Caravan warning

Press, 31 March 1980, Page 6

Caravan warning

PA ! : Wellington <A warning/about electrical hazards has /been , issued to people ; intending./; to;use caravans at ''Easter. The Ministry of Energy's Electricity Division is concerned about the increase :• in electrical accidents .- involving caravans. - ■ - ’-■> • /Its commercial manager (Mr ‘J. P. F. Robinson) said theL five . reported last, year were the. result : of incorrectly wired plugs and "Extension: [cords are often joined, by usings' standard domestic plugs• and 'sockets from' a housepower - point and/if anv one of the/plugs or’ sockets. hass beeirincqrrectly wired-the caravan rjtself becomes alive”:

ii ■ Ina fatal/accident last year I a woman / wasj killed when [; she stepped; from her cara- > van and'electric current • flowed through her from the ! metal exterior of the caravan •to the ground?/ •■: ■> : 11 - The • regulations covering : [power >to; tcaravans specify ' that the cord.used must;be “in one piece”; That means • that the. common practice of II connecting several extension I cords to make the distance *jis illegal and dangerous. IIf■ -If ?a caravan /.supplied jfrom '.a -hoijse, registered relectrician must install? .-a I, special weather-proof power > I point on the outside of the t’ house. -. ;i ■ The -regulations require s | electricab--. - installations -, ■- in . caravans "to be inspected ’every, 40 months.