Electricity for campers and caravans, a guide to hooking up

When you connect to any camping site hook-up point you will normally receive a nominal 230V, single phase, 0Hz supply. You should find a label on your equipment that will tell you if it is suitable for this type of supply.
YOUR SUPPLY CABLE
The socket outlet of the campsites hook-up points complies with the British Standard BS EN 60309-2. Your connecting lead must have a plug to match this socket outlet and a connector to match the inlet to your unit. Suitable leads fitted with the appropriate plug and socket are available from most camping or caravan dealers. Your connecting lead should be 25 meters in length. If it is shorter it may not reach the nearest hook-up. The use of a second cable should be avoided, but if used it must be fitted with the British Standard plug and connector. The connection between the two cables should be raised off the ground. Taped cable joints and ordinary 13 amp plugs and sockets must not be used under any circumstances.
HOOK-UP POST
Each Club hook-up post is individually protected against overload by a Miniature Circuit Breaker (MCB) and Residual Current Device (RCD). The MCB is a safety measure and limits the amount of current that you can draw from the mains. Most hook-ups on Club sites have a maximum rating of 10 amps, although some have 16 amps. To avoid accidental operation of the breaker and consequential loss of supply make sure that the total wattage of your equipment you have switched on at any one time is less than 2300 watts (or 3,680 for 16 amp sites). Each item of electrical equipment normally has its wattage marked on it. Beware of using ordinary domestic kettles or fan heaters. Some of them can draw almost 10 amps on their own! Special low wattage kettles and fan heaters are available from camping and caravan dealers. Each socket outlet of the hook-up point is individually protected by the RCD which is designed to cut off the supply in the event of a fault occurring in your connecting lead, caravan or other camping unit.
CONNECTING UP
Pitch your unit and then make sure that the isolating switch in your unit is in the off position. Connect your cable first to the unit and then to the camp site hook-up outlet. It is a good idea before turning on your appliances to check that the electrical supply to your unit is working correctly. Use a mains tester, obtainable from most
camping dealers, which will tell you if your electrical circuits are safe to use.
DISCONNECTING
When you are ready to go, first switch off the isolating switch in your unit. Disconnect the cable from the hookup outlet socket and then remove the cable from your unit. Motor caravanners leaving their pitch temporarily should take the cable with them to avoid theft. Do not leave disconnected cables lying about.
LOSS OF SUPPLY
On Club campsites, any loss of supply should be reported to the HSM as soon as possible. If the loss of supply is because you have overloaded the circuit or misused your equipment there may be a charge for restoring your electricity supply. Please do not ask site staff to attend to hook-ups before 9am or after 9pm.

This article was provided on behalf of the Camping and Caravanning Club

About the Author

Ashley Gilmour wrote this article on behalf of the Camping and Caravanning Club

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