Electric Hook-Up Installation Guide for Site Owners

Complete Electric Hook-Up Installation Guide for Site Owners

Installing or upgrading electric hook-ups is one of the most impactful improvements you can make to your site. This guide covers regulations, specifications, installation considerations, and cost recovery.

Regulatory Framework

BS 7671 Wiring Regulations (18th Edition)

The IET Wiring Regulations are the UK standard:

Key Regulatory Requirements

Requirement	Specification	Why It Matters
RCD protection	30mA, 40ms trip time	Life safety
Maximum earth loop impedance	Per circuit design	Fault clearance
Isolation switching	Per pitch	Maintenance safety
Socket height	0.5-1.5m above ground	Accessibility/safety
Cable burial depth	500mm minimum	Mechanical protection

Socket Specification

Standard Touring Pitch Socket

Component	Specification
Socket type	BS EN 60309-2 "commando"
Current rating	16A (3.68kW capacity)
Voltage	230V single phase
Configuration	Blue, 2P+E (3-pin)
IP rating	IP44 minimum (outdoor)
RCD protection	Integral or upstream

Premium Pitch Options

For super-pitches or permanent installations:

Upgrade	Specification	Use Case
32A supply	7.36kW capacity	Large motorhomes, winter heating
Metered supply	Sub-metering per pitch	Fair billing, energy monitoring
Twin socket	2 x 16A	Multi-unit pitches
EV charging	Type 2, 7-22kW	Electric vehicle support

Distribution System Design

Supply Assessment

Before installation, assess your incoming supply:

• Current maximum demand
• Diversity calculations for pitches
• Future expansion allowance
• DNO (Distribution Network Operator) capacity

Typical Demand Calculations

Installation Size	Assumed Diversity	Recommended Supply
Up to 25 pitches	40%	100A 3-phase
25-50 pitches	35%	200A 3-phase
50-100 pitches	30%	400A 3-phase
Over 100 pitches	25%	Multiple supplies

Distribution Architecture

Incoming Supply

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Main Switchboard

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Sub-Distribution Boards (per area)

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Individual Pitch Supplies

Installation Options

Underground Cabling

The preferred method for permanent installations:

Aspect	Specification
Cable type	SWA (Steel Wire Armoured)
Burial depth	500mm (600mm under roads)
Bedding	50mm sand below and above
Marking tape	Warning tape above cable
Route marking	Cable markers at key points

Cost estimate: £40-80 per linear metre installed

Surface-Mounted Systems

For temporary or flexible installations:

• Armoured cable on posts
• Cable protection where crossing paths
• Higher visibility but less aesthetic
• Easier to modify/extend

Cost estimate: £25-50 per linear metre installed

Bollard and Post Options

Installation Configurations

Type	Description	Cost per Pitch
Single socket bollard	One 16A outlet	£150-250
Twin socket bollard	Two 16A outlets	£200-350
Service bollard	Electric + water + waste	£400-700
Metered bollard	With sub-meter	£250-400
Premium pillar	Multiple services, lighting	£600-1,200

Material Options

Material	Pros	Cons	Lifespan
GRP (fibreglass)	Lightweight, no corrosion	UV degradation	15-20 years
Stainless steel	Durable, premium look	Higher cost	25+ years
Galvanised steel	Cost-effective	Can corrode	15-20 years
Powder-coated steel	Good appearance	Chip damage	15-20 years

Metering Considerations

Why Sub-Meter?

Billing Method	Pros	Cons
Inclusive (flat rate)	Simple admin	Subsidises high users
Metered (actual use)	Fair, encourages conservation	Admin complexity
Hybrid	Base rate + excess	Balance of both

Metering Technology

System Type	Cost per Pitch	Features
Manual read meters	£30-60	Basic, staff reading required
Prepayment meters	£150-250	Guest self-service
Smart meters	£200-400	Remote reading, real-time data
Cloud-connected	£250-450	Full automation, analytics

EV Charging Integration

Adding EV Capability

Approach	Description	Cost Addition
Shared charging points	Central location	£2,000-8,000 per charger
Pitch-integrated 3kW	Slow charge at pitch	£100-200 per pitch
Pitch-integrated 7kW	Standard home charge rate	£300-500 per pitch
22kW fast chargers	Dedicated EV bays	£5,000-15,000 per unit

Infrastructure Planning

• Assess supply capacity for EV load
• Consider diversity (not all charge simultaneously)
• Plan cable routes for future expansion
• Choose open-protocol chargers

Project Planning

Installation Timeline

Phase	Duration	Activities
Design	2-4 weeks	Survey, specification, quotations
DNO application	4-12 weeks	If supply upgrade needed
Groundworks	1-4 weeks	Trenching, ducting, backfill
Electrical first fix	1-2 weeks	Cabling, distribution
Bollard installation	1-2 weeks	Mounting, connections
Testing and commissioning	2-5 days	Certification

Contractor Selection

Requirements for your electrical contractor:

• NICEIC or NAPIT registered
• Experience with caravan park installations
• BS 7671 Section 708 knowledge
• Appropriate insurance coverage
• References from similar projects

Cost Recovery

Pricing Electric

Approach	Rate Example	Recovery Method
Pitch rate inclusive	£0/kWh visible	Built into pitch fee
Metered at cost	£0.28/kWh	Actual cost pass-through
Metered with margin	£0.35-0.45/kWh	Cost recovery + margin
Flat daily rate	£4-8/day	Simple, guaranteed

Payback Calculations

50-pitch installation example:

Item	Cost
Installation	£35,000
Annual revenue (metered at £0.35, avg 8kWh/day, 180 days)	£25,200
Annual electricity cost	£12,600
Net annual income	£12,600
Payback period	2.8 years

Maintenance and Testing

Periodic Inspection

Test Type	Frequency	Performed By
Visual inspection	Monthly	Site staff
RCD function test	3-monthly	Site staff
Electrical inspection	12 months (public)	Qualified electrician
Full EICR	5 years	Registered contractor

Common Issues to Monitor

• Socket damage from misuse
• RCD nuisance tripping
• Water ingress into enclosures
• Cable damage from ground movement
• Overloading (kettle + heater + AC)

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