Caravan hookups

[Carlosfandango]

I was asked to test five caravan pitches for someone I've done a few jobs for. Now, I'll admit my knowledge on TT systems is not vast so I'm looking for a bit of advice. The install has been tested by a large local contractor every three years. When I got there the setup was as follows. BS 1361 cutout - meter- 63 amp 100mA rcd - 16mm Swa - 5 way db (63amp 30mA main switch) (roughly 20m away),then out to the hookups via 10 amp mcb's. There was a 10mm earth out to multiple rods connected to the RCD steel enclosure (as told by customer). There was also a 16mm earth to the PME cutout? I know this is incorrect so I disconnected it and got 110 ohms Ra. This is obviously classed as stable but not ideal. My problem is, why did this other contractor not pick up on this, or am I the one that's wrong?? Before anyone else pipes up I know there are other faults ie no overload protection on the supply to the 5 way db!
Thanks for reading!

 

[Carlosfandango]

I wondered how long it would take before it turns into a witch hunt!

 

[Engineer54]

I wondered how long it would take before it turns into a witch hunt!

Eh, what ''Witch Hunt' are you on about then??

 

[Carlosfandango]

Well it seems to me that your asking for my recommendations then probably criticise each one. Maybe I'm wrong but thats how i see this going!

 

[Engineer54]

I was asking, to see if you had picked up on all the relevant deficiencies of the original installation.

These caravan sites are publicly used areas and therefore need to be safe. If you are putting your name to a bit of paper that is stating that it is safe, or will be safe if your recommendations are acted upon. The last thing you want, is to be the scapegoat that everyone points the finger at for all or most of the blame if something does go wrong!!


But if you're satisfied with your reporting on this caravan installation fine issue the paperwork and move on to your next job!!

 

[Carlosfandango]

I apologise, I'll put them up tonight.

 

[Carlosfandango]

I thought I was gearing up for a public slagging. Maybe still am when I post them! Ha

 

[Engineer54]

I thought I was gearing up for a public slagging. Maybe still am when I post them! Ha

May be, but at least if there is any slagging, the slagging won't be in a magistrates court or worse!! lol!!

 

[driverman]

I don't carry out EICR's, but if the OP has carried an EICR and recommended XYZ etc and handed it to the customer, that's the OP's job done isn't it?
Is it not up to the customer if they want the work doing or not and who by? In this particular case though to obtain a satisfactory report to obtain a license to operate the site C1 + C2 will have to be attended to. In theory anyhow.

 

[ImpededLoop]

I don't carry out EICR's, but if the OP has carried an EICR and recommended XYZ etc and handed it to the customer, that's the OP's job done isn't it?
Is it not up to the customer if they want the work doing or not and who by? In this particular case though to obtain a satisfactory report to obtain a license to operate the site C1 + C2 will have to be attended to. In theory anyhow.

The decision is up to the owner as to whether they take the advice of the test engineer.

The OP is just checking that his thoughts are correct about the earthing arrangements and one or two other possible deviations. He's followed on from a large company who have been testing the site and understandably wants to check his thoughts are correct before handing them to the person ordering the work. It's possible that this person may then question his recommendations as the previous company never highlighted them.

 

[davesparks]

Who said anything about an engineer? You only need to be an experienced electrician to carry out EICRs

 

[ImpededLoop]

Quite true Dave. My personal opinion though is that an experienced and highly skilled electrician is an engineer. However I'm happy to agree to differ and not take a good thread off on a tangent.

 

[Guest77]

I wondered how long it would take before it turns into a witch hunt!

Why would you think that, you posted up a lot of information and are asking fellow sparks for their opinions, nothing wrong with your posts here mate.

 

[Guest77]

Well it seems to me that your asking for my recommendations then probably criticise each one. Maybe I'm wrong but thats how i see this going!

No we may well agree with most of your recommendations then suggest some others or point out one or two may be wrong, no witch hunt here in this thread, well yet :biggrin:

 

[Engineer54]

Quite true Dave. My personal opinion though is that an experienced and highly skilled electrician is an engineer. However I'm happy to agree to differ and not take a good thread off on a tangent.

And how does a highly skilled electrician get elevated to Engineer status?? Technician is the recognised title for a highly skilled tradesman, that sadly rarely gets used these days...

 

[davesparks]

Quite true Dave. My personal opinion though is that an experienced and highly skilled electrician is an engineer. However I'm happy to agree to differ and not take a good thread off on a tangent.

Who is and is not an engineer is well defined.

For a start a degree in engineering is required