Leisure Electrics
What is a Mains Hook-Up (EHU) & RCD?
The campsite lead that brings normal 230V power straight into the van.
Simplified animation — not to scale.
In plain English
Plug into a campsite's electric hook-up point and a proper mains socket inside the van gives you 'real' 230V power — for the mains sockets, battery charger and sometimes the water heater — instead of relying on the leisure battery.
How it works
A blue site cable connects to an inlet socket on the van's exterior, which feeds an onboard consumer unit with its own RCD (a safety trip) and MCBs, protecting you exactly like the fuse box at home.
Signs of trouble
- ⚠RCD trips repeatedly — often a wet connection or a faulty appliance
- ⚠No power at all — check the campsite bollard, then your own trip switches
- ⚠Warm or melted-looking hook-up plug — stop using it and get it checked
Rough UK cost
£120 – £300 to fit a hook-up inlet and consumer unit.
Ballpark only — depends on your van, converter and local labour rates.
Heads up: CamperAutonomy is for general guidance only. Anything gas-related must be signed off by a Gas Safe engineer with LPG endorsement.
More in Leisure Electrics
Leisure Battery
The separate battery that runs your lights, water pump and fridge — without you ever waking up to a dead engine.
Split Charge Relay / B2B Charger
The clever switch that sends spare engine power to your leisure battery as you drive.
Battery Monitor
The little screen (or app) that tells you how much power you actually have left.