Inspecting a campsite

roukel01 · Jul 23, 2009

Hello All..

We look after a campsite which was wired some years ago to the 16th edition wiring regs, the site gets inspected once a year, the problem I have is that each hook up post contains 2 16a sockets but is protected by one RCD.
17th Edition now requires that each socket is protected by its own RCD, what should I mark this down as on my inspection report?? Would it be a "2" (requires Improvement) or a "4" (no longer complies with BS7671)

Your help/advice would be much appreciated.

ian.settle1 · Jul 23, 2009

roukel01 said:
Hello All..

We look after a campsite which was wired some years ago to the 16th edition wiring regs, the site gets inspected once a year, the problem I have is that each hook up post contains 2 16a sockets but is protected by one RCD.
17th Edition now requires that each socket is protected by its own RCD, what should I mark this down as on my inspection report?? Would it be a "2" (requires Improvement) or a "4" (no longer complies with BS7671)

Your help/advice would be much appreciated.

My answer would be 4-Does not comply with BS7671.

Can also depend upon their site insurance company /Local authority requirements with joe public going on to the site whether it must be up to the current regulations.

stephenf8542 · Jul 23, 2009

Is there not seperate regs for caravan sites?

roukel01 · Jul 23, 2009

stephenf8542 said:
Is there not seperate regs for caravan sites?

No, BS7671 specifies Caravan/Camping sites and wiring in a caravan/motorhome.

I've now had two different answeres to my question, somebody else said that it should be altered and have an RCD for each socket.

leekemp85 · Jul 25, 2009

I have a smiler problem with a caravan site that is due for a test, the company I worked for installed the system around 4 years ago with two sockets per pole (one feed) but the sockets are rcd protected so I am unsure if this is alright. Or do you need a feed to each individual socket

cambria · Jul 25, 2009

I agree with earlier answer as the 17th edition regs are not required to be implemented retrospectively and so this should be a code 4

BRIghtSparkGlos · Jul 27, 2009

Unless i have misunderstood your question, I suggest looking at your regs - special locations or techincal manual again, your allowed 3 x 16A outlets on a 30mA RCD at max.
So as long as each post has its own D/B then you dont have a problem
Hope this helps

If you want the page details from regs / tech manual i'll get it for you tomorrow

roukel01 · Jul 27, 2009

BRIghtSparkGlos said:
Unless i have misunderstood your question, I suggest looking at your regs - special locations or techincal manual again, your allowed 3 x 16A outlets on a 30mA RCD at max.
So as long as each post has its own D/B then you dont have a problem
Hope this helps

If you want the page details from regs / tech manual i'll get it for you tomorrow

REG 708.553.1.13 17th edition, "each socket outlet shall be protected individually by an RCD having characteristics specified in reg 415.1.1....."
Sorry but not sure where you got the 3 x 16A socket reg, I'm sure 16th edition allowed upto 4 sockets Per RCD, which has now changed.

I've now had a reply from the ECA regarding this query, and this was their response....

"the decision is ultimately yours, it could go under either code, As it was installed to a previous edition it complied with that edition. We are not at liberty to up grade every installation we work on, but we must ensure the work undertaken after the 1st July 2009 does comply. You can offer the upgrade to your customer to comply with the 17th but cannot insist they have it."