Hook up cables 1.5 or 2.5 core?

[scotzsue]

I want a new hook up cable for the doblo the one I have is only 10M and I had to borrow one at the last site I visited. I only have one socket, but have been known to use an extension lead to run a couple of things at once. Have a waeco compressor fridge and 3 led lights oh and it runs the battery charger too. Which would be suitable. the 2.5 core we have in the mizar is very bulky, but it is 25M.
Advice please lovely people.

 

[Richard n Ann]

I changed ours to 1.5mm to save weight. It's rated up to 15 amps which is plenty for what we use.

 

[Two on Tour]

Same as Richard and Ann plus I divided our 25 metre run into 1 x 10 metre and 1 x 15 metre, and it's just the 10 metre that gets used the most.

 

[scotzsue]

good idea Two on Tour will just buy a 15M one can't think I will ever use a full 16 amps at any one time.

 

[Gellyneck]

The cable you use should be capable of carrying a current equal to or in excess of the rating of your breaker. 1.5mm cable is normally rated at 16A but I use 2.5mm to be sure.

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[DBK]

I made up 25m and 10m 1.5mm cables, which together take up the same space as the 2.5mm 25m cable. But I only use the 1.5s outside the UK. If we planned to use say a CMC site in the UK I would take the 2.5 as I'm fairly sure they insist on them.

 

[DaveandJen]

I changed ours to 1.5mm to save weight. It's rated up to 15 amps which is plenty for what we use.

Can I ask what cable length this is based on? It’s very unlikely that a 1.5mm cable would be specified for a 15 amp supply 25 metres away by even an apprentice electrician.

 

[Richard n Ann]

Can I ask what cable length this is based on?

Don't know off hand 20m rings a bell... maybe ?

 

[autorouter]

16 amps through 25m of 2.5mm2 cable gives a voltage drop of about 3%.
10 amps through 25m of 1.5mm2 cable gives a voltage drop of about 3%.
If you're never going to use more than 10 amps (that's 2400 watts) then a 1.5mm2 cable will be fine.
1.5mm2 cable is capable of carrying 16 amps, but the voltage drop at this amperage will be excessive, so it's not commonly used for amperages so high.

 

[Vipar]

Being naive what will happen if I use the 1.5 cable and use the 3 kw kettle and perhaps something else. Will the cable melt?

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[Bonkers the Dog]

Reality as we know it will end and you will be cast down into an alternate reality that will bring about the ultimate destruction of mankind; and no your cable won't melt. IT WILL BURST INTO FLAME AND INCINERATE US ALL....DONT DO IT!!!

 

[funflair]

Being naive what will happen if I use the 1.5 cable and use the 3 kw kettle and perhaps something else. Will the cable melt?

Just divide 3000 (3kw) by the 240volts and you get the amps you are pulling ie 12.5 then see post above re voltage drop, as the kettle won’t be boiling all day I would say OK.

Martin

 

[Lenny HB]

Being naive what will happen if I use the 1.5 cable and use the 3 kw kettle and perhaps something else. Will the cable melt?

The kettle will take a tiny bit longer to boil as voltage will be lower.

I've been using 1.5mm sq in caravans & Motorhomes for over 30 years, I haven't burst into flames yet. I carry a 25 & 15m.

Like most German vans the MCB in the van is 10 amp anyway so 1.5 is more than adequate, so the van electrics would trip out way before there is any danger of overloading the cable.

If you look in accessory shops abroad you will see the standard hook up cable is a 50 m 1.5 mm sq cable.

2.5 mm sq cable far too heavy for us old boys to be messing about with.

 

[Vipar]

Thanks Lenny I knew that I could rely on you for the correct answer.
You seem to know the answer to all the leccy questions.

I have the 2.5 cable and it’s a pain in the arse putting it away.

 

[Silver-Fox]

I personally use 2.5
One at 10m and one at 15m

I know I could use 1.5 but I am one for going over the top.

This is why I don’t like undoing my work ?

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[DBK]

Thanks Lenny I knew that I could rely on you for the correct answer.
You seem to know the answer to all the leccy questions.

I have the 2.5 cable and it’s a pain in the arse putting it away.

One of the advantages of 1.5mm is if you choose the blue arctic cable it remains soft and easy to handle when cold.

For use outside the UK when the supply might be limited to 6A or less it is ideal. Voltage drop is linked to current flow so if the current is low so is the voltage drop.

 

[Madcaravanner]

2.5mm Orange Winter Flex easy to coil even cold

Wouldn't go to 1.5mm as I KNOW that's what is used in building for lighting circuits 2.5mm is used for power circuits

 

[Silver-Fox]

I made my own up with cable recommended on here.

It’s black, I know I’ll burn in hell, but you can tie a knot in it and it just unravels ?

 

[Scotsblood]

2.5mm Orange Winter Flex easy to coil even cold

Wouldn't go to 1.5mm as I KNOW that's what is used in building for lighting circuits 2.5mm is used for power circuits

Yes but 2.5mm twin & earth is for 30A ring main or spur for a double 13A socket!

 

[thebriars]

2.5mm Orange Winter Flex easy to coil even cold

Wouldn't go to 1.5mm as I KNOW that's what is used in building for lighting circuits 2.5mm is used for power circuits

This is a flawed way of assuming the correct thickness. Current carrying capacity is reliant of several factors; the factors for external EHU leads are quite different to those in domestic wiring. In any case you can use 1mm cable for domestic lighting circuits, and these days with LED lighting it would be difficult to reach even 6 amps on a normal sized lighting circuit.

As for orange cable, I dumped mine years ago and always use the 1.5mm blue arctic cable. It has survived for 15+ years now and is as good as new, and very easy to coil. I have a 15m and a 10m length.

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[thebriars]

I made my own up with cable recommended on here.

It’s black, I know I’ll burn in hell, but you can tie a knot in it and it just unravels ?

My Benimar came with a black cable. I haven't burned in hell, but there again, its stuck on a shelf unused. As I said above I much prefer my blue arctic cable.

 

[Silver-Fox]

My Benimar came with a black cable. I haven't burned in hell, but there again, its stuck on a shelf unused. As I said above I much prefer my blue arctic cable.

Phew that’s lucky, I’ll probably be ok then ?

 

[thebriars]

Phew that’s lucky, I’ll probably be ok then ?

Nah! Not a chance. I could say I'd see you in hell, but I will probably get chucked out of there.



Hmmm. Perhaps something for another topic. What happens when you are not accepted in hell? Where do you go then? Reincarnation maybe- this time as a politician?

 

[Silver-Fox]

Hmmm. Perhaps something for another topic. What happens when you are not accepted in hell? Where do you go then? Reincarnation maybe- this time as a politician?

I bloody well hope not, I couldn’t live with the shame ?

 

[Two on Tour]

I bloody well hope not, I couldn’t live with the shame ?

Oh, I don't no so much about that as you have had some practice with that duff motorbike you had.

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[Silver-Fox]

Oh, I don't no so much about that as you have had some practice with that duff motorbike you had.

That was low even for you.

I’ll have you know CCM are a great British institution.

Only gone bust half a dozen times I think ??

 

[HandyAndy]

Being naive what will happen if I use the 1.5 cable and use the 3 kw kettle and perhaps something else. Will the cable melt?

Voltage will sag which will cause the amps to rise, connectors, pins and small cables not designed for those amps will feel the heat.

 

[Richard n Ann]

Voltage will sag which will cause the amps to rise, connectors, pins and small cables not designed for those amps will feel the heat.

Wrong I'm afraid, lower voltage equals lower current. Common misconception.

What you're thinking is to keep the same power used current would have to be higher... But with a lower voltage the power consumed is less ?

 

[HandyAndy]

Damnit, had to check my thinking there ?
Higher resistance cable will cause lower current.
So either the kettle takes an hour to boil or it boils when the van catches fire. ???

 

[Potty]

I see that many are saying they carry 2 cables. Do be aware that if you stay on a CMHC site, their rules do not allow joining of cables. Some wardens ignore it but some don’t.