[the-ryans]

Ook .. we have a current EWOF on our caravan (was given on the 5/01/2011) ... BUT ... we went away this weekend in it, and our power didnt work at the first site we were given at the campground, as they had installed the new power supply thingys ... so we were moved to a part where they haven't been up-graded.

The staff told us we needed to get an internal RCD fitted (?) .. and that it should have been done with our EWOF when it was given in January, as that is the new law. ...
Should the EWOF guy given the WOF without the RCD being changed? or has what he has done illegal due to the new laws? \

Also does anyone know how much (roughly) it costs to get a new RCD done on/in the caravan?

**we bought it with the new EWOF on it .. and wanted to get our facts right before we ring the guy who issued the EWOF to complain :p

TIA

[jimandsue]

I'm not sure whether they are compulsory or not yet although the time is definitely coming. I had one fitted about 2 years back, cost was under $150 from memory. I took the motorhome to the electrician, it took less than an hour although it was a pretty easily accessible switchboard. A year or so earlier I had the same thing done on a much older Hiace and I think it was nearer $350. On testing they found the reyrolle plug etc was past its best and I recall the whole board being replaced.

[the-ryans]

Thanks for the reply )
Our caravan is a 1979/80 crusader - by the board, do you mean where the mains switch is? in our caravan that is in the cupboard (so hopefully easy access)

I was under the understanding that this year (according to the guys at the camping ground) all EWOFs had to be under the new RCD rules? - but mind you I was in a fluster when he was explaining it to us - I will have to double check with my husband what was said )

[idex]

Sounds like you might have the same problem that many older motorhomes have where a neutral-earth link is fitted within the van, causing the caravan park RCD to trip. Discuss the problem with your electrical inspector, who should be easily able to correct it.

[jimandsue]

As Bruce says all you need to have done is remove the link. However if connecting to a non RCD supply you have a potential death trap if there is a fault, the link needs to be reconnected each time (which technically should be done by an electrician !). Replacing the main fuse with an RCD (and ideally replacing the old fuses with MCB's at the same time) means you are safe on either supply.

[razor]

all this work is notifiable work under the electrical regs and should be carried out by an electrician /inspector
who on completion should issue you a new certificate of complience
which you will have to produce to the issuer of the new electrical wof when it is reinspected after the work has been completed

[the-ryans]

Thanks for all the replies

Ok, so what we have to do is get an electrician to fit a internal RCD (is that right?) - another question - with the new internal RCD fitted, will we still be able to use power on the older camp ground power boxes? (probably a really blonde question aye! lol)

Also our new EWOF was issued in January of this year - should the guy that issued that EWOF have informed of the change over? - staff at the campground say he should have not issued a EWOF without it being chnaged over to the new internal RCD - I myself had no idea at all, as I said we bought it privately with the new EWOF so were under the assumption all was well - and now Im a bit scared to use it with the kids in it, just incase something happens (probably wont, but all this talk of power and earthing e.t.c has me worried now :S

[razor]

if a new ewof was issued and no changes have been made to the van one would have to assume that it safe
since the new regs are either in force or about to be it would be god idea to have the changeover done
the only issue arises when you plug your van into a supply that is rcd protected it will trip the rcd
and this is because of the way your van is configured not because it is unsafe
BUT IF YOU HAVE ANY DOUGHT get it changed over by a sparky/inspector and have it recertified