Wiring C-line 240V sockets.
C-line products are part of a modular system specifically designed for campervans and caravans and the range includes both 12V and 240V sockets, including USBs, mains 3 pin sockets, light switches and more.
This article shows how to wire one or more of the 240V 3 pin sockets for use with a mains hook up system or large inverter.
If you have a double 240V socket or more than one 240V socket in this range then they will need to be linked radially, as on the right-hand side of the diagram below.
Each of these sockets comes with a separate round backbox, which must be used for safety reasons and to comply with current regulations. The round back boxes have one cut out as standard for the wires to go into and 2 additional blanking points which can be cut out to accommodate the radial wire going off to the next socket.
The method.
For single sockets
Begin by routing your 3 core arctic flex cable to the desired socket location. Make sure you have cut an approx 55mm hole for the backbox to sit into your chosen surface, this should be something firm and a non-moving part of the van.
Next, bring the cable through, if you are wiring a single socket, on its own, with no more sockets on that loop, then you can strip the outer insulation back 6cm, taking care not to nick or damage the insulation of the inner cores. Then strip back the insulation of each individual conductor. Then twist the strands of the copper conductor together and screw them into the marked terminals on the back of the socket. Ensuring each one is tight and won't be able to pull or come out.
Then you can reattach the backbox, screw the socket onto the surface and fit frame around it to finish.
For 1 x double socket
If you're wiring a double socket. Before stripping the insulation, cut a piece of the blue flex off approximately 20cm long, this will serve as a loop as in the above diagram. Make an additional hole in the backbox of the first socket to be wired. (There are breakouts for extra cables). The second socket on the right-hand side of the above diagram can be wired the same as the single socket detailed above. The left socket will have two wires going into each of the Live, Neutral and Earth terminals, its recommended to strip these back a little more and twist them together before screwing them into the terminals,
For multiple double sockets
If you have sockets in multiple areas of the van which are to be wired into the same circuit, please perform the procedure in the same way as for the double socket, but with a longer piece of cable to run on to the next double socket. All sockets in the loop would have two wires in each screw terminal, except the final socket, which will have one.
Do not secure the cables into the socket's screw terminals by clamping the insulation, this will lead to poor connections and melting insuatlion. Please ensure you're only securing the screw terminals onto the copper conductor in the correct marked L, N and E termianals.
Please always have any work checked or carried out by a qualified electrician and always have your work signed off before you connect the input source of power.