I have purchased a static caravan. I would like to add a coin operated electric meter to it. Are there any regulations, Part P etc. that would prevent me from doing this myself?
Thanks
Craig
Thanks
Craig
Static Caravan Wiring
- Thread starter F1yTrap
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The Building Regulations don't apply to the caravan, but they might apply to the work you'll be doing to provide a source of power for it.
What type of earthing does the supply to the caravan have?
But there's only one reason I can think of why you'd want a coin operated meter, so if I'm right, given your œuvre here I think you would be grossly irresponsible to do the work yourself, even if your liability insurance and site licence permit it.
What type of earthing does the supply to the caravan have?
But there's only one reason I can think of why you'd want a coin operated meter, so if I'm right, given your œuvre here I think you would be grossly irresponsible to do the work yourself, even if your liability insurance and site licence permit it.
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I am uncertain as to when a caravan is counted as a building and when it is not. A touring caravan is clearly not a building but some static vans can be classed as buildings. So uncertain as to Part P but think unlikely.
As to coin meters the problem is more to do with charging as you are not allowed to add anything to the bill. This was a problem with marinas and at the end of year the site owners had to give a refund to users to ensure they did not profit from the meter. They were fitted I think in case some one sailed off never to be seen again. And also so if something left on in error there was a limit to how much would be used.
One must of course do a risk assessment and consider what would be the danger if any to a loss of supply. With the boats there was always battery back-up but with a static caravan one could have a problem with loss of lights. And fire risk if candles are used.
As to DIY as with most DIY jobs it is the inspection and testing that presents the problem. The test instruments used cost around £75 just to hire and even when you get them you need to know how to use them. You would need to complete an installation or minor works certificate to show you have taken all reasonable care.
The problem is we don't know what your skills are. You could be a commercial electrician just asking about the special domestic considerations or a complete idiot and clearly no one will ever admit to being an idiot. So in real terms no one can say you can or can't do it. All we can do is point out some of the problems.
If I had a static caravan I would not want the heating to fail and pipes to freeze while I was not in residence. So I would not fit a coin meter.
The last marina my son lived on charged a fixed fee according to the size of the MCB feeding the boat. This was not strictly complying with supply regulations but it suited most people so no one complained.
As to coin meters the problem is more to do with charging as you are not allowed to add anything to the bill. This was a problem with marinas and at the end of year the site owners had to give a refund to users to ensure they did not profit from the meter. They were fitted I think in case some one sailed off never to be seen again. And also so if something left on in error there was a limit to how much would be used.
One must of course do a risk assessment and consider what would be the danger if any to a loss of supply. With the boats there was always battery back-up but with a static caravan one could have a problem with loss of lights. And fire risk if candles are used.
As to DIY as with most DIY jobs it is the inspection and testing that presents the problem. The test instruments used cost around £75 just to hire and even when you get them you need to know how to use them. You would need to complete an installation or minor works certificate to show you have taken all reasonable care.
The problem is we don't know what your skills are. You could be a commercial electrician just asking about the special domestic considerations or a complete idiot and clearly no one will ever admit to being an idiot. So in real terms no one can say you can or can't do it. All we can do is point out some of the problems.
If I had a static caravan I would not want the heating to fail and pipes to freeze while I was not in residence. So I would not fit a coin meter.
The last marina my son lived on charged a fixed fee according to the size of the MCB feeding the boat. This was not strictly complying with supply regulations but it suited most people so no one complained.
Neither.
But not, IMO, anywhere near experienced enough to be running supplies to, and connecting up, a caravan for paying guests.
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Point taken I had not looked at previous posts. It does seem this is not the sort of work he should be attempting.
P
Paul_C
They have to be pretty large, or have extra extensions added to fall outside the legal definition of caravan. The Caravan Sites Act 1968 set a limit of up to 60 ft. long, 20 ft. wide, with an internal ceiling height not over 10 ft., and capable of being moved by being split into no more than two sections. The 60 x 20 ft. limits were extended to about 66 x 22 ft. a few years ago.
More EC harmonisation
ECB, surely?
The limits to the max size of static caravans and park homes was increased in line with the max size that could be transported on the highways without requiring a police escort.
All statics and park homes may be jacked off the base and stood on stands BUT the wheels must remain on the axles thus they are classed as mobile and do not come under any regulations such as Part P or BCs.
There are certain things that they must comply with but mostly for insurance purposes.
The electrical supply to park homes, if supplied from a remote meter and protective devises, must be checked by qualified electrical company every two years, as ours is, but they do not check the internal wiring after the consumer unit in each home.
All statics and park homes may be jacked off the base and stood on stands BUT the wheels must remain on the axles thus they are classed as mobile and do not come under any regulations such as Part P or BCs.
There are certain things that they must comply with but mostly for insurance purposes.
The electrical supply to park homes, if supplied from a remote meter and protective devises, must be checked by qualified electrical company every two years, as ours is, but they do not check the internal wiring after the consumer unit in each home.
P
Paul_C
There's nothing in the legislation which demands that wheels remain attached. The only stipulation is that the fully assembled unit must be capable of being moved in one piece.
http://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/1968/52/section/13
I think that might be only be a licensing condition for a residential park. It wouldn't apply to a unit within the curtilage of an existing dwelling used as extra accommodation, work space, etc.
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