribers  do not see these advertisements}}

 

[scotjimland]

If you don't have a protective cover.. I would stand the coupler on a brick or piece of wood to keep it off the ground, then cover with a plastic box, such as an empty ice cream carton, bucket or basin.. then another brick on top to stop it blowing off ..

 

[Fragle]

In 30 years of going to France never needed anything more than a standard length hook up and short adapter to euro plug.

 

[steve69]

When I link mine - I stuff the whole coupling into a plastic carrier bag......simples.

 

[scotjimland]

When I link mine - I stuff the whole coupling into a plastic carrier bag......simples

whatever works for you.. but be careful it doesn't fill up with water, seen it happen

then you'll have hot water for washing up ...

 

[Guigsy]

We only carry a 25m cable and have only once had to move the van a metre so it wasn't too tight a run to get to the box.

But then I'm pretty comfortable staying untethered. It would just save me a bit of gas.

^{_{Subscribers  do not see these advertisements}}

 

[autorouter]

I know that I can physically join 2 hook up cables together. Is there any reason that I shouldn't do this?

I carry two 25m cables and a 15m cable. In some places this means I can park where I want to rather than in the cluster round the hookup point. I rarely use the full 65m length, but when I do it really comes in handy.

The round blue plugs and sockets are rated IP44. The 4 means it's 'weatherproof', ie rain from all directions. But it is not proof against hose jets or immersion. It needs to be raised off the ground to ensure it's never in a puddle. The only reason not to join two cables is that some UK sites have a thing about it, joined cables are forbidden.

 

[Jev88]

I use this to be safe

 

[Tombola]

carry 2 leads , a biggie and a littlie

 

[enark]

I carry two 25m cables and a 15m cable. In some places this means I can park where I want to rather than in the cluster round the hookup point. I rarely use the full 65m length, but when I do it really comes in handy.

The round blue plugs and sockets are rated IP44. The 4 means it's 'weatherproof', ie rain from all directions. But it is not proof against hose jets or immersion. It needs to be raised off the ground to ensure it's never in a puddle. The only reason not to join two cables is that some UK sites have a thing about it, joined cables are forbidden.

Fully agree,

think UK club sites don’t like joined cables as people may assume they are fully waterproof and lay them in puddles etc?

 

[scotjimland]

Fully agree,

think UK club sites don’t like joined cables as people may assume they are fully waterproof and lay them in puddles etc?

correct..

they are conforming with the legislation that applies to all caravan sites in the UK ..

jointed cables should not be used..

requirements of BS 7671:2008+A3:2015.

The connecting flexible cable
The means of connecting the caravan to the pitch socket-outlet should be provided with the caravan. This must have a plug at one end complying with BS EN 60309-2 and a flexible cable with a continuous length of 25 m (±2 m). The connecting flexible cable must be in one length, without signs of damage, not contain joints or other means to increase its length, and have a connector, if needed, that is compatible with the appropriate appliance inlet. The cable should be to the harmonized code H05RN-F (BS EN 50525-2-21) or equivalent, include a protective conductor, have cores coloured as required by Table 51 of BS 7671:2008+A3:2015 and have a cross-sectional area as shown in Table 7.1 of BS 7671:2008+A3:2015.

^{_{Subscribers  do not see these advertisements}}

 

[Brianmor]

This is what I use IP67 good enough for me.
JCE 16A 3 Pin Blue Trailing Plug & Socket 240V IP67 Waterproof, IP67 good for 1m immersion for 30 minutes