Help - No Electricity

[Princess Doris]

Hello
Just pitched up at the Bath Marina Site for the weekend.
Hooked up the power cable. No Power !
Maintenance guy checked out the supply, that's OK
He suggested a fuse has tripped.
Never had the problem before.
Where do I start ?
Thanks in advance.

 

[pchmlk]

Have you looked at the isolation switch in the rear cupboard?

 

[Princess Doris]

Have you looked at the isolation switch in the rear cupboard?

Hi
I haven't started looking yet. It's absolutely pouring down here. Having started to unpack and set up.
I am not aware of a switch in the rear cupboard. I will have a look. I'm assuming you mean the cupboard where the mirror is ?

 

[Truman]

No he means the cupboard at the back of the van where your gas bottle is first shelf up is a trip switch fuse. If this has tripped it takes 10 seconds to reset

 

[Princess Doris]

Yes, got it. All OK now. I'm blaming the missus. I normally keep that area clear for easy access to the gas valve.
She had stuffed a pair of wellies in there last minute before we left home.
Thanks for the quick feedback. I was on the point of getting the manual out.
Don't want to do that

 

[Truman]

Glad your sorted. We too have crammed allsorts on these shelves so take it easy on the missus. This weather can really make any issues a nightmare. Have a great trip! We are off to York on Monday cant wait!

 

[Princess Doris]

Glad your sorted. We too have crammed allsorts on these shelves so take it easy on the missus. This weather can really make any issues a nightmare. Have a great trip! We are off to York on Monday cant wait!

Yes, it's torrential right now, but looks good for the weekend. Enjoy your trip to York. That was our other option for this weekend. We are in Cheshire. Despite the weather, it was a good drive to Bath. Are you using a site near York ?

 

[Princess Doris]

 

[Andy C Berks.]

Just to add - you should always flip that isolator switch in the rear cupboard to the off position when plugging in the EHU and also when disconnecting in case it causes a power surge and blows fuses, or worse. Think the handbook suggests that, but have also seen it elsewhere on this forum. Basically keep it switched off when not on EHU and then flip it on after you plug it in.

 

[Stargazing]

Wise words above and also remember to unplug the EHU cable at the supply end first to comply with your risk assessment

 

[pchmlk]

Just to add - you should always flip that isolator switch in the rear cupboard to the off position when plugging in the EHU and also when disconnecting in case it causes a power surge and blows fuses, or worse. Think the handbook suggests that, but have also seen it elsewhere on this forum. Basically keep it switched off when not on EHU and then flip it on after you plug it in.

I have not seen that before and don’t do it myself.

 

[jeff]

Just to add - you should always flip that isolator switch in the rear cupboard to the off position when plugging in the EHU and also when disconnecting in case it causes a power surge and blows fuses, or worse. Think the handbook suggests that, but have also seen it elsewhere on this forum. Basically keep it switched off when not on EHU and then flip it on after you plug it in.

Never done that in 17years, I leave on all the time never had a problem.

 

[dspuk]

Just to add - you should always flip that isolator switch in the rear cupboard to the off position when plugging in the EHU and also when disconnecting in case it causes a power surge and blows fuses, or worse. Think the handbook suggests that, but have also seen it elsewhere on this forum. Basically keep it switched off when not on EHU and then flip it on after you plug it in.

I was ready to call twaddle but its actually in the manual. Who’d have thunk. Never done it.

 

[Andy C Berks.]

I was ready to call twaddle but its actually in the manual. Who’d have thunk. Never done it.

View attachment 142301

I remember seeing it either on here or you tube somewhere, had never done it myself until then but it made sense given how you have to wiggle the connector to get in/out - think whoever it was that said about it had blown a fuse somewhere

 

[Hawthorn37]

In fairness it happens to us only about 1 time in 20 hook ups. There’s a 10 second head scratch before I check the vans breaker!

This is what the forum is best at - sorting issues quickly!

If it’s any comfort - absolutely tipping it down here in Derby too

 

[WelshGas]

I remember seeing it either on here or you tube somewhere, had never done it myself until then but it made sense given how you have to wiggle the connector to get in/out - think whoever it was that said about it had blown a fuse somewhere

The RCD only protects the 230v Mains Circuit.
The only fuse in the 230v mains circuit is an internal one in the mains charger. There are no fuses between the RCD and charger or RCD and mains socket on the end of the kitchen unit.

An RCD (Residual Current Device) switch is a safety device that automatically cuts off the electricity supply when it detects an imbalance in the current flowing through a circuit. This imbalance means electricity is leaking to an unintended path, such as through a person, and the RCD instantly switches off the power to protect against electric shock and fire

 

[sidepod]

Small point of order. It’s actually an RCBO. Residual Current Circuit Breaker with over current protection.
Essentially two devices in one.

An RCD is ineffective against over current, it only sees an imbalance hence the need for over current protection.
Look at your home consumer unit (assuming it’s relatively new), you’ll see a two rows of circuit breakers each with an RCD at one end.

The RCBO in the van combines these two units.
It also is a double pole unit meaning it disconnects both live and neutral in the event of a fault, unlike your consumer unit which is only single pole.

 

[Viktorgeorge]

Even smaller point, being semi-literate on electrical matters, I had to remind myself each time which is ‘on’ and which is ‘off’ on the RCBO. Yesterday I found a tiny transparent hinge down cover below the switch behind which you can put a note (in my case “OFF” with an arrow pointing down).

 

[Andy C Berks.]

I remember seeing it either on here or you tube somewhere, had never done it myself until then but it made sense given how you have to wiggle the connector to get in/out - think whoever it was that said about it had blown a fuse somewhere

Randomly managed to trip the breaker when connecting to an EHU on site today - first time ever have seen it do that, what’s the chances ! Obviously didn’t do as I said and leave it switched off

 

[Truman]

Yes, it's torrential right now, but looks good for the weekend. Enjoy your trip to York. That was our other option for this weekend. We are in Cheshire. Despite the weather, it was a good drive to Bath. Are you using a site near York ?

Hi sorry about the delay, work stuff etc. We are camping near the river ouse I think that's how it's spelt just outside York. Hope the weather has improved for you. It was really wicked the other day. Must have made an interest stop over....