AMPS - amperes – or amps – refer to the quantity of electrical current flowing along an electrical cable. The pressure that pushes it along the cable is measured in volts. Multiplying the volts by the amps gives the amount of energy an appliance uses, expressed in watts (W).
In the UK, normal mains voltage is 230V, though it can vary slightly. The highest amperage of an electrical appliance is 13A, so based on the formula, this becomes 230 x 13, which equals 2990 watts.
The maximum amps available from the hook-up on a UK site is 16A; often it’s less – 10A or 6A. Also, although a nominal 16A may be available, it is unlikely that this amount will reach your caravan if other users are also drawing current.
Hooking up, you need to calculate the total amperage you can draw without tripping out the mains. Add up the wattage of all the appliances and then divide it by 230. Thus a 2kW heater, 125W fridge, 750W kettle, 50W TV, plus two 40W lightbulbs, totals 3005 watts, which, when divided by 230 gives you 13 amps. So if the site’s supply is less than 16A, switch some items off to avoid tripping out the mains.
Our electric hook-up points here at Barcdy are 10 Amp rated. Normal household appliances and fast boiling domestic kettles should not be used in tents or touring caravans. Travel kettles and low wattage appliances should be used instead. All appliances have a wattage marked on them. Ideally the maximum wattage should be no more than 850 to 950 watts.
Overloading will cause tripping of individual units and can also blow the Park’s main fuse, resulting in inconvenience for everyone.
Tents and Trailer tents: a purposely-designed Mobile Mains Unit, with either a single/triple socket, must be used for your electrical equipment. The 13 amp sockets must be to IPP44, the distribution box must have a transparent window, 10 amp double pole MCB, 25 amp RCD connected to 10 meters of cable to BS6500, 240V plug to ISO BS4343 .