Thread: 240V electrical work in Vans

Originally Posted by DoubleChevron

Most caravan parks have RCD breakers in there power poles these days.... and most homes. They probably save countless people each year (they sure are amazing devices!).

They are,but shouldn’t be relied on.

They also give you quite a big whack,before tripping,don’t ask me how I know.

Originally Posted by scarry

Sort of.

i had this out with an electrical inspector.

I can disconnect and reconnect,basically,only, as part of my work trade,such as compressors,pumps,fan motors,contacters,controllers,pressure switches,etc,etc.
I can also do any fault finding,as part of my trade.Three phase,single phase,whatever.
We do this all day.
I can't run fixed cabling.Cant even replace the interconnecting cable for a split system,because the last person ran cables that do not comply with the regs.

So technically,i can replace a light fitting in a cool room,but not one at home.I also can't technically fit a new 15A inlet to a van,or replace a power point at home.This work is not part of my trade.

Not that i would do anything like that anyway

Put it another way,some plumbers have restricted electrical tickets,they can only disconnect and reconnect heaters in hot water systems,that is part of their trade.As an example,they can't replace a contacter or defrost timer in a mechanical switchboard.

Dave,so yours must be a different type of electrical ticket than mine?

yeah, mine was for elec test and repair on fixed and portable mil gear. so so long as its not replacing a fixed run of wiring (and working out the definition of that on a mobile units fun) or whole assemblies (junction boxes/ dist boards)I can swap like for like

Originally Posted by scarry

They are,but shouldn’t be relied on.

They also give you quite a big whack,before tripping,don’t ask me how I know.

Yes, indeed they do... 😇

Originally Posted by DoubleChevron

Most caravan parks have RCD breakers in there power poles these days.... and most homes. They probably save countless people each year (they sure are amazing devices!).

It is actually mandatory for ALL caravan parks to have RCDs fitted to all powered site supply outlets.

The problem is they are not inspected enough and are not correctly tested.

It is commonplace for the to be wired in reverse, to have defective RCDs and so on.

You are far better off making sure your own caravan is safe before you go near a caravan park.

as an opener for anyone in the melbish area who can line it up.

I have a good tester at work and if you're willing to make the effort to schedule it I'll run the tester on the van power for you.

All our guys now carry an Ampfibian

Compare | Bunnings Warehouse,

I would recommend one of these RVD devices instead of a plain RCD. Residual Voltage Technology | Generators, Inverters, RVD-SAFE(R) Power Leads, RCD, RVD, Electrical Earth, Earthing, Electrical Safety, Wet Environments
This thing protects against inverted wiring connections & also works when running van off a generator.

Slightly off topic, Electric Vehicles are different again, When you look into the regulations VSB 14 / NCOP14 the high voltage wiring can be done by anyone 'competent' no mention of 'qualified' and I quote 'and executed in accordance with acceptable codes and standards.'

and "SPECIAL NOTESELECTRICAL INSTALLATIONS
Before starting construction of an electric vehicle some knowledge can be gained by reading
Australian/New Zealand Standard AS/NZS 3000:2000: Electrical installations (known as the Australian/New Zealand Wiring Rules), in particular, section 7.9 Hazardous Areas."

so apparently 'some knowledge' is all you need , then get your 240v side and charge cable test and tagged , your good to go.

So be careful whose EV you lean against

Originally Posted by Vern

Should be national recognition for trades.

I think that will only happen when we abolish the state's.