Mains Hook-up Cable

[Tweedie]

A silly question - The 25m mains hook up cable that was supplied with our new motorhome is very stiff to handle it's like wrestling with a snake!! when trying to pack it away and it just seems stay kinked, it is rated 16 amp & 2.5mm core which I assume is the norm. Was just wondering if all mains hook ups are the same, will it get more plyable with use. Also would keeping it on a storage reel make it easier to handle. Thanks for advice in advance

 

[ronidog1]

...I think I will stick to the leisure battery and charge it up whilst driving

 

[Enword]

Find your local branch here
http://www.samaritans.org/branches?gclid=CKqry8yos8oCFQcYwwod9kAEbg

 

[Deleted member 29692]

I agree with all your post. Just want to mention these.

No flexible cable is designed to for that is probably correct but some cables are more able to deal with it that others. You only have to have had experience of stripping the outside sheath of a variety of cables to know this. My tough orange cable was a real git to strip, it was as tough as old boot leather. With arctic cable I have to be extremely careful not to go right through to the inner insulation. My previous comments on this subject were based on experience not regs or specs. As to it never happening? I have been on many aires, CL's and small sites where this is exactly what happens on odd occasions. I have even had to dig my cables out of 8" of mud after a 4x4 with caravan decided he liked going the wrong way past my motorhome to avoid a puddle.

I never said anyone needed to throw away cables. Yes, I was being pedantic about it but only to make the point. I even said I used Arctic cable in certain circumstances myself

PS: I have dealt with all types of cable, from Pyro, to armoured 4 core to the more regular types. I still have my certs on this subject somewhere so my comments are not totally blind.

Hook up cables made out of Pyro. Now there's an idea

 

[Glandwr]

After wading through the last 7 pages I can see the mentality that takes an EU directive and gold plates it for the UK. Turning what is a half page of A4 in the other countries into a 14 page document

Dick

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[Gromett]

Hook up cables made out of Pyro. Now there's an idea

The way some people go on it may be an improvement on what they have already

 

[sallylillian]

As I said and Nick reiterated my concern is more with voltage drop if you are discussing EHU cables, especially when you are on say 6 amp EHU. If you have a 1200 watt kettle I think at 230 volts that draws 5.2 amps, so all fine. But if say the post is down to 210 volts thats 5.7 amps, and I have seen 200 volts often, so then you are at the 6 amp limit of the breaker and you have not done anything. So somewhere in that mix a cable that is say 25 metres there is a further voltage drop (someone here will be able to offer the differences between 1.5, 2.5 or 4 mm on 25 metres) which could make the difference to busting the breaker or not.

 

[Gorse Hill]

I think Gromett is talking about the sheathing/insulation flexibility at -15 and you are quoting a spec that shows the conductor temperature rating -30.

Martin

The lowest operating temperature is the same as conductor temperature -30, depending on manufacture as some quote -35
Broken Link Removed

 

[Gorse Hill]

No it hasn't .. I've just decided to listen to more realistic opinions thanks.

Eddie has come up trumps for you, bet your gutted they do them after all that

 

[sdc77]

Eddie has come up trumps for you, bet your gutted they do them after all that

I'm not quite sure what your problem is gh.. I asked.. you couldnt answer but some others did. Just get over it and be nice eh ..
And yes .. You're right I am going to get one.

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[Gorse Hill]

I'm not quite sure what your problem is gh.. I asked.. you couldnt answer but some others did. Just get over it and be nice eh ..
And yes .. You're right I am going to get one.

Thank god for that, I will be able to sleep tonight

 

[scotjimland]

As I said and Nick reiterated my concern is more with voltage drop if you are discussing EHU cables, especially when you are on say 6 amp EHU. If you have a 1200 watt kettle I think at 230 volts that draws 5.2 amps, so all fine. But if say the post is down to 210 volts thats 5.7 amps, and I have seen 200 volts often, so then you are at the 6 amp limit of the breaker and you have not done anything. So somewhere in that mix a cable that is say 25 metres there is a further voltage drop (someone here will be able to offer the differences between 1.5, 2.5 or 4 mm on 25 metres) which could make the difference to busting the breaker or not.

sorry .. incorrect .. let me explain

Low voltage will result in low current which is lower power .. the amps drawn is calculated from Ohms law..

for example.. your 1200 watt kettle at 240 v will use 5amps.. therefore the element has a resistance of 48 ohms (the resistance value is a constant)

if the voltage drops to 200v the current would be I = V/R = 4.17 amps and the power would be V x I = 833 watts

Summing up
the lower the voltage goes, the lower the current is, and the less power in watts .. so the kettle takes longer to boil..

 

[Gorse Hill]

sorry .. incorrect .. let me explain

Low voltage will result in low current which is lower power .. the amps drawn is calculated from Ohms law..

for example.. your 1200 watt kettle at 240 v will use 5amps.. therefore the element has a resistance of 48 ohms (the resistance value is a constant)

if the voltage drops to 200v the current would be I = V/R = 4.17 amps and the power would be V x I = 833 watts

Summing up
the lower the voltage goes, the lower the current is, and the less power in watts .. so the kettle takes longer to boil..

Not always true Jim

For a resistive load the current will decrease in direct proportion to voltage. Motors and other inductive loads may actually draw more current when run under voltage.
A lot depends on what is connected to
the voltage it will either increase or decrease depending on how much of the load is constant impedance and how much constant power

 

[scotjimland]

Not always true Jim

For a resistive load the current will decrease in direct proportion to voltage. Motors and other inductive loads may actually draw more current when run under voltage.

yes.. very aware of that....

I was replying to a post where a kettle was being used.. a resistive load..

 

[sallylillian]

yes.. very aware of that....

I was replying to a post where a kettle was being used.. a resistive load..

Thanks both, I am not an electrician so have just used the calculations I have read so the principle of drop remains although I would have it back to front in Jims analysis, I picked a kettle, should have said Air Con....

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[Glandwr]

sorry .. incorrect .. let me explain

Low voltage will result in low current which is lower power .. the amps drawn is calculated from Ohms law..

for example.. your 1200 watt kettle at 240 v will use 5amps.. therefore the element has a resistance of 48 ohms (the resistance value is a constant)

if the voltage drops to 200v the current would be I = V/R = 4.17 amps and the power would be V x I = 833 watts

Summing up
the lower the voltage goes, the lower the current is, and the less power in watts .. so the kettle takes longer to boil..

You need to take altitude into account too Jim

Dick

 

[eddie]

Personally? If a lead is electrically sound, and there is power through a hook up available, I use it.

We shouldn't loose sight of the fact that we are running a small house ( in some cases) through an extension lead

 

[DBK]

As I said and Nick reiterated my concern is more with voltage drop if you are discussing EHU cables, especially when you are on say 6 amp EHU. If you have a 1200 watt kettle I think at 230 volts that draws 5.2 amps, so all fine. But if say the post is down to 210 volts thats 5.7 amps, and I have seen 200 volts often, so then you are at the 6 amp limit of the breaker and you have not done anything. So somewhere in that mix a cable that is say 25 metres there is a further voltage drop (someone here will be able to offer the differences between 1.5, 2.5 or 4 mm on 25 metres) which could make the difference to busting the breaker or not.

EDIT: Just noticed this has already been answered!

It doesn't work like that, the 1200W rating of the kettle will be at a specific input voltage, say 220V. As the input voltage reduces, or raises, the current will essentially change proportionally, so with a 110V input voltage your kettle will only be drawing half the current it did with 220V input and generating only 600W.

I say essentially, as there is another factor, which is the resistance of the element rises as it heats up so as the voltage reduces the resistance doesn't stay constant and the current won't reduce quite proportionally but the effect is normally only a few percent and doesn't mean the current remains constant or even rises as the voltage reduces.

 

[jockaneezer]

That's it, I'm ripping out all my led's and fitting gas mantles and I'm gonna charge my battery with a dynamo rubbing on the back wheel

 

[sdc77]

My new cable arrived from Rolec. I'm now legal

25m of electric heaven ..

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[eddie]

My new cable arrived from Rolec. I'm now legal

View attachment 90658
25m of electric heaven ..

What rating and spec is you mains inlet socket?

 

[sdc77]

Erm ......
It's the one chausson fitted and made by rosi .. just says 220v 240v on it.
I feel a new thread coming on

 

[eddie]

Erm ......
It's the one chausson fitted and made by rosi .. just says 220v 240v on it.
I feel a new thread coming on

I hope that it meets or exceeds BS 5h1T

 

[Paddywack]

My new cable arrived from Rolec. I'm now legal

View attachment 90658
25m of electric heaven ..

Jesus, hate to think what that cost! Used to buy their pedestals for the Marina when they had a monopoly. Over the years a lot of their ex-employees set up on their own and score better on both price and service.

 

[sdc77]

Jesus, hate to think what that cost! Used to buy their pedestals for the Marina when they had a monopoly. Over the years a lot of their ex-employees set up on their own and score better on both price and service.

I had to buy one that complied with the relevant rules and regs ..

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[PeteH]

So, there we was in Spain, Easter. The "Spanish" turn up for their tradional Easter "Bun Fight". On the next pitch are 3 Tents communally covered by a "Blue Tarp". (getting the picture?). Out of the "transit" and several cars, come the Fridge Freezer, the Full size Domestic Hot plate, the Sandwich maker (electric). Two T-V`s, a "Sound System", An X-Box or similar, Several Hair driers / Straightener thingies. and assorted charging units for Phones etc;. The whole was plugged into a collection a Multi-Block Outlets on the ground and pretty much operated simultaneously on the site 220V EHU. even during prolonged rain.!!. Health and Safety?? Yeh!:. And posters think there is an issue with EHU Power cables? Anyone know the Spanish for "Wimps"??..

Pete

 

[Vanderek]

So whilst we worry about mains leads don't forget where to plug into - this is the camp site at Honfleur - just let the kids plug in for you

 

[gus-lopez]

So whilst we worry about mains leads don't forget where to plug into - this is the camp site at Honfleur - just let the kids plug in for you View attachment 93137

You're too fussy.

 

[PeteH]

So whilst we worry about mains leads don't forget where to plug into - this is the camp site at Honfleur - just let the kids plug in for you View attachment 93137

Now That`s quite tidy, I can even see Earthing!!. I don`t think I`ve ever seen that much Yellow/green cable on a campground hookup. How was the polarity?

Pete