How do i get power from my inverter to the sockets around my van?

[Jbamps]

Do i use Twin and earth / twin core flat or do i use a positive and negative cable to get power from my inverter to the sockets in my van. I am a novice so please excuse me if this is a really dumb question

 

[John Frum]

I'm guessing you are In the UK, confirm?
If yes Greg Virgoe has some great YouTube videos. He used something called Arctic blue in wire look.

 

[Jbamps]

Yes i am in the UK,. how did you know?

I watch a lot of Greg, couldn't find the answer, i'll search again. Thank you

 

[John Frum]

 

[John Frum]

Mobile applications should use stranded cable because it not as susceptible to "work hardening".
You should use ferrules and crimps where appropriate.

 

[John Frum]

Yes i am in the UK,. how did you know?

I watch a lot of Greg, couldn't find the answer, i'll search again. Thank you

In North america the goto wire is "romex".
Twin and earth is not a common term.

 

[Pierre]

Do i use Twin and earth / twin core flat or do i use a positive and negative cable to get power from my inverter to the sockets in my van. I am a novice so please excuse me if this is a really dumb question

As it is all indoors can you not use 1,5 or 2,5mm2 x 3core PVC flex ( brown , blue & green/yellow ) as it is much nicer to work with / more flexible than twin and earth. Choose cable based on the cct breaker capacity.

 

[Pierre]

In North america the goto wire is "romex".
Twin and earth is not a common term.

Joey , would like to see what romex looks like - will google.

 

[John Frum]

Woods 28828226 12/2 15' NM-B W/G Wire, Electrical Wire - Amazon Canada

Woods 28828226 12/2 15' NM-B W/G Wire in Electrical Wire.

www.amazon.ca

 

[Jbamps]

Ok thank you,

Do i go from inverter to plug then Arctic Blue Wire to (consumer unit) then to sockets

Or do i just go straight to sockets and skip the consumer unit please?

 

[Pierre]

Joey , would like to see what romex looks like - will google.

Just had a look at romex and it looks similar to our twin & earth. 1,5mm2 for lighting cct's and 2,5mm2 for plug cct's.

 

[John Frum]

Ok thank you,

Do i go from inverter to plug then Arctic Blue Wire to (consumer unit) then to sockets

Or do i just go straight to sockets and skip the consumer unit please?

What is the continuous watt rating of your inverter?

 

[Jbamps]

What is the continuous watt rating of your inverter?

It is a victron 800w inverter

 

[John Frum]

lets call that 1000 watts, which is a very small amount of ac power btw.
Assuming your supply is 240VAC@50hz.
1000 ac watts / 240 volts = 4.166666667 amps
You could go as low 1.5 mm2 for your mains and branch circuits.
I would be tempted to go 2.5 mm2 for both the mains and branches.
Use Arctic blue for all the internal wiring and use split loom to protect the wire anywhere it could contact with and/or chafe against anything.

 

[Pierre]

So Arctic Blue is similar to our 3core PVC cable.

 

[Jbamps]

Thank you soooo much

Did you use a consumer unit?

 

[Pierre]

Thank you soooo much

Did you use a consumer unit?

Sorry , do not know what that is. Maybe known as something else here in ZA

 

[John Frum]

Sorry , do not know what that is. Maybe known as something else here in ZA

consumer unit is the mains panel.
RCD=residual current device~=ground fautl circuit interupter
MCB=miniature circuit breaker~=circuit breaker

This is one of the wire types I would use for a mobile application in North America.

Marine Grade Flat Triplex Wires

Triplex wire for marine and other DC applications. Tinned, stranded conductors resist corrosion and vibration for use in harsh environments, and extended service in normal applications.

baymarinesupply.com

neutral=white=blue
line=black=brown
ground=green=green

 

[John Frum]

Since we could consider the whole of your van a bedroom we should find the uk equivalent of an arc fault breaker.

 

[Pierre]

Thanks , we call it the ' Main Distribution Board '
Here RCD is called a ' earth leakage unit '
MCB is the same.