I am going to put electrics into my van and noticed that all the kits have RCD units and most people seem to use a garage type RCD unit in their van installs but given that most people just have a couple of sockets and a fridge then why not just use an inline RCD? Much easier to fit, doesn't need mounting,. cheaper and takes up virtually no space. I accept that you can't separate the fridge from the sockets but I don't think it is important. Am I missing something else?
jhunter
What do you mean by and in-line RCD?
The only in-line ones I know of are the variety that is built into a 13A plug.
You can get the camping type with a commando (blue) plug one end and RCD / 13A socket combo the other but these are more for use inside an awning / tent or van and are extremely bulky. You'd have to run it through the door or window of a van, not ideal. By the time you have worked out a suitable way, you'll be back to the usual 2 way RCD / breaker unit.
It doesn't matter if the fridge and sockets are on the same circuit anyway. I don't really see it being an issue to mount the CU in the van with Commando external plug mounted underneath or out of the rear fog.
The only in-line ones I know of are the variety that is built into a 13A plug.
You can get the camping type with a commando (blue) plug one end and RCD / 13A socket combo the other but these are more for use inside an awning / tent or van and are extremely bulky. You'd have to run it through the door or window of a van, not ideal. By the time you have worked out a suitable way, you'll be back to the usual 2 way RCD / breaker unit.
It doesn't matter if the fridge and sockets are on the same circuit anyway. I don't really see it being an issue to mount the CU in the van with Commando external plug mounted underneath or out of the rear fog.
A neat option if you have very occasional and little need for a mains outlet is an RCD built into a socket (either single or dual). I have fitted these to some vans, using both passive and active versions.
The in-line RCDs that you often see on external extension leads are not that handy as they need to just 'lay' somewhere. I have one like that I bought yeats ago and find it a PITA.
The in-line RCDs that you often see on external extension leads are not that handy as they need to just 'lay' somewhere. I have one like that I bought yeats ago and find it a PITA.
I believe that for 'mobile use' i.e. caravans, motor homes, campers etc. it is a legal requirement to use double pole RCD's.
Not sure how others do it but in mine I like to use two circuits, a low power one for the battery charger and a higher power one for the sockets. That way if someone plugs something into a socket and blows the fuse it doesn't interrupt the battery charger unless they trip the master. In a garage you traditionally use the low power one for the lights and he high power one for the sockets.
By using a distribution unit close to the input socket, the amount of cable that is not protected by your own RCD is minimised. I have a run of about 3 feet of cable between the socket and the distribution unit. I also have the van body tied to earth, something that's easy to do with a distribution unit.
By using a distribution unit close to the input socket, the amount of cable that is not protected by your own RCD is minimised. I have a run of about 3 feet of cable between the socket and the distribution unit. I also have the van body tied to earth, something that's easy to do with a distribution unit.
I've got an in line RCD.
I only use hookup for occasional use, a single socket for a battery charger, etc, no fridge.
I've installed a hookup plug under the bonnet, with the flex routed through the bulkhead and to a hookup socket mounted above the passengers feet. The single socket plugs into this on a couple of meters of flex and a single camping socket.
The hookup lead runs from the campsite bollard to the socket under the bonnet and has the RCD on the bonnet end of the lead, which sits nicely in the engine bay away from the wet.
So in essence the only permanent part of the installation is the bit from under the bonnet to the passenger footwell.
I only use hookup for occasional use, a single socket for a battery charger, etc, no fridge.
I've installed a hookup plug under the bonnet, with the flex routed through the bulkhead and to a hookup socket mounted above the passengers feet. The single socket plugs into this on a couple of meters of flex and a single camping socket.
The hookup lead runs from the campsite bollard to the socket under the bonnet and has the RCD on the bonnet end of the lead, which sits nicely in the engine bay away from the wet.
So in essence the only permanent part of the installation is the bit from under the bonnet to the passenger footwell.
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