Hookup cables

[Scattycat]

Just out of interest, what length electric hookup cables do folks carry?
I've just checked mine and I must have nearly 50m.
I'm sure I don't really need that much although in 10 years I think I've needed the full length once.

 

[Wonders]

I know the C&MC say 25 metres due to longer lengths having serious voltage drops. I have been known to “daisy chain” two using one of these special boxes to keep the interconnections (16Amp) water proof and safe for people to see and they are lockable

Ian where do you get the joining box from. Seen them on the continent but not here.
Thanks
Ps carry 25 and 10 like many others.
Chris

 

[Ridgeway]

Ours is extendable, it always reaches the sun

 

[Blaydon]

Here is a tip - check the distance from the place you intend to park BEFORE you put it on ramps, or whatever you do to set up - that way you can do a quick wiggle if you need to find a few inches..........so to speak.
D

 

[Deputysherrif]

Just out of interest, what length electric hookup cables do folks carry?
I've just checked mine and I must have nearly 50m.
I'm sure I don't really need that much although in 10 years I think I've needed the full length once.

I have a 10m length of cable which is usually adequate. I have a 25m long cable which I use when the 10m isn't long enough. Only on one occasion over the last three years have I had to use the two of them together and that was only just long enough.

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[deleted79651]

Here is a tip - check the distance from the place you intend to park BEFORE you put it on ramps, or whatever you do to set up - that way you can do a quick wiggle if you need to find a few inches..........so to speak.
D

There is an 'Allo, 'Allo' sketch lurking unwritten 'ere, in which I play René and I enquire of the vivacious next pitch female, whether there is a prospect of squeezing a few inches from my fully extended cable, but of course, I can say this only wance ...

Steve

 

[Conrad J]

Not ploughed through all the replies, so this may have been suggested - buy a plug and a socket, cut your 50m cable into two more manageable lengths. If you need 50m, join them together.

 

[Kasey]

I got told off on a CMC site a couple of weeks ago, I carry 2 x 15m cables and needed to join to reach

club rule says no joining allowed, apparently kids might play with it

no mention of the posts with unlocked covers

The only risk I can really see is damp in the joint, mine have IP 56 seals, the glanded cable entry ones, but that doesn’t matter

Will now add another longer length for next club site visit rare to need it on a club site though from my experience

I have a 'joining box' which has the facility to lock it with a padlock.

 

[Wonders]

Ian where do you get the joining box from. Seen them on the continent but not here.
Thanks
Ps carry 25 and 10 like many others.
Chris

Found your reply/ answer prior to my question
Thanks

 

[Gizmouk]

Another stupid UK rule, modern 1.5mm cable is rated at 16 amps OK if a long cable run and drawing high current you will get a small volt drop, doesn't bother me. It dates back to when 1.5mm cable was rated at 15 amps and because the socket was 16 amp they decided you had to have 20 amp cable.
Standard cable in most other countries is 50m of 1.5mm sq.

Nothing to do with "stupid UK rules", or electrical regulations as we prefer it to be known, but everything to do with fault current discrimination.

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[Richard n Ann]

Nothing to do with "stupid UK rules", or electrical regulations as we prefer it to be known, but everything to do with fault current discrimination.

I'm with Lenny if you have common sense you can take what thickness hook up lead you like

 

[mikehorn]

Whether or not you believe they're “stupid uk rules” or you think you can make up a lead with whatever you fancy, the fact remains that BS7671 is law. End of.

 

[tonyidle]

I have 25M x 2. One is cut 1/3 / 2/3. I use the two-thirds (16M) most often. They're all 2.5sqmm and satisfyingly heavy.

 

[mikehorn]

Your incoming supply circuit breaker in your van is probably a B16. This is rated at 16A continuous. It is a B curve device which must trip at between 3 and 5 times rated current. That means a current of between 48 and 80 amps. Typical B curve tables show a trip time at 3 times rated current of up to 60 seconds and a trip time at 5 times rated current of up to 20 seconds. However at 2.5 times rated current i.e. 40 amps it could take 2 minutes to trip. 1.5mm² cable can take up to 20A but under fault conditions of 80A for up to 20 seconds, it's just not happening. That’s why 2.5mm² is the minimum csa for hookup cables. Common sense really has got nothing to do with it.

 

[Scattycat]

I carry a 25m and a 10m. Mostly I can get away with using the 10m one but occasionally need the 25m.
I’d have thought 50m is much more than you’ll need. If you do keep the 50m, ensure that it is not kept tightly wrapped on a reel when connected. Unwind fully and loop it widely under the van. Plenty of posts about the dangers of keeping mains cable on a drum/reel.

Yep, I've seen too many melted plastic reels.

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[BillyKontiki]

A good bit of lithium, a good bit of solar, a case of john smiths what’s a hook up cable for.

 

[Gizmouk]

Your incoming supply circuit breaker in your van is probably a B16. This is rated at 16A continuous. It is a B curve device which must trip at between 3 and 5 times rated current. That means a current of between 48 and 80 amps. Typical B curve tables show a trip time at 3 times rated current of up to 60 seconds and a trip time at 5 times rated current of up to 20 seconds. However at 2.5 times rated current i.e. 40 amps it could take 2 minutes to trip. 1.5mm² cable can take up to 20A but under fault conditions of 80A for up to 20 seconds, it's just not happening. That’s why 2.5mm² is the minimum csa for hookup cables. Common sense really has got nothing to do with it.

You know that, and I know that.
But the electrical "experts" will always know better

 

[Richard n Ann]

Your incoming supply circuit breaker in your van is probably a B16. This is rated at 16A continuous. It is a B curve device which must trip at between 3 and 5 times rated current. That means a current of between 48 and 80 amps. Typical B curve tables show a trip time at 3 times rated current of up to 60 seconds and a trip time at 5 times rated current of up to 20 seconds. However at 2.5 times rated current i.e. 40 amps it could take 2 minutes to trip. 1.5mm² cable can take up to 20A but under fault conditions of 80A for up to 20 seconds, it's just not happening. That’s why 2.5mm² is the minimum csa for hookup cables. Common sense really has got nothing to do with it.

What we're talking about is the difference between classroom and real life. I'm a realist

I see it all the time, there was a bloke on a video on here the other week testing out an electric scooter, a driving instructor farting about on it, yes the highway code might have agreed with him but in real life he made a right tit of himself

 

[mikehorn]

You know that, and I know that.
But the electrical "experts" will always know better

You’re right. I’m done here. Take care, there’s a lot of idiots out there!

 

[Clive Mott]

The standard length of a Hookup lead is 25M. The cable size is 1.5 mm sq. If the cable is longer than 25M the cable size should be 2.5 mm sq. Never join Hookup cables as invariably the join will end up laying in a puddle on a rainy day. My Hookup cable is 30M long 1.5 mm sq Artic grade PVC blue in colour. This means that we have a chance at some shows if we are parked close to the exhibitors pitches we can plug in without being noticed!!

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[Cal54]

I had two 25mt ones so cut one of them up into a 10 and 15 metre and now have short, medium and long!!

 

[Clive Mott]

I also have a DIY 300mm long extender with a twin 13A socket teed into the back of one plug. When pitched up and awning and safari room deployed this then gives two outside sockets for either charging the leccy bikes or powering a cheap induction hob. Saves gas and is safer.

 

[Clive Mott]

A quick check.
At the start of each season release the shroud retaining screws and slide back the shrouds each end. Using a screwdriver check that all the wire clamp screws are properly tight. Put back the shrouds. Inspect the cable along it's full length to ensure the outer sheath is not damaged. The vibration of vehicle movement does encourage the screws to become slack.,

 

[David BW]

10m (normally long enough) & 25m which is occasionally needed, of course that also gives the 35m option too.

 

[gerry mcg]

I use these on 1.5mm2 blue Arctic cable to ensure watertight connections if joined and lying on the ground.

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[Conrad J]

Not ploughed through all the replies, so this may have been suggested - buy a plug and a socket, cut your 50m cable into two more manageable lengths. If you need 50m, join them together.

BTW, I'm meaning to use proper hook-up plug and socket, get them from motor caravan dealers. At present, I've got a household plug on one of them so can charge the van/chill the fridge before a trip. Carry a hook-up plug in the boot so can swop over if I need to join the two 20m together.

 

[autorouter]

I use these on 1.5mm2 blue Arctic cable to ensure watertight connections if joined and lying on the ground.

Yes they are great, but just one problem. They don't fit the hookup inlet on the MH. So I bought some, and they are yet more unused stuff lying around in the garage.

 

[gerry mcg]

Yes they are great, but just one problem. They don't fit the hookup inlet on the MH. So I bought some, and they are yet more unused stuff lying around in the garage.

They do on mine

 

[knickam]

Your incoming supply circuit breaker in your van is probably a B16. This is rated at 16A continuous. It is a B curve device which must trip at between 3 and 5 times rated current. That means a current of between 48 and 80 amps. Typical B curve tables show a trip time at 3 times rated current of up to 60 seconds and a trip time at 5 times rated current of up to 20 seconds. However at 2.5 times rated current i.e. 40 amps it could take 2 minutes to trip. 1.5mm² cable can take up to 20A but under fault conditions of 80A for up to 20 seconds, it's just not happening. That’s why 2.5mm² is the minimum csa for hookup cables. Common sense really has got nothing to do with it.

Can you please give a credible example of how a continuous fault current of 40 to 80 amps can occur in the system you describe?

 

[AndyT4]

Just out of interest, what length electric hookup cables do folks carry?
I've just checked mine and I must have nearly 50m.
I'm sure I don't really need that much although in 10 years I think I've needed the full length once.

Hi, a few years ago we stayed in Gent at Blaarmeersen sports and camping site (huge) and we were told that depending on where we were pitched 50m could be needed!! Now that's bulky if not on a bobbin and very heavy, as luck had it we only needed approx. 20 m.
Also they would not allow extensions/joints, not sure if it's allowed here (the BS4343 plug/socket is weather resistant but not waterproof or tamper proof). Our standard 25m has never failed us.

As they say...'get a life before life gets you'!

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[TonyEmm]

No it isn't. It is IP44 rated, which means weatherproof. It is exactly the same rating as the blue plugs and sockets, so putting the orange cover round them is no better waterproofing. Neither are proof against immersion in standing water, which is why you should ensure your plug won't be in a puddle when it rains.

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