15 Amp power lead.

iana · Guru

15 Amp power lead.

Possum3 · Guru

Ian, you will need to buy a specific 15 amp lead - and an adaptor/RCD unit. It is illegal to use any 15amp lead with a 10amp plug (that includes filing down earth pin. In the event of any fire/incident insurance companies will not pay out (even if lead not the reason).

Possum3 · Guru

www.exploroz.com/Vehicle/Electrics/PowerLeads.aspx

www.campsmart.net.au/15a-to-10a-converter-portable-rcd-for-caravans-and

terrola · Veteran Member

totally agree with possum 3 smile

JeffRae · Guru

Are you winding everybody up iana, you know that you shouldn't file down earth prongs on 15 amp leads to fit 10amp sockets

iana · Guru

Would I do that ?, I also meant buying 15A plugs and sockets.

Long Weekend · Guru

iana,

Not sure where you tried to buy 15-Amp plugs from - the Big Green Church (I go there every Sunday) have them on the shelves. As should most large hardware stores.

Note that there are two types of 15-Amp plugs - normal and heavy duty. The heavy duty ones take thicker cable - so make sure you buy the correct size feed in hole for your cable. Thin cable into a large hole would mean movement and fraying. If you are doing the wiring yourself I recommend you buy the clear top plugs so that you can check on the wires regularly - wires have been known to come loose occasionally.

Incidently, you have a very old cable with those colours - and I mean very old! I would junk it. Not only could the internal wires be damaged but the insulation could be on the way out.

But if the cable has been checked and is OK I believe that the colour conversions are: Red becomes Brown, Black becomes Blue and Green becomes Yellow/Green. (If I am wrong someone please correct me straight away!)

And yes, I also repeat what has been said by others about it being illegal to connect a house 10-Amp supply directly into a 15-Amp caravan. Insurance companies can and do refuse payouts.

Murray

-- Edited by Long Weekend on Saturday 28th of January 2017 03:33:06 PM

-- Edited by Long Weekend on Saturday 28th of January 2017 03:37:14 PM

Jaahn · Guru

Long Weekend wrote:
iana,

Incidently, you have a very old cable with those colours - and I mean very old! I would junk it. Not only could the internal wires be damaged but the insulation could be on the way out.

But if the cable has been checked and is OK I believe that the colour conversions are: Red becomes Brown, Green becomes Blue and Black becomes Yellow/Green. (If I am wrong someone please correct me straight away!)

Murray
=========================================================================================================
NO NO NO. another case of forum experts giving out incorrect information. Having clear plug tops will not help here
ACTIVE =red --- brown , NEUTRAL = black--- blue , EARTH = green ---- yellow/green !

jaahn

-- Edited by Jaahn on Saturday 28th of January 2017 02:54:27 PM

AdventureTrek · Member

From the above post

But if the cable has been checked and is OK I believe that the colour conversions are: Red becomes Brown, Green becomes Blue and Black becomes Yellow/Green. (If I am wrong someone please correct me straight away!)

The above information is WRONG. It has the Neutral and Earth incorrect. Would be a very dangerous lead if connected as above. Subject to "polarity" of the source, which could be another lead (with active and neutral transposed) , the active could be connecting to the appliance/van frame via the earth wire. Another scenario where the neutral and earth are transposed would have any RCD on supply side tripping.

This is certainly an instance where the poster is better in saying nothing than providing what could be diabolical information. ABSOLUTELY IRRESPONSIBLE

The correct colour transition is: Red becomes Brown (Active), Black becomes Blue (Neutral), Green becomes Yellow/Green (Earth).

-- Edited by AdventureTrek on Saturday 28th of January 2017 03:05:49 PM

Long Weekend · Guru

Thanks Jaahn and Adventure Trek.

I have corrected my post. I should have left out that bit when I wasn't really sure as Adventure Trek pointed out.

Murray

AdventureTrek · Member

Cheers Murray, good move to make the correction. Trust I was not too harsh, and great you can see the level of importance of getting this correct.

I suppose this is a situation where posters normally advise of the legality and dangers of DIY conducting electrical work. IF IN DOUBT DON'T

Certainly NOT a case of what you don't know won't hurt you (or others). Could be difficult explaining to the Coroner as to how the wife shook hands with the power station. "Well there is this forum called Grey Nomads, which has a Techies' Corner, ......................"

Paul

patrol03 · Senior Member

!5 amp cables. What are they?. Looks to me that most of them are 1.5mm wire in a nice heavy insulated covering.This is exactly the same wire that is in the normal extension lead you buy at the green shed for all those jobs at home that need power for the drill etc except the ones you use at home have less insulation and 10A connections. If you look carefully at what is available, and not all Green sheds carry it, you can source 2.5mm cable for a few extra shekels then put your 15 amp fittings on the ends. The wire does not heat up when maximum loads are incurred using several high current draws in the van and the internal plug connections show no sign of overload heating. I use 2.5mm cable in the van and I have one for my welder which will weld 8G continuous. No not a sparky but a cautious tradie.

AdventureTrek · Member

Patrol03, Pages 27 and 73 of the linked handbook may answer your questions. Cable Handbook

iana · Guru

Psss't is it OK to come out now?

Does iana have a lead, no, two leads that are so old that the wire colors are ret and black?

Does iana have a plug with a filed down earth pin?

Is it the truth or a lie?

Its ------------the truth!!!!!!

Actually the lead would have been about 30 plus meters long, and belonged to my father in-law on the farm, until a dog chewed it in half. That would have been about 45 years ago. The cable has a grey outer insulation cover, is quite thick, the supply cables are quite thick and the whole cable itself is very flexible. Unlike todays cables which go quite solid when its cold.

Except for one cut in the outer insulation, which could be repaired with shrink tubing, the cable itself is in remarkably good condition. However it looks as though I may have to surcumb to modernization and buy a new extension lead, only because buying quality plugs and sockets will more than likely cost more than the new extension lead.

Was iana confussed about the wire colours, was that the truth or a lie-----!

It was ------ a lie, no iana is quite confident in knowing his wire colors, but some one else needs to brush up. I thought the fuse may have been lit there, but the old timers on here obviously had my measure and didn't take the bait - bummer.

-- Edited by iana on Saturday 28th of January 2017 08:37:20 PM

iana · Guru

Just had another search on the net, the only plugs and sockets available now, that will fit my cable are the Clipsal type with a screw type ring on them. The prices I see are $9 and $6 for the el-cheapo plug and socket, a slightly better one at $12 but unsuitable as its off-set 90'. It's cheaper for me to buy a new cord, considering I don't have to get it tagged for 12 months (if required by the park).

Just had a read about testing and tagging, according to our guru of guru's on caravanning, leads don't have to be tested and tagged, unless it is part of that caravan parks OH&S policy. I imagine it would apply to council owned caravan parks mainly.

iana · Guru

Just had another search on the net, the only plugs and sockets available now, that will fit my cable are the Clipsal type with a screw type ring on them. The prices I see are $9 and $6 for the el-cheapo plug and socket, a slightly better one at $12 but unsuitable as its off-set 90'. It's cheaper for me to buy a new cord, and I'll just have to brave it and throw out a family heirloom .

Just had a read about testing and tagging, according to our guru of guru's on caravanning, leads don't have to be tested and tagged, unless it is part of that caravan parks OH&S policy. I imagine it would apply to council owned caravan parks mainly.

patrol03 · Senior Member

Thanks AdventureTrek..some interesting information there.

gregroz · Member

DO NOT WIRE YOUR OWN 15AMP POWER LEADS UNLESS YOU ARE A QUALIFIED ELECTRICIAN.. DO NOT FILE PLUG PINS TO SUIT. DO NOT FILE SOCKET ACCESS TO SUIT.

I HAD A NEIGHBOUR WHO WIRED HIS POWER LEAD INCORRECTLY AND ELECTOCUTED HIS SON.. FORTUNATELY NOT FATAL!

Phil C · Guru

patrol03 wrote:
!5 amp cables. What are they?. Looks to me that most of them are 1.5mm wire in a nice heavy insulated covering.This is exactly the same wire that is in the normal extension lead you buy at the green shed for all those jobs at home that need power for the drill etc except the ones you use at home have less insulation and 10A connections. If you look carefully at what is available, and not all Green sheds carry it, you can source 2.5mm cable for a few extra shekels then put your 15 amp fittings on the ends. The wire does not heat up when maximum loads are incurred using several high current draws in the van and the internal plug connections show no sign of overload heating. I use 2.5mm cable in the van and I have one for my welder which will weld 8G continuous. No not a sparky but a cautious tradie.

We have a Blue 15A cable from the green toolbox a few years back. Had the correct 2.5mm sq cable and has works a treat.

I am very hesitant to advise non electrical people how to wire a plug.. BECAUSE the plugless cable has two ends. When correctly orientated the twist will not cross active and neutral wires at the plug... AND cable orientation. I have seen many home made extension leads with active and neutral interposed... BE VERY CAREFUL!!!!

BTW the cable I am talking about is not cheap...

Be safe!!

Phil C · Guru

gregroz wrote:
DO NOT WIRE YOUR OWN 15AMP POWER LEADS UNLESS YOU ARE A QUALIFIED ELECTRICIAN.. DO NOT FILE PLUG PINS TO SUIT. DO NOT FILE SOCKET ACCESS TO SUIT.
I HAD A NEIGHBOUR WHO WIRED HIS POWER LEAD INCORRECTLY AND ELECTOCUTED HIS SON.. FORTUNATELY NOT FATAL!

^^^^^ What Gregroz said is 110% correct.. BTW welcome greroz. This has been discussed many times on this forum and attention needs to be directed to safety.. The answer for those who enjoy being warm upright and pink (alive), is get a pre-made approved cable or a sparky to do the wiring..

Cheers

Bill B · Guru

Phil C wrote:

We have a Blue 15A cable from the green toolbox a few years back. Had the correct 2.5mm sq cable

Phil are you sure it has 2.5 mmm wire as their current blue leads are only 1.5mm ?

PeterD · Guru

Bill B wrote:
Phil C wrote:

We have a Blue 15A cable from the green toolbox a few years back. Had the correct 2.5mm sq cable
Phil are you sure it has 2.5 mmm wire as their current blue leads are only 1.5mm ?

It all depends upon how long the lead is. These days there is no such thing as a particular size of wire for a particular current rated lead. The size of leads is designed around a 5% voltage drop at their maximum current rating. Cable sizes are marketed to professionals in the cross section of the copper. You use 1.5 mm2 cable for leads up to 25 m, 2,5 mm2 cable for leads up to 40 m and 4.0 mm2 cable for leads up to 65 m long. If your equipment has high starting current like large motors the maximum lengths are reduced.

oldtrack123 · Guru

Phil C wrote:
gregroz wrote:
DO NOT WIRE YOUR OWN 15AMP POWER LEADS UNLESS YOU ARE A QUALIFIED ELECTRICIAN.. DO NOT FILE PLUG PINS TO SUIT. DO NOT FILE SOCKET ACCESS TO SUIT.
I HAD A NEIGHBOUR WHO WIRED HIS POWER LEAD INCORRECTLY AND ELECTOCUTED HIS SON.. FORTUNATELY NOT FATAL!
^^^^^ What Gregroz said is 110% correct.. BTW welcome greroz. This has been discussed many times on this forum and attention needs to be directed to safety.. The answer for those who enjoy being warm upright and pink (alive), is get a pre-made approved cable or a sparky to do the wiring..
Cheers

The above & PeterD's are the only sensible advice on this thread

.Also 1.5MM cable is rated @15A v Continuous

But the allowable length is restricted to xxM ,but you do not need to know the length as you should not be making one up!!!

-- Edited by oldtrack123 on Sunday 29th of January 2017 10:15:47 PM

-- Edited by oldtrack123 on Sunday 29th of January 2017 10:16:44 PM

Phil C · Guru

Bill B wrote:
Phil C wrote:

We have a Blue 15A cable from the green toolbox a few years back. Had the correct 2.5mm sq cable

Phil are you sure it has 2.5 mmm wire as their current blue leads are only 1.5mm ?

Yes Bill it has, the plug ends are clear and its 2.5. Its the proper caravan lead with the locking female end.

Cheers

-- Edited by Phil C on Monday 30th of January 2017 11:10:16 AM

meetoo · Guru

Phil C wrote:
Bill B wrote:
Phil C wrote:

We have a Blue 15A cable from the green toolbox a few years back. Had the correct 2.5mm sq cable

Phil are you sure it has 2.5 mmm wire as their current blue leads are only 1.5mm ?
Yes Bill it has, the plug ends are clear and its 2.5. Its the proper caravan lead with the locking female end.
Cheers

-- Edited by Phil C on Monday 30th of January 2017 11:10:16 AM

Hi Phil. what is a 'locking female end.'?

Cheers, John.

madaboutled · Guru

Plugs and extension sockets may be replaced by a non-electrically qualified person, provided the person has been trained, assessed and found to be competent to fit plugs and sockets according to the manufacturers instructions.

I'll also add that buying a NEW power lead does not guarantee it has been wired correctly. When I did my Test & Tag course, of the 150 items we had to test to pass was a new cord that was wired incorrectly.

C00P · Senior Member

If we have to connect to a 10 Amp supply, we use one of these:

http://ampfibian.com.au/?gclid=CNuxxb_v6dECFRJxvAodNWENew

Connects 10 Amp outlet to 15 Amp extension legally with appropriate current-limiting cut-outs. Also waterproof, so can be left outside. They are expensive compared to an illegal 10A/15A pigtail, but at least we know our system is safe, and there are no insurance worries.

A neat solution, if you can afford it.

BTW, we employed the Green Church's 10% discount offer ("If you find it cheaper, we'll beat it by 10%") to get a better price.

Cheers

C00P

Phil C · Guru

meetoo wrote:
Phil C wrote:
Bill B wrote:
Phil C wrote:

We have a Blue 15A cable from the green toolbox a few years back. Had the correct 2.5mm sq cable

Phil are you sure it has 2.5 mmm wire as their current blue leads are only 1.5mm ?
Yes Bill it has, the plug ends are clear and its 2.5. Its the proper caravan lead with the locking female end.
Cheers

-- Edited by Phil C on Monday 30th of January 2017 11:10:16 AM
Hi Phil. what is a 'locking female end.'?
Cheers, John.

Hi John,

The bit that goes into the caravan (female end or socket) has a latch on it to hold it on the pins.

meetoo · Guru

Thanks Phil.

Cheers, John.

oldbloke · Guru

Plugs and extension sockets may be replaced by a non-electrically qualified person, provided the person has been trained, assessed and found to be competent to fit plugs and sockets according to the manufacturers instructions.

Yep, used to apply to appliances too. But not sure if that's still the case.

-- Edited by oldbloke on Thursday 2nd of February 2017 11:01:22 PM