Beach hut 12v electrics..

[timo1]

Hi.

Has anyone ever inspected 12v electrics in a dwelling i.e a beach hut / cabin or similar? Basically the electrics are all run off a 12v leisure battery. There is a small solar panel that tops up a battery for a 12v fridge. The beach hut can be slept in so apparently needs an electrical installation certificate. Has anyone done this? Who would I need to approach? The electrics are entirely 12V there is no mains supply.

 

[SirKit Breaker]

Surely it would need an Electrical Installation condition report, unless it is a new install. I would treat it like anything else, and do the report accordingly and change it to suit. My main concern would be the battery, and is it installed in such a way that if were to explode, would the explosion be contained, and what is in place to stop the battery over charging. Other than that i see no major problems as long as all the fuses are in place.

There may be someone more informed on this stuff than myself, and if i was to try and find out, then contact the local council for the location of the beach hut and see what they require, and ask to see an example, they may have their own forms.

Cheers.............Howard

 

[Octopus]

I was under the impression that beach huts were not allowed to be used as accommodation!

 

[Farmelectrics]

just a good visual but still charge them £150 for the cert lol

 

[Adam W]

I was under the impression that beach huts were not allowed to be used as accommodation!

Usually not, but you can in the bigger ones:

Notice how most of them have solar panels.

I'd go with Howard's idea of getting in touch with the council - to me, having no supply, no earthing arrangements, probably just a couple of fuses instead of a CU and the entire installation effectively being SELV isn't much of an installation - more like leisure vehicle electrics, and as far as I know you don't need an EIC for a camper van or boat.

 

[timo1]

Thanks for taking the time to reply. The beach hut is more of a cabin I suppose with room in the loft area for beds and you can live there over the summer months. I can't imagine how you could do an EICR as there is no earth etc.. Perhaps a visual inspection? I like the idea of speaking to the local council to see what they require.

 

[tazz]

A 12v system, especially when run of a Lead acid or gel battery, has more potential than a basic 230v system.....So the need for safety is just as important. So we need to insure out going protection is correctly rated from battery. Testing of cables to insure there is no insulation breakdown, polarity check, using r1 /r2......Ok there is no earthing to test out, or z reading to do. But the latter is just as important to prevent fire and loss of life/property.

 

[timo1]

Usually not, but you can in the bigger ones:
View attachment 24611
Notice how most of them have solar panels.

I'd go with Howard's idea of getting in touch with the council - to me, having no supply, no earthing arrangements, probably just a couple of fuses instead of a CU and the entire installation effectively being SELV isn't much of an installation - more like leisure vehicle electrics, and as far as I know you don't need an EIC for a camper van or boat.

In fact Adam....I think the hut in question may be in the photo, if thats mudeford / Hengisbury head way!