What size power lead?

[Yoda42]

We are powered site virgins

We've never needed power to date with our camping, as we've relied on our solar panel and not too many accessories, the fridge and lighting being the most we've had requiring power.

But with the advent of the trailer, in order to extend our camping "season", we're going to want power to run a kick arse fan (still looking for a portable a/c that would fit the bill!).

It's only just crossed our minds - what length power lead do most people use? What's the furthest you've had to run a lead?

[D4D]

Depends on the site, some have required 10m others 30m. By law (Symon can correct me) it can only be one lead. I have a 30m, I figure8 it under the camper if I don't require the full length. When I had the Tambo I also ran my own RCD device, the Goldstream has one built in. You'll also find they're 15amp circuits.

[Maîneÿ . . .]

We've never needed power to date with our camping, as we've relied on our solar panel and not too many accessories, the fridge and lighting being the most we've had requiring power.

But with the advent of the trailer, in order to extend our camping "season", we're going to want power to run a kick arse fan (still looking for a portable a/c that would fit the bill!).

It's only just crossed our minds - what length power lead do most people use? What's the furthest you've had to run a lead?

I take 2 x 30Mt, 240v extension cables with me, and also have a 10Mt solar power extension cable  

I sometimes leave the van with solar panels attached to roof in the sun, camp in the shade, and run the accessories from the inverter from the 2 x 240v extension leads

[Symon]

Depends on the site, some have required 10m others 30m. By law (Symon can correct me) it can only be one lead. I have a 30m

Correct, if you comply with AS then the maximum lead length is 30m.  You are not allowed to join extension leads together.

[Bushman]

I carry a 20 metre lead (15amp )  though it is a pain when you only need 3metre

[Yoda42]

Thanks for the info 
looks like safest bet is a 30m 15 amp, that way we have the best chance of having the right length( and complying to AS) and just tuck what is not needed under the CT out of the way

Cheers Yoda

[Beachman]

Another question with power leads in Caravan Park, do they have to be 15amp or can I use my normal 30m household extension lead (does 10amp sound correct)

We are also doing our first trip to a Caravan Park later this year and getting a powered site to run 2 x 40L Engel fridges and maybe a jug to boil water in the mornings, so not like we are pulling lots of power??

[Maîneÿ . . .]

Another question with power leads in Caravan Park, do they have to be 15amp or can I use my normal 30m household extension lead

The 'normal' 10 Amp extension cable is the recommended cable in caravan parks, 15 Amp plugs are different so often won't fit anyway

[Nutto]

The 'normal' 10 Amp extension cable is the recommended cable in caravan parks, 15 Amp plugs are different so often won't fit anyway

Sounds ass-about to me?  Caravans have to have 15amp plugs/leads, so van parks cater to this. 10amp plug will still go into a 15amp, but not vice-versa  (15amp plug has a larger earth pin).

[Symon]

Nutto is correct, a 10A plug will go into a 15A socket outlet, but a 15A plug will not go into a 10A socket outlet.

So yes, you can use a 10A lead in a caravan park.

[Humbolt]

I have a hunch that's what Mainey was trying to say, just to be on the safe side.
I have been to parks and if i had taken a 15A lead, there would have been no power for me

[Maîneÿ . . .]

I have a hunch that's what Mainey was trying to say, just to be on the safe side.
I have been to parks and if i had taken a 15A lead, there would have been no power for me

Humbolt,   Yes, Thank you

How many people would have 15 Amp "extension" leads anyway, as they can only be used in 15 Amp female plugs and I'm sure there are none in most homes 

[Bushman]

You really only need the 15amp lead if you are running   any type of  caravan/jayco style campers as they all have 15amp inlets think some softfloors may have 15amp inlet if they are wired for 240v  if your just powered camping with tent/soft floor etc style campers you'll be right with 10amp lead to run lights fridge etc., but yes you'll be pluging to 15amp outlets

[D4D]

I know it fits but is a 10A plug in a 15A socket legal?

[Gunna Do]

I know it fits but is a 10A plug in a 15A socket legal?

Yes.

[Maîneÿ . . .]

Go into any caravan park and see how many 15 Amp extension leads are in use, I would suggest it's a very low %

Question: how many guys here use a 15 Amp extension lead in caravan parks

[D4D]

Question: how many guys here use a 15 Amp extension lead in caravan parks

Yes

[Beachman]

Thanks everyone and appreciate your quick response. I’m glad my normal home lead will fit as didn’t feel like having to buy a new lead.

[Gunna Do]

Question: how many guys here use a 15 Amp extension lead in caravan parks

On the rare occassions we go to caravan parks we use a 15 amp extension lead, or a doctored up 15 amp lead with a 10am male plug on it.

I know it's not legal, I know it can cause problems, I'm aware of the risks, and am happy to keep using it.  Safety police back in the corner.

[Symon]

I know it fits but is a 10A plug in a 15A socket legal?

Absolutely, they are designed to do exactly that.  A 10A plug will go into a 10A, 15A, 20A or 32A socket outlet.  A 15A will go into a 15A, 20A or 32A one, and a 20A will go into a 20A or 32A one, and funnily enough a 32A one will only go into a 32A socket outlet.  Pretty much foolproof (unless of course people make their own leads, but I won't go into that)  

Go into any caravan park and see how many 15 Amp extension leads are in use, I would suggest it's a very low %

Question: how many guys here use a 15 Amp extension lead in caravan parks

PLENTY.  I don't go into caravan parks that often, but just about every caravan I've seen uses a 15A lead.

And I have a 15A outlet (4 in fact) in my house, so using a 15A lead is no problem for me.  My camper has hard wired 240V systems, and is fitted with a 15A inlet, so I use a 15A lead.

[Manjimike]

Question: how many guys here use a 15 Amp extension lead in caravan parks

I do

[Manjimike]

Absolutely, they are designed to do exactly that.  A 10A plug will go into a 10A, 15A, 20A or 32A socket outlet.  A 15A will go into a 15A, 20A or 32A one, and a 20A will go into a 20A or 32A one, and funnily enough a 32A one will only go into a 32A socket outlet.  Pretty much foolproof (unless of course people make their own leads, but I won't go into that)  

I know the earth pin on a 15A plug is larger, and all three pins on a 20A are the large variety, but how is a 32A plug configured just for interest sake?

 
Mike

[Symon]

They are the same size as a 20A plug, but the earth pin is bent in an "L" shape.  Not very common, in fact I haven't seen one in years.  What is more common is the 32A round style, where all the pins are round.  From memory (could be wrong) that these plugs will go into 40A and 50A plugs.  I don't think they make anything larger than 50A for single phase.

[Manjimike]

Thanks everyone and appreciate your quick response. I’m glad my normal home lead will fit as didn’t feel like having to buy a new lead.

Take care as some cords with 10A plugs/sockets are only really rated to 7A (normally the really skinny ones}

 
Mike

[Manjimike]

They are the same size as a 20A plug, but the earth pin is bent in an "L" shape.  Not very common, in fact I haven't seen one in years.  What is more common is the 32A round style, where all the pins are round.  From memory (could be wrong) that these plugs will go into 40A and 50A plugs.  I don't think they make anything larger than 50A for single phase.

Thanks Symon,
I have a 20 A extension lead for my welder but have never seen the 32A variety

 
Mike