The
system was designed to allow each trailer connection a max of 2 Amps (approx.
480Watts). The connection on the trailer should be a 16A Appliance Inlet (plug)
preferably a Caravan Mains Hook Up Inlet or Surface/Panel
Mount Inlet with covers for protection when not connected.
Connectors
are available from various retailers.
For
examples have a look at the following :-
https://www.leisureshopdirect.com/electric/230v-equipment/230v-plugs-and-sockets/exterior-plugs-and-sockets/230v-inlet-connection-for-caravan-or-motorhome-white
http://www.essentialsupplies.co.uk/acatalog/16a-Inlets---Mounted-Sockets--2-1.html
https://www.towsure.com/flush-fit-caravan-mains-electric-inlet
The
preferred option is the surface mounting caravan mains inlet as it is a proven
solution (thousands of caravans use it to hook up at campsites throughout
Europe) but in reality, many LGC trailers have fitted ordinary surface mounted
inlets. The inlet MUST be mounted correctly for the mated combination to work
as an IP44(splash proof) connection. The ordinary inlet must come with a cover,
for use when not mated with a socket, and must be mounted with the pins
horizontal either left or right. Mounting the inlet with pins vertical or
angles between horizontal and vertical will still achieve the IP44
specification but makes the socket more vulnerable to water ingress.
The
club supplies a flying lead, from a metered supply, with a socket to mate with
the trailer fixed inlet. The design intention was originally, and still is,
that trailers requiring power would be clustered around the distribution boxes
in order to minimise cable lengths and hence voltage drop. The location,
therefore, of powered trailers would ideally be within 2 rack positions of a distribution
box with an extreme worse case scenario of a maximum supply cable length
limited to half the distance between distribution boxes. The socket is ALWAYS
LIVE – so don’t be tempted to change the installation or modify this primary
connection in any way.
It
is recommended that the flying lead is always connected to the trailer when
parked on the rack and it is also recommended that an internal trailer
isolation switch be installed for supply control. When this socket is not mated with a trailer
inlet it shall be placed on the cable distribution tray or suspended face down
above the ground NOT thrown on the ground. This solution was adopted to make
trailer removal simple, for retrieves, etc, and eliminate trailing leads from
trailers.
There
is no fuse in the line but each user shares the supply with 2 other users (all
individually metered) with a 6 Amp (design compromise) Mini Circuit Breaker
(MCB) for the shared supply. Hence the average allowed consumption is 2 Amps
each. It was assumed that not everyone
will switch on at the same time, will not be using the max 2 Amps and we will
not have a large starting surge which will trip the MCB. It was recognised there could be a problem if
all user partners are running at or near max current and we have a power cut
but it was one of the compromises which had to be made due to limited available
power. All supplies are RCD protected.
There
is a 63 Amps supply to the south rack with, originally, a maximum of 32 users.
In the past there has been a 16 Amp MCB in the main panel of the Ottley
workshop and it only tripped infrequently with about 20 users. It was concluded
that a lot of trailers are running low current appliances, hence the original
design concept of 2 Amps per user with an overall utilisation of 75% giving
about 16 Amps for all the 13 Amp pedestal sockets.
Due
to increased demand for power it was decided, in October 2019, to fully
populate the distribution boxes allowing a maximum of 36 users on the south
rack. This gives a worse case maximum load of 72 Amps and assumes 87% utilisation
during the Winter leaving little or no power allowance
for the 13 Amp pedestal sockets. In addition, fully populating the Ottley allows
a maximum of 12 users again leaving little power allowance for the 13 Amp pedestal
sockets.
Please
minimise your power consumption for the benefit of others and keep use of the 13
Amp pedestal sockets to the minimum from October to March. See FAQs 3).
There
are two standard 13 Amp rectangular pin weatherproof sockets for general use on
each of the pedestals (as on previous system). While 13 Amps can be taken from
an individual socket there is max current limit of 16 Amps simultaneously from
the pair of sockets on each pedestal. When inserting a 13Amp plug DO NOT raise
the weatherproof covers passed horizontal because the hinge will break. Ensure
after use that the weatherproof covers are closed correctly. These sockets are
not to be used for trailer supplies and if used at max current together with
max demand from the trailers the Ottley 63 Amp MCB may trip – so use wisely. If
you trip the main Ottley MCB you will not be popular with your fellow campers!!
All
distribution/meter boxes will be locked. This is primarily for safety reasons
but also to stop any tampering with the system. It is recognised that in a MCB
(three users) or RCD (six users) trip situation this may be inconvenient but
again was a compromise in the design. The CFI/ Manager will hold the keys.
Any
questions or problems contact the undersigned or the CFI/Manager.
Vic
Blaxill June
2015. Updated October 2019