A campervan electric hook up (AKA Shore power) allows you to fill up with electricity (mains) at a campsite. In my opinion it is essential if you are using the campervan for extended trips. In this guide I will show you the simple approach to installing campervan electric hook up in your campervan! We will look at wiring up a battery charger as well as plug sockets.
I’m Shane, a van conversion professional dedicated to helping people transform ordinary vans into homes on wheels. I've authored Roaming Home, and teach The Van Conversion Course, guiding many people through their van builds. I also write The Van Conversion Newsletter, where I share practical tips and insights. After completing two van builds and living on the road full-time since 2020, I’m excited to share my expertise with you.
So let's jump in and have a look at campervan electric hook up!
Index
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Supplies list 🛒
 | Socket in the side of your van to accept mains electricity |
 | Connect to mains electric hook up at a campsite |
 | Protect your campervan electrical system in case of fault |
 | Protect the rest of the electrical system from surge |
 | Connects to your inverter to deliver 110/240v electricity |
What is a campervan electric hook up?
Shore power (campervan electric hook up) means hooking up to mains to charge your leisure batteries. For example, plugging into campsite electrics for the night. Installing shore power not only allows us to charge up our leisure batteries, but also allows us to run appliances directly off mains when we are plugged in (rather than always running through our batteries).
I have lived for quite some time in my campervan in Chamonix, France. It typically sees temperatures of -20°C in the heart of winter, during this time I tend to leave my van plugged into mains full-time. It is imperative to keep the heater running! I could not live without an electric hook up.
Shore power brings 110V / 230V AC electricity into our van. We use this to charge our 12V DC leisure batteries and wire up plug sockets.
Safety note: AC electricity is dangerous and can kill! If you are unsure about it, it is best left to a professional.
In the Roaming Home 2023 study we found that 58% of people install shore power in their van conversion.
Regulatory Standards for Shore Power: BS 7671 and NEC Compliance
When installing shore power in a campervan, it's crucial to adhere to both BS 7671 (UK) and NEC (USA) standards to ensure safety, compliance, and reliability. These standards regulate the design, installation, and protection of electrical systems in leisure vehicles. Below are the key sections of both codes that apply to shore power systems in campervans.
BS 7671 Compliance (UK)
BS 7671, specifically Section 721, governs electrical installations in leisure accommodation vehicles, including campervans. Key requirements include:
RCD Protection:
Regulation 721.411.3.3 requires that an RCD (Residual Current Device) be installed with a residual operating current not exceeding 30 mA. This device must disconnect both live and neutral conductors if a fault is detected (ground leakage). It ensures that the electrical system is safe by protecting against electrocution.
Double-Pole MCBs (Miniature Circuit Breakers):
Regulation 721.537.2.1.1 mandates the use of double-pole MCBs in campervans. These breakers isolate both the live (line) and neutral conductors in the event of a fault or overload. Single-pole breakers are not permitted in campervans, as they only isolate the live conductor, leaving the neutral conductor potentially energized, which is dangerous in reverse polarity situations.
Stranded Flexible Cables:
Regulation 721.521.1 specifies the use of flexible stranded cables for all wiring in campervans due to their better durability and flexibility. For typical shore power connections, 2.5mm² arctic-rated flexible cable is commonly used. These cables are designed to handle typical loads while remaining flexible in various temperatures.
Earthing Requirements:
Regulation 721.411.4 requires that the campervan’s electrical system be properly earthed (grounded). A 4mm² earth cable (at least) must be used to connect the campervan’s consumer unit to the chassis. This ensures that, in the event of a fault, the chassis serves as a safe path for stray electrical currents, preventing shocks.
Shore Power Cables:
According to Regulation 721.55.1, shore power cables must be flexible, have at least 2.5mm² conductors, and should not exceed 25 meters in length. This ensures that the cables can handle the required current and minimize voltage drop, while being durable enough for repeated outdoor use.
NEC Compliance (USA)
In the USA, NEC (National Electrical Code) Article 551 specifically addresses the electrical installations in recreational vehicles (RVs), which includes campervans. The key sections for shore power installations are:
GFCI Protection (Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter):
NEC 551.71(B) mandates the use of GFCI outlets for all outdoor electrical connections or connections exposed to damp environments, including shore power connections in campervans. GFCIs function similarly to RCDs, protecting against electrical shock by disconnecting power if a ground fault is detected. This is required for all 120V or higher outlets.
Double-Pole Breakers:
NEC 551.45(C) requires the use of double-pole breakers for campervans to isolate both the hot (live) and neutral conductors in the event of a fault. This prevents either conductor from being energized during a fault or overload, ensuring the system is fully disconnected when needed.
Cable Sizing and Ampacity:
NEC 310.15(B)(16) outlines the ampacity requirements for shore power cables. For shore power cables, 12 AWG stranded copper wire is typically required for circuits up to 20 amps, ensuring the wire can safely carry the current without overheating.
For longer shore power cables (such as 25m), voltage drop must be considered, and the cable size should be increased if necessary. The NEC recommends a maximum voltage drop of 3% for branch circuits.
Earthing (Grounding) Requirements:
According to NEC 250.32, the campervan’s electrical system must be properly grounded, similar to BS 7671. The grounding conductor must be securely connected to the campervan’s chassis and sized per NEC 250.122.
Other Relevant Sections of BS 7671 and NEC
Voltage Drop and Cable Length:
BS 7671 Regulation 525 requires that voltage drop in AC circuits should not exceed 5%. This ensures that the electrical system operates efficiently and that no equipment is damaged due to low voltage, especially with long shore power cables.
Similarly, NEC 215.2(A)(4) states that voltage drop for feeder circuits should be limited to 3%. This means longer cables should have larger conductors to minimize voltage loss.
Surge Protection:
BS 7671 Section 443 recommends installing Surge Protection Devices (SPDs) to protect against transient overvoltages, such as those caused by lightning strikes or power surges. These devices prevent damage to sensitive electronics like inverters, battery chargers, and other connected devices.
NEC 551.40 also advises the installation of SPDs in campervan electrical systems, particularly when connecting to external power sources like shore power, which can sometimes be unstable.
Inspection and Testing:
BS 7671 Chapter 61 outlines the importance of testing and inspecting the electrical installation post-installation. This includes testing for earth continuity, polarity, and insulation resistance to ensure the system is safe before use.
NEC 110.3 emphasizes similar post-installation testing to ensure compliance and safety, recommending that all systems be inspected by a qualified professional before use.
What is a battery charger?
A battery charger is a device which converts 110V / 230V AC power into 12V DC power. It also regulates the voltage and current running into the batteries and optimises them per the charging stage of the batteries.
I personally use the Victron Blue Smart IP22 30A battery charger and really like it. It was simple to install, functions flawlessly, and has built-in bluetooth monitoring capability. We will look at how to wire it up later in the guide. It is generally regarded as one of the best battery chargers on the market.
If you want to take it a step up (and simplify things), you could even look at getting the Victron inverter charger. It combines an inverter and battery charger together; all with less wiring! Use the inverter when you are plugged into campervan electric hook up, rather than wiring up a seperate plug socket.
As you research battery chargers, you will find they range in amperage from a lowly 5a all the way up to 100a! The amperage rating of the battery charger directly correlates to the time it will take to recharge your batteries. It will take ~3 hours to recharge a 100aH leisure battery with a the Victron Blue Smart IP22 30a battery charger.
The amperage of the battery charger must be matched to the battery bank size to ensure optimal charging. For example, Victron’s IP22 30A charger can handle battery banks up to 300Ah without overcharging.
Portable battery chargers
Victron also make portable battery chargers which can be used outdoors (waterproof) or for trickle charging (keep a stationary vehicle topped up). They are also very useful for recharging deeply discharged batteries.
How to install a campervan electric hook up (mains electrics)
Step 1: Install a campervan electric hook up inlet in the side of your van
The campervan electric hook up inlet, also known as a mains electrical hook up is where we intake electricity into the campervan. You can learn how to install a shore power inlet here.
Step 2. Connect the campervan electric hook up inlet to a consumer unit
A garage consumer unit contains an RCD (residual current device) and several MCBs (miniature circuit breakers). It is a box of breakers for AC systems.
RCD: The RCD will ensure that the power supply is automatically cut to all of the circuits protected by the device if ground leakage is detected. In North America, these devices are known as ground fault circuit interrupters (GFCI).
BS7671 states that the RCD must have a residual operating current not exceeding 30mA and must turn off both live and neutral in case of fault.
Essentially the RCD will break the circuit if it detects that the electric current is unbalanced between the supply and return. Any difference between the currents indicates leakage, which presents a shock hazard. In a nutshell, RCDs protect you from electrocuting yourself. It also has the added benefit of cutting the circuit if it detects a short circuit (the live and neutral wires touch each other).
Type A vs. Type AC RCDs: Type AC MCB ensures tripping for residual alternating currents, Type A Ensures tripping for residual alternating currents and pulsating direct currents. Since the BS7671:2022 amendment it has been required for all except a few installations that the RCD is a type A device, type AC devices are not suited to typical campervans.
MCB: The MCBs in the consumer unit protect the devices / plug sockets they connect to. A 16A breaker is standard in the UK, while 15A or 20A breakers are typical for US circuits, depending on the wire gauge. If your campsite offers amperage greater than 16A, you will want to move up to a 32A breaker. Only use a 32A breaker if your shore power connection and circuit are designed to handle higher loads, with the appropriate wiring in place
Single vs. double pole MCBs: An MCB can be either single pole or double pole. Per BS 7671:2018 Section 721, you may not install single pole breakers in a campervan. This is because they don't adequately isolate the reverse polarity of some European campsites that operate on a different distribution network.
You must only use double pole MCBs in your campervan electrical system.
How to wire a consumer unit for campervan electric hook up
Using 3-core cable (stranded mandatory), connect the hook up inlet to the consumer unit. You should use ferrule connectors to ensure you get a clean connection with the connector block. In most cases, the cabling should be 2.5mm 3-core arctic rated flex cable.
A typical garage unit for campervans will contain a 40A RCD and two MCBs (normally 6A and 16A).
From shore power inlet: The neutral and live wires go into the top of the RCD, into the corresponding inlets. Earth goes to the earth bar, typically located at the bottom of the unit.
To the battery charger / plug sockets: Our battery charger and plug socket are wired to the consumer unit. The plug socket allows us to use mains directly from the campsite, rather than always running through our leisure batteries. The battery charger charges our leisure battery.
The lives and neutrals connect to the bottoms of the MCBs. The earths all go to the earth bus bar.
Ground: We need to ground our consumer unit. We run this wire to our universal chassis ground point in our van.
Campervan consumer unit wiring diagram
Step 3: Connect the consumer unit to a battery charger
As mentioned previously, we wire our battery charger to the consumer unit using 3-core cable. We run the cable into the consumer unit and wire it up to an MCB.
The battery charger converts AC to DC and regulates the voltage and current flowing to the batteries relative to what stage of the battery charging cycle it is at.
Note: The Victron Blue Smart IP22 battery charger comes with a plug head on it. You will need to snip off this plug head and strip back the Live, Neutral, and Earth in order to wire it up to the consumer unit.
Step 4: Connect the battery charger to the leisure batteries (bus bars)
Next, connect your battery charger to the leisure batteries (or bus bars, if you are using them... which you should). It is common to use 10 mm² cable for this. Add a 40A inline breaker (Bluesea or Bussmann brands only) between the battery charger and the bus bars (as close to the battery charger as possible). Please do your own wire sizing.
Step 5: Wire a plug socket into the consumer unit (optional)
Wiring a plug socket into the consumer unit is very useful. It means that when you are plugged into shore power, you can charge your devices directly off mains (rather than running through your leisure batteries).
Grab some 3-core cable and run one end of it into the consumer unit in the exact same manner as the cable from the battery charger.
Then, with the other end of the 3-core stranded cable, wire up the plug socket. This is quite straightforward. Live to live (brown), neutral to neutral (blue), earth to earth (yellow/green).
Note: Wall sockets in a campervan must be either unswitched or double pole switched. Single pole switched wall sockets are not suitable for a new installation - they are only for static installations.
You will likely be inserting the plug socket into a the plywood / tongue and groove wood in your van; you can use a jigsaw to easily cut out the shape of the plug socket and pop it into the cavity.
Campervan electric hook up cable
Shore power is a bit like dating. You want to make sure you're compatible before you hook up. In order to charge up, you will need a campervan electric hook up cable. This connects the campsite mains to your van. Per the BS 7671 guidelines, it may have a maximum length of 25m, and must be a flexible cable, with minimum 2.5mm² conductors.
Cable Sizing for Shore Power (BS 7671 & NEC)
BS 7671: For shore power cables up to 25 meters, a 2.5mm² cable is typically recommended for 16A systems, as it minimizes voltage drop while meeting regulatory standards.
NEC: In the USA, 12 AWG cables are equivalent to 2.5mm² and are similarly used for 20A circuits. For longer runs, upgrading to 10 AWG or 4.0mm² is advisable to prevent excessive voltage drop.
Note: Ensure the cable is fully uncoiled when in use to avoid overheating.
Voltage Drop and Cable Sizing Calculations
When installing shore power in a campervan, it's crucial to size cables correctly to minimize voltage drop, ensuring that your electrical system runs efficiently and safely. Excessive voltage drop can lead to poor appliance performance, overheating, and even potential damage to electrical devices.
What is Voltage Drop?
Voltage drop occurs when electrical current flows through a cable, causing a reduction in voltage due to the resistance of the cable itself. If the voltage drop is too high, appliances may not receive the correct voltage, leading to inefficient operation or failure.
BS 7671: Limits voltage drop for AC circuits to a maximum of 5% of the supply voltage for campervans.
NEC: Recommends a voltage drop not exceeding 3% for branch circuits to ensure optimal performance.
Choosing the Correct Cable Size
To minimize voltage drop, you must select the appropriate cable size (cross-sectional area, CSA) based on the length of the cable run and the current draw of your devices.
Here’s a simplified guide based on standard copper wire resistances:
Cable Size | Max Current (A) | Voltage Drop per Meter (230V) | Recommended Max Length (m) |
1.5mm² | 16A | 14.93 mV | 20m (BS 7671) / 12m (NEC) |
2.5mm² | 20A | 9.14 mV | 25m (BS 7671) / 18m (NEC) |
4.0mm² | 32A | 5.73 mV | 40m (BS 7671) / 30m (NEC) |
6.0mm² | 40A | 3.82 mV | 55m (BS 7671) / 45m (NEC) |
Surge Protection for Campervans
Although not as critical as in homes, surge protection in campervans is beneficial when connecting to shore power, especially at campsites with unstable electrical grids or in areas prone to lightning strikes. Surges can damage sensitive electronics, such as inverters, battery chargers, and laptops.
Why Use Surge Protection?
Unstable Power: Campsites often have inconsistent power quality, with potential voltage spikes caused by overloading or malfunctioning equipment.
Lightning Strikes: Nearby lightning strikes can induce transient overvoltages, posing a risk to your campervan’s electrical system.
Electronics Protection: Expensive devices like inverters and chargers are vulnerable to power surges, and a Surge Protection Device (SPD) can prevent costly damage.
How to Implement Surge Protection
Install a Type 3 SPD (commonly used for RVs and campervans) at the shore power inlet or consumer unit. These devices protect against smaller surges from shore power connections.
Some inverter chargers and battery chargers include built-in surge protection. Verify if your equipment has this feature.
Choosing a Surge Protector
Look for portable RV surge protectors or hardwired surge protection units rated for 230V (UK/EU) or 120V (USA) systems. Ensure they can handle your typical current draw (e.g., 16A or 30A).
By installing surge protection, you can safeguard your campervan’s electrical system from unpredictable voltage spikes, extending the life of your sensitive electronics.
Note: Most DIY van converters will not install an SPD.
Testing and Inspection Requirements
After installing your campervan shore power system, it is essential to carry out proper testing and inspection to ensure the system is safe, compliant, and functioning as expected. Both BS 7671 (UK) and NEC (USA) require specific tests before energizing the system. These checks help identify issues like poor connections, reverse polarity, and faulty earthing, which could lead to hazards.
BS 7671 (UK) Testing Requirements
Under BS 7671 Chapter 61, electrical installations must undergo initial verification and periodic inspection.
The key tests include:
Continuity of Protective Conductors: This test ensures that the earthing conductors (including bonding) are properly connected, verifying that fault currents can safely flow to ground.
Insulation Resistance Test: This checks the insulation of all cabling to confirm there are no defects that could cause short circuits. The test is typically done at 500V DC, and insulation resistance should be at least 1 MΩ.
Polarity Testing: Ensures that live, neutral, and earth connections are correctly wired, especially important for preventing reverse polarity issues at campsites. The test confirms that the live wire is connected to the correct terminal.
Earth Fault Loop Impedance Test: This test measures the total impedance of the earth fault loop path, ensuring the protective devices will operate within the required time if a fault occurs.
RCD Testing: The RCD (Residual Current Device) must trip within the specified time and current (typically 30mA) to ensure protection against electric shock. Use an RCD tester to simulate ground faults and measure trip times.
How to Perform Essential Electrical Tests:
1. Continuity of Protective Conductors
Purpose: Ensures all earthing conductors are connected correctly.
How to Perform:
Set a multimeter to continuity mode.
Touch one probe to the earth terminal at the consumer unit and the other to each earth point (e.g., metal chassis, sockets).
A continuous beep or low resistance reading confirms proper earthing.
2. Insulation Resistance Test
Purpose: Checks the integrity of insulation between live conductors and earth.
How to Perform:
Disconnect all sensitive devices.
Set the insulation tester to 500V DC.
Test between live and neutral, live and earth, and neutral and earth.
The insulation resistance should read at least 1 MΩ. Anything lower suggests insulation damage.
3. Polarity Testing
Purpose: Ensures that live, neutral, and earth connections are correctly wired.
How to Perform:
Use a multimeter or polarity tester.
Place the probes on the live and neutral terminals of each socket or device.
Confirm that the live terminal has 230V (UK) or 120V (USA) relative to neutral and earth. Reverse polarity indicates a wiring error.
4. Earth Fault Loop Impedance Test
Purpose: Verifies the total impedance of the earth fault loop path to ensure safety devices will trip in the event of a fault.
How to Perform:
Use an earth fault loop impedance tester.
Connect it to a socket and perform the test.
The device will measure the impedance and calculate whether the circuit can handle fault currents safely, comparing to the allowable limits based on circuit ratings.
5. RCD Testing
Purpose: Ensures that the RCD trips within the specified time at a leakage current of 30mA.
How to Perform:
Use an RCD tester and plug it into a socket protected by the RCD.
Simulate a fault by pressing the test button on the tester, which induces a leakage current.
The RCD should trip immediately. Record the trip time and ensure it complies with the standard.
Conclusion
I hope you found this article on how to install a campervan electric hook up useful!
Don't forget to subscribe to The Van Conversion Newsletter for everything you need to get started with your own van conversion (I'll send you a free wiring diagram when you join).
If you're looking for some guidance with your van conversion, you might be interested in our book Roaming Home, or in our online course The Van Conversion Mastery Course. You'll learn directly from me how to convert a van into your dream home - no prior experience needed!
Until next time,
Shane ✌️
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