EHU Cable Question

[Trailertrash]

I will consult the handbook on my large Hadron collider...... There is bound to be something in there about joining two bits of wire together!

 

[Traveller1977]

So I have a couple of questions regarding EHU cable -
I had one of the Orange type cables, the connectors seem inferior to the supplied VW short extension one, but what type of cable is used on this one for example, is this PVC or Arctic Flex?

Streetwize Premium Campervan Hook Up Cable – 25 Metres - CampervanBits

Streetwize Premium Campervan Hook Up Cable – 25 Metres. A 25 metre hook up lead cable ideal for use on mains camping site or to hook up at home if you use a

vwcaliforniaclub.com

I recently purchased a 2.5mm 25m H07RNF cable but it's so bulky I wanted to know if I could just purchase some of the Orange cable (As per link) and reconnect some Mennekes connectors as these are more robust?
Could I go for a 10m and 15m 1.5mm cable so I have the option of using 10m, 15m or 25m (when called for?
Thanks for any help given, as I do not know if I can use 1.5mm over 25m distance. Only the standard fridge/lights/phones charging are used in campsites?
Thanks,

 

[WelshGas]

So I have a couple of questions regarding EHU cable -
I had one of the Orange type cables, the connectors seem inferior to the supplied VW short extension one, but what type of cable is used on this one for example, is this PVC or Arctic Flex?

Streetwize Premium Campervan Hook Up Cable – 25 Metres - CampervanBits

Streetwize Premium Campervan Hook Up Cable – 25 Metres. A 25 metre hook up lead cable ideal for use on mains camping site or to hook up at home if you use a

vwcaliforniaclub.com

I recently purchased a 2.5mm 25m H07RNF cable but it's so bulky I wanted to know if I could just purchase some of the Orange cable (As per link) and reconnect some Mennekes connectors as these are more robust?
Could I go for a 10m and 15m 1.5mm cable so I have the option of using 10m, 15m or 25m (when called for?
Thanks for any help given, as I do not know if I can use 1.5mm over 25m distance. Only the standard fridge/lights/phones charging are used in campsites?
Thanks,

Can't advise on the cable, all I do know is the narrower the cable the bigger the voltage drop over distance. Having said that in Europe many just use domestic, black rubber cables, and some of them are very long and look quite fragile.
I do have a 15 and 10m cable and normally just use the 15. Only in Europe have I had to add the 10.

 

[sidepod]

Generally everyone uses 2.5mm because that’s just the norm.

Unless your running some big loads in your van like a kettle or fan heater then volt drop won’t be an issue with a 1.5mm2 cable.

You could potentially run into issues with breaker sizes being inconsistent with 1.5 but then you’re covered on disconnect times via the RCD.

1.5mm blue Artic flex. Crack on.

 

[Traveller1977]

@WelshGas thank you. It is mainly in Europe that I would be using it, and have found needing the longer cable. But wasn't even sure if I had the 25m H07RNF 2.5mm cable, if I could still use the VW Cali supplied 1m 1.5mm H07RNF 16A connector to 2-pin EU plug, as some sites you need to use the 2-pin plug ?

Seems to me that I'm finding anything over 10m or 15m it looks like the larger 2.5mm cable is being used.

Additional question about reverse polarity. Is this an error/fault at EU campsites? I was at one last year, not knowing about this issue, and when we were hooked up, sitting on the sliding door side, touched the van and got a shock. Is this something the campsite would let you know in advance or is this just faulty/shoddy electrical installation?
Thanks again

 

[WelshGas]

@WelshGas thank you. It is mainly in Europe that I would be using it, and have found needing the longer cable. But wasn't even sure if I had the 25m H07RNF 2.5mm cable, if I could still use the VW Cali supplied 1m 1.5mm H07RNF 16A connector to 2-pin EU plug, as some sites you need to use the 2-pin plug ?

Seems to me that I'm finding anything over 10m or 15m it looks like the larger 2.5mm cable is being used.

Additional question about reverse polarity. Is this an error/fault at EU campsites? I was at one last year, not knowing about this issue, and when we were hooked up, sitting on the sliding door side, touched the van and got a shock. Is this something the campsite would let you know in advance or is this just faulty/shoddy electrical installation?
Thanks again

I’ve had to use the 2 pin VW adapter about 3 times over 5 years on my European travels.

Reverse Polarity is a wiring fault on the site, but is of no significance to the California wiring circuit and really only of concern, possibly, on any mains equipment used that has a metal body and UK bought.
Basically UK equipment On/Off switch breaks the +tve circuit. With reversed polarity the -tve circuit is broken so the +tve circuit is still live.
European equipment has a double power switch that breaks both +tve and -tve circuits.
As long as any mains equipment is unplugged when not in use there is no problem.

If you got a shock touching the sliding door then it is very,very unlikely to be anything to do with the Mains power, much more likely to be static electricity.

 

[Traveller1977]

@WelshGas again thanks very much for your reply. Regarding the VW adapter, strangely I've used it each time we go away in addition to a Kampa 10m EHU (not sure how/why I'm visiting the campsites that use this style) but have on occasion needed longer which is what brought me back here to check what the best solution is, as the VW Adapter cable is 1.5mm I noticed so wasnt sure why everyone recommends/goes down the 2.5mm route.
Regarding the shock, it was 100% not static, because we tried it 4-5 times over 2 days and it was a permanent "electricity flow" but perhaps the cause was therefore something different to the Reverse Polarity issue.
Only thing we use abroad in addition to the standard battery charger for AA/AAA batteries (Using USB), and mobile Phone chargers (Via USB) is an Apple Macbook (Plugged into the 3-pin socket of Cali)

 

[sidepod]

I’ve had to use the 2 pin VW adapter about 3 times over 5 years on my European travels.

Reverse Polarity is a wiring fault on the site, but is of no significance to the California wiring circuit and really only of concern, possibly, on any mains equipment used that has a metal body and UK bought.
Basically UK equipment On/Off switch breaks the +tve circuit. With reversed polarity the -tve circuit is broken so the +tve circuit is still live.
European equipment has a double power switch that breaks both +tve and -tve circuits.
As long as any mains equipment is unplugged when not in use there is no problem.

If you got a shock touching the sliding door then it is very,very unlikely to be anything to do with the Mains power, much more likely to be static electricity.

The Cali is fitted with a double pole RCD which will disconnect both L and N in the event of a fault.....which means reverse polarity is irrelevant.

 

[sidepod]

I’ve had to use the 2 pin VW adapter about 3 times over 5 years on my European travels.

Reverse Polarity is a wiring fault on the site, but is of no significance to the California wiring circuit and really only of concern, possibly, on any mains equipment used that has a metal body and UK bought.
Basically UK equipment On/Off switch breaks the +tve circuit. With reversed polarity the -tve circuit is broken so the +tve circuit is still live.
European equipment has a double power switch that breaks both +tve and -tve circuits.
As long as any mains equipment is unplugged when not in use there is no problem.

If you got a shock touching the sliding door then it is very,very unlikely to be anything to do with the Mains power, much more likely to be static electricity.

It’s entirely possible to get a shock off your van. UK touch voltage is 50v (which is where 30mA) comes from. In other words you can encounter up to 50v before the associated current drops out the RCD.

 

[WelshGas]

The Cali is fitted with a double pole RCD which will disconnect both L and N in the event of a fault.....which means reverse polarity is irrelevant.

I understand that, but if you have reversed polarity on site, plugging into the Mains doesn’t trigger the RCD, so anything plugged into the Mains socket within the vehicle could be problematic until it triggers a fault and the circuit is cut.

 

[WelshGas]

It’s entirely possible to get a shock off your van. UK touch voltage is 50v (which is where 30mA) comes from. In other words you can encounter up to 50v before the associated current drops out the RCD.

Where would that voltage come from?

 

[Loz]

Missing earth on the supply post? Floating earth on the van, a tiny leakage on the battery charger or something else. fault on another camper leak to earth across to you..
without putting your own earth spike down you can’t be 100%

 

[sidepod]

Voltage gradient possibly as Loz says.

I have seen hook up posts fed from a non TT supply and hence no earth rod.
Without getting too tech, exporting an earth from an incorrect supply is a big no no.

 

[Traveller1977]

I’ve had to use the 2 pin VW adapter about 3 times over 5 years on my European travels.

Reverse Polarity is a wiring fault on the site, but is of no significance to the California wiring circuit and really only of concern, possibly, on any mains equipment used that has a metal body and UK bought.
Basically UK equipment On/Off switch breaks the +tve circuit. With reversed polarity the -tve circuit is broken so the +tve circuit is still live.
European equipment has a double power switch that breaks both +tve and -tve circuits.
As long as any mains equipment is unplugged when not in use there is no problem.

If you got a shock touching the sliding door then it is very,very unlikely to be anything to do with the Mains power, much more likely to be static electricity.

Hi @WelshGas I've just sent a post about the EHU cable in another area as I forgot I had mentioned this "Electric Shock" aspect before on here, and I've just experienced it again. So I have a 25m lead from Toughleads.co.uk, and it's currently plugged in to the House Mains using the original shorter VW extension cable that has the 2-pin plug, this is then connected to a 2-pin to 3-pin single plug adapter and then connected to the 3-pin wall socket.
I've just been hoovering the Cali bare footed and touched the side of the van again and got this "Shock sensation" again, and when I touched the metal cable connection point on a 3.5mm cable that comes out of the Glove Box, again I got the shock sensation. When I put shoes on, didn't get the feeling?
Do you or anyone know what could be the fault here? We're about to go to Wales and don't want to end up having this Electric shock issue? Thanks for any help.

 

[B J G]

Hi @WelshGas I've just sent a post about the EHU cable in another area as I forgot I had mentioned this "Electric Shock" aspect before on here, and I've just experienced it again. So I have a 25m lead from Toughleads.co.uk, and it's currently plugged in to the House Mains using the original shorter VW extension cable that has the 2-pin plug, this is then connected to a 2-pin to 3-pin single plug adapter and then connected to the 3-pin wall socket.
I've just been hoovering the Cali bare footed and touched the side of the van again and got this "Shock sensation" again, and when I touched the metal cable connection point on a 3.5mm cable that comes out of the Glove Box, again I got the shock sensation. When I put shoes on, didn't get the feeling?
Do you or anyone know what could be the fault here? We're about to go to Wales and don't want to end up having this Electric shock issue? Thanks for any help.

The simple 2 pin to 3 pin UK socket actually does a reverse polarity. To be 100% sure don't use the 2 pin plug lead in UK get a UK 3 pin UK short lead to iliminate any adapter use

 

[Traveller1977]

The simple 2 pin to 3 pin UK socket actually does a reverse polarity. To be 100% sure don't use the 2 pin plug lead in UK get a UK 3 pin UK short lead to iliminate any adapter use

@B J G ah okay, thanks for this. Would you have any recommendations where to purchase one from? (It was toughleads I purchased the 25m EHU I've just remembered)
I'm around Sussex area. Thanks again, this makes sense now.

 

[vbk1975]

Hi @WelshGas I've just sent a post about the EHU cable in another area as I forgot I had mentioned this "Electric Shock" aspect before on here, and I've just experienced it again. So I have a 25m lead from Toughleads.co.uk, and it's currently plugged in to the House Mains using the original shorter VW extension cable that has the 2-pin plug, this is then connected to a 2-pin to 3-pin single plug adapter and then connected to the 3-pin wall socket.
I've just been hoovering the Cali bare footed and touched the side of the van again and got this "Shock sensation" again, and when I touched the metal cable connection point on a 3.5mm cable that comes out of the Glove Box, again I got the shock sensation. When I put shoes on, didn't get the feeling?
Do you or anyone know what could be the fault here? We're about to go to Wales and don't want to end up having this Electric shock issue? Thanks for any help.

We carry a cheap tester, to ensure Polarity and Earth is correct.

 

[WelshGas]

@B J G ah okay, thanks for this. Would you have any recommendations where to purchase one from? (It was toughleads I purchased the 25m EHU I've just remembered)
I'm around Sussex area. Thanks again, this makes sense now.

Any Caravan or Camping shop would sell them. Plenty on Amazon as well.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/BITS4REASO/?tag=eliteelect-21

 

[Loz]

Sounds like the earth is missing due to the 2 pin adaptor?
Switch mode PSUs like the onboard charger may have a tiny amount of inducted leakage to earth that is normally very low and not noticed when the vehicle is properly;y grounded, but you would feel it, although not enough to trip the supply.

 

[sidepod]

I was just trying to figure this one out. Are you saying there is a 2 pin (no earth) link/adaptor invloved here?

 

[Loz]

I was just trying to figure this one out. Are you saying there is a 2 pin (no earth) link/adaptor invloved here?

Yea, just what I was thinking, how did the OP get from 13A UK to 2pin Euro to Commando..

A photo would help. I am sure the VW Euro has earth but I was thinking that whatever he plugged it into didn't?

 

[vbk1975]

Yea, just what I was thinking, how did the OP get from 13A UK to 2pin Euro to Commando..

A photo would help. I am sure the VW Euro has earth but I was thinking that whatever he plugged it into didn't?

Just checked, our T6 VW supplied cable has Euro plug with Earth connections.

like this

 

[Loz]

Just checked, our T6 VW supplied cable has Euro plug with Earth connections.

like this

View attachment 79171

Thought so, but what are you plugging that into?

 

[vbk1975]

Thought so, but what are you plugging that into?

I assume that question is for @Traveller1977?

We don't use the cable, it is in the box with the child safety net, cup holder and carpet mats.

Some campsites we have been at demand a point to point hook up cable with no joints. I have a few different lengths of cables (6, 13, 25m) which I use as required, but some warden's get upset with commando connections and a discussion on IP ratings, so I can imagine a Euro plug might also get them upset.

 

[Loz]

I assume that question is for @Traveller1977?

Yes, sorry, you answering my question to the OP threw me off..