Sockets

Mtbcol

Mtbcol

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Hi all
Once I'm ready to go, instead of plugging and extension lead into my inverter is there any problem with using a couple of single (or double maybe) 240 volt sockets off the same cable that's plugged into the inverter, and placed in different locations? They will be dedicated inverter sockets only.

Thanks in advance
Colin.🙂
 
My buddy has a double socket, wired with mains cable that's wired to a 13amp plug. The plug is then plugged into the inverter, & the fridge etc plugged into the double socket, works fine...
 
Hi Snapster
So, 13 amp plug, plugged into inverter three core flex to junction box, then split to either two single or 1 double 13 amp socket? No earth spikes or plates under wheels etc.?
I'm not taking the pee, it's just that Iv'e been told people use extension leads plugged into inverters with no mention of earth spikes etc.and I cannot see any difference if you have a double socket on the end of a flex plugged into an inverter or a shop purchased extension lead? Proper socket certainly looks neater to me. Again the sockets would be dedicated to the Inverter only.
 
Mtbcol said:
Hi all
Once I'm ready to go, instead of plugging and extension lead into my inverter is there any problem with using a couple of single (or double maybe) 240 volt sockets off the same cable that's plugged into the inverter, and placed in different locations? They will be dedicated inverter sockets only.

Thanks in advance
Colin.🙂
Click to expand...
I've done that with 3 double sockets fitted around the motorhome on a small ring main where the start is a plug put into the inverter. no switch over needed, only issue is Jill often plugs things into them when we are on electric hook up and hence the inverter is off so then says the hook up isn't working !!!:rolleyes:
 
Thank you Raptor.
I'll give it a go then. I only really want a double socket. One side for the fridge to be plugged in when wild camping, and the other in case my wife wants to plug in a hair dryer, rather than pull out the fridge plug and forget to plug it back in again. EHU sockets will be separate, just need to unplug fridge from inverter socket and plug into ehu socket. So plug and flex from inverter to junction box and junction box to socket/s in grey, flat cable?
 
Mtbcol said:
Hi Snapster
So, 13 amp plug, plugged into inverter three core flex to junction box, then split to either two single or 1 double 13 amp socket? No earth spikes or plates under wheels etc.?
I'm not taking the pee, it's just that Iv'e been told people use extension leads plugged into inverters with no mention of earth spikes etc.and I cannot see any difference if you have a double socket on the end of a flex plugged into an inverter or a shop purchased extension lead? Proper socket certainly looks neater to me. Again the sockets would be dedicated to the Inverter only.
Click to expand...
You don’t use an earth spike or plate under the wheel when on EHU so why would you when using an inverter?
 
Mtbcol said:
Thanks all, I think I'm going to keep it simples, with an extension lead from the inverter 🙂👍. Hopefully won't need to worry about earth spikes and plates under wheels etc.? 🤞
Click to expand...
Tec yes you do, though there was a test done on tube and many inverters will not give a shock, I would be weary on that, better safe than sorry
 
Snapster said:
You don’t use an earth spike or plate under the wheel when on EHU so why would you when using an inverter?
Click to expand...
Because the ehu is earthed, the inverter is not, mine clearly says earth and has a connection for it, many tyres have carbon in the rubber and some say this is ok if you earth the inverter to the body, here is what some say and it agrees with info I have picked up.
earth info.png
 
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Now I'm worried, so should I take a cable from the earth tag in my inverter and connect it to a spike which I hammer into the ground and not connect the inverter earth tag to the chassis of my van. So have to have a door slightly open for the earth wire to pass through to connect to the spike.
 
Many inverters have two lives and no ground. You have to tie a live to ground to make a neutral. If your vehicle is not grounded it becomes live relative to ground. Confused? Many are. It would be unwise to use the same extension or ring for both Ehu and inverter, unless you have taken precautions to prevent a voltage between ground and your vehicle.
 
My inverter socket/s and ehu sockets will be completely separate and not at all connected in any way. Does this make a difference? I just want to keep my wife and I safe from possible shocks etc.
 
SquirrellCook said:
Many inverters have two lives and no ground. You have to tie a live to ground to make a neutral. If your vehicle is not grounded it becomes live relative to ground. Confused? Many are. It would be unwise to use the same extension or ring for both Ehu and inverter, unless you have taken precautions to prevent a voltage between ground and your vehicle.
Click to expand...
WHAT, no no one hot live and N or ground which is the same, some have the nut and ground wired internally
 
Mtbcol said:
My inverter socket/s and ehu sockets will be completely separate and not at all connected in any way. Does this make a difference? I just want to keep my wife and I safe from possible shocks etc.
Click to expand...
As I said some inverters are ok and will not shock, others must have a neutral or eth connection, all depends on the make and design, mine has a earth point and is connected to the chassis which will run through the carbon tyres, esp if the ground is wet, I have tested and alls well.
Some others require a earth plate or spike, many older units work like this.
 
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