stevebrassett
Well-Known Member
I have just invested £40 of my hard-earned dosh on the recommendation of posters on here on one of the 3-socket leads. I want it for both boating and camping. Not used it yet but it looks a well-made piece of kit.
Wiring for shore power
- Thread starter richardh10
- Start date
aquaplane
Well-Known Member
I forgot to mention, because all three sockets are so close together it's impossible to use the socket next to one of these moulded on plugs, the wire entry sticks out too far.
I took off the top socket and remounted it after turning it through 90°.
I took off the top socket and remounted it after turning it through 90°.
Jean
Well-Known Member
What is important, and not necessarily made clear in advertisers spec's, is that protective device has to be double pole for campsites and marinas (so the it interrupts both line and neutral if it trips). Additionally, it is desirable, but not essential, that RCD has a lower trip current than the supply socket that it is plugged in to (supply sockets typically use 30mA RCD's). Then the user one should trip before the supply socket one trips.
Also, some food for thought: Is your marina supply fully compliant with both the IET regulations (BS7671), and even more important as it's Law, the ESQCR regulations, which basically insist that the supply system protective conductor and neutral functions are not using the same supply cable core (known as a PME system). If not, you may find that your protective devices do not trip under some fault conditions that they should protect you against.
Also, some food for thought: Is your marina supply fully compliant with both the IET regulations (BS7671), and even more important as it's Law, the ESQCR regulations, which basically insist that the supply system protective conductor and neutral functions are not using the same supply cable core (known as a PME system). If not, you may find that your protective devices do not trip under some fault conditions that they should protect you against.
VicS
Well-Known Member
This then is where a garage consumer unit falls short of the requirements in having an RCD and two SP MCBs . It would have to be installed in conjunction with a DP Circuit breaker in the incoming supply.
I note also that the consumer units supplied by Merlin Powerstore are similar in having an RCD and SP circuit breakers for each circuit
VicMallows
Well-Known Member
Even that would not achieve the intent of the requirement because the SP device could trip without the DP device tripping. All protective devices (overload or RCD) need to to interrupt both L and N.
(whether or not you consider this overkill is a different matter)
VicS
Well-Known Member
I have not seen the latest version of Iso 13297 but the previous version only required DP circuit breakers on branch circuits on non-polarised systems . SP circuit breakers ( or a fuses) were all that was required on polarised systems.
A DP circuit breaker was required within 0.5m of the input connection in both cases.
Are you suggesting that this has changed in the new edition and that DP circuit breakers and switches are now required in all cases .
pmagowan
Well-Known Member
Maybe what I am doing is wrong but I have a 'smart charger' which, when in the marina, I simply plug in to a shore line which has a standard double household 3pin socket at the end of it. This charges the batteries, powers the whole 12v circuit and has one spare 240v socket for if I have anything else to run. I leave this all attached when away from the boat to keep the batteries in good nic.
I use a bep battery monitor which has a shunt to monitor amps capacity. I mostly use the volts function. I should get an RCD for my shore power cable.
I use a bep battery monitor which has a shunt to monitor amps capacity. I mostly use the volts function. I should get an RCD for my shore power cable.
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VicS
Well-Known Member
It would be very wise to use an RCD
RCD protected sockets are avaialble ... not sure though if available as a trailing socket for an extension lead.
But one of the Camping and caravanning units featured earlier in the thread would be better, as they also have a double pole circuit breaker built in.
To leave connected while you are away perhaps you should be looking at the idea of a proper fixed shorepower installation.
David2452
Well-Known Member
I think there is a misunderstanding here, There is no absolute requirement for a circuit breaker within 0.5m of inlet in the current or previous version of 13297.
Branch circuits from the distribution panel in polarised systems only require over current protection on the active phase, DP are not required.
Most garage units, in fact I think all supplied now are equipped with a DP RCD, I don't recall the last time I fitted an active phase only type.
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VicS
Well-Known Member
This is what I am quoting re the requirement for a DP circuit breaker within 0.5m of the inlet
It does go on, admittedly, to say, "if impractical, the conductor from the source of power to the panel-board circuit-breaker shall be contained within a
protective covering, such as a junction box, control box, enclosed panel-board, or within a conduit or cable trunking or equivalent protective covering."
with further qualification and requirements if the distance exceeds 3m
Garage units do not do not seem have a circuit breaker on the inlet at all.
Yes branch circuits in polarised systems only require over-current protection on the active phase. I don't think I was suggesting otherwise
Yes garage units appear to have DP RCDs. Again I was not suggesting differently.
Are there any differences between the above and the new version of ISO 13297 which we should know about.
David2452
Well-Known Member
This is why I used the phrase "no absolute requirement", its not that it goes on to say, that passage is part of the regs, the wording of it has now changed a little (from memory) but in many instances it is not practical or even desirable. As I said there are a couple of changes in the current edition, however I am not prepared to quote a copright document on public fora (particularly from a body I have no wish to pi55 off
)Scarboroughsloop
Well-Known Member
I'm about to install one of these:
http://www.power-store.com/view-item.asp?itemid=245&id=45&
Not the budget option but I beleive the one of the easiest ways to install a safe system.
http://www.power-store.com/view-item.asp?itemid=245&id=45&
Not the budget option but I beleive the one of the easiest ways to install a safe system.
David2452
Well-Known Member
The Dolphin is a good unit, I have installed two or three had one on my own boat, but all it is is a combined charger and distribution board, very, very useful when space is limited and saves install time but no safer than separates (the right separates that is) and you still have to do all the other stuff.
