Qualified Electrician question

[colinicky]

I have a static caravan ,in the bathroom there is a shower cubicle with a door ,there is a 7cm gap . On the wall OUTSIDE the cubicle is an extractor fan which is 12 - 13 cm away from the cubicle . The fan fitted (which is knackered) is Mains Voltage & IP24 rated but the electrician says this is illegal & it must be low voltage but the original was fitted by the manufacturers & the caravan is only 3 years old . Is he correct or is there some different ruling due to it being a caravan ?
The fan is operated by the pull cord for the light .
TIA

[deepbull]

mains fan is ok
all the 230v electrics in the van should be covered by an RCD

[dry suit diver]

mains fan is certainly not OK

it should be a SELV 24 v fan with the transformer mounted externally to the bathroom or out of any of the special zones. the light circuit earth cable will also need to be connected to any metal pipework that is classed as an extraneous conductive part in the bathroom

BS7671:2001 as amended is quite clear about zones and what can and cannot be installed in these zones. section 601

the fan is only IP24 rated so is not suitable for use in zone 2 at mains voltage, it is however acceptable for a SELV fan


the overall installation should be RCD protected anyway at the Consumer unit. not a requirement for a static van but a good safety measure

when BS7671:2008 comes into effect in July the requiremnets for the earthing are removed but RCD protection becomes mandatory for bathrooms.

to the best of my Knowledge a static van is classed as a normal installation and the requirements of Section 608 part 1 are not to be applied, if you want to apply them you can as they should 'theoretically' make the installation safe.

[MartyC]

Used to be (dim distant past) that if you could touch it when in or leaning out of the shower / bath then it had to be SELV, if you couldn't then normal LV was ok, however with the introduction of zones, I am afraid DSD is correct.
I always thought that carvans, static or not, needed an RCD protected supply as they were outside of the main equipotential zone - but hey, I've been out of the trade for at least nine years - so things change.
For peach of mind I would fit one anyway.

[dry suit diver]

Originally Posted by MartyC

Used to be (dim distant past) that if you could touch it when in or leaning out of the shower / bath then it had to be SELV, if you couldn't then normal LV was ok, however with the introduction of zones, I am afraid DSD is correct.
I always thought that carvans, static or not, needed an RCD protected supply as they were outside of the main equipotential zone - but hey, I've been out of the trade for at least nine years - so things change.
For peach of mind I would fit one anyway.

mid afternoon snack required ?

mobile caravans need a RCD but static depending on which way you read the regulations do not need, most of the hook ups for statics/mobiles will have one anyway though.

you are right about in the dim and distant past it used to be if you couldn't reach it but that wasn't easy to do for periodic inspection as it was very subjective, e.g. a midget might have installed the fan out of reach of him but the 6ft guy could reach it easily.

that is the minimum requirement though, fitting one exceeds what is required and there is never a problem with that unless you are a bean counter.

oh and would hope I am right as I just got accepted as a member of the institue of Engineering and technology ( formerly the Institute of Electrical Engineers).

[Angleseyskipper]

yep should be a low voltage fan in that zone,12v one with transformer will set you back about £30 plus fitting of course
elfyn

[Frankie Price]

The rules for touring caravans have got much keener and all modern units (last 15 years I think) have both MCB protected circuits and RCCB ground fault protection.
Also they should be checked and certified by an approved service centre annually for insurance cover to be valid.
Not really surprising considering the electric hot water and central heating systems you get in caravans today.

[dry suit diver]

Originally Posted by Frankie Price

The rules for touring caravans have got much keener and all modern units (last 15 years I think) have both MCB protected circuits and RCCB ground fault protection.
Also they should be checked and certified by an approved service centre annually for insurance cover to be valid.
Not really surprising considering the electric hot water and central heating systems you get in caravans today.

any NICEIC company will be able to give you the required inspection and carry out the work.

[colinicky]

DSD
Any idea when the regs change for this ? Reason for asking is that we have just had a brand new static caravan delivered ( off production line last week so not old stock ) & it has .... IP24 mains fan in exactly the same position & has been certified !

[colinicky]

Originally Posted by dry suit diver

any NICEIC company will be able to give you the required inspection and carry out the work.

No they can't because all cables are buried in the ceiling & you can only get to them by taking the roof of the caravan !