Frequently Asked Questions

“A” is the abbreviation for Amperes (“amps”) which is the unit for measuring electric current. If you multiply Amperes (A) and Volts (V) you get total power which is expressed in Watts (W).

As most domestic appliances use a constant 240V you need to supply more current (A) to keep to get more power. The more current goes through a wire, the hotter it becomes. Fuses and breakers are put into circuits to protect the wiring from having too much current flowing through them. If this protection is not in place, then the wires can get hot enough to cause a fire.

A Residual Current Device is an extremely fast acting switch that cuts the power when it detects a difference in the power going into the circuit against the power coming back out. If a difference is detected then the RCD trips almost instantly as the power must have found a way to go somewhere else other then back to the supply. This path may be through a faulty appliance, faulty wiring, or at worst – through you! These devices have saved countless lives by cutting the electricity supply before it can cause severe damage. An RCD does not sense overload (i.e. total amount of power drawn) which is why Ampfibian does both.

Please note that RCDs do not offer protection when used with isolated supplies like small generators or inverters.

Modern caravans and RVs draw more power and are more dependent on electricity than ever before. You only need to have your air conditioner running and pop something in the microwave to overload your powerpoint. That’s why RVs and caravans are connected to 15A circuits.

If you are connecting a 15A RV/caravan/tool to a 10A outlet by illegally modifying an extension lead, then you are breaking the law as this contravenes standards governing mains voltage equipment. This may jeopardise insurance claims for damage caused by using an illegal connection method.

Illegally modified 15A leads are referred to as “death-leads” for a reason.

You can buy power boards that provide overload protection. They are “for indoor use only” and they don’t have 15A outlets: they are illegal for use with caravans and RVs.

The RV02-MAX provides weather proofing to IP55, has a cleat which stops the lead being pulled out, and it has a hook that allows it to be hung up. The orange safety colour also warns people not to step on it or drive over it.

Yes you can. You will have to pay for an electrician which (usually) costs more than an Ampfibian, but the real downside is that you can’t take it with you. Being portable allows you to hook it up at other places that don’t have dedicated 15A outlets.

Individual 10A power outlets are rated at 10A, but the breaker/fuse connected to the outlet is rated at 20A. This is because there are always several outlets connected to one fuse/breaker (this is called a circuit). It is therefore possible to draw 20A through a single power outlet without triggering a breaker/fuse.

Yes, all Ampfibians comply to Australian Standards!

The Ampfibian RV-02MAX and the Industrial Range are approved under AS/NZS 3190:2011 “Approval and test specification – Residual current devices (current-operated earth-leakage devices)” which includes portable RCDs, and their use complies with AS/NZS 3001:2008/Amdt 1:2012 “Electrical Installations – Portable structures and vehicles including their site supplies” which covers caravans, campers and motor homes. The MAX is also approved for member use by the “Campervan & Motorhome Club of Australia Ltd” (CMCA).

The Ampfibian MINI is approved under AS/NZS 3190:2011, but its use does not comply with the recommendations of AS/NZS3001:2008, making the MAX the safest, most compliant and flexible option for outdoor RV and caravan use.

There is a lot of mis-information about how various Australian Standards apply to caravans/RVs, extension lead lengths and capacities, portable RCDs, weatherproofing, impact resistance. After years of close consultation with standards experts and approval authorities, we can categorically state that the RV02-MAX is the safest, most compliant way to connect your 15A RV/caravan to a 10A power supply in Australia in any situation.

The MAX and the Industrial Range carry a H-Class rating, allowing them to be used commercially on work sites in construction, mining and other industries.

Caravan/RV: If you have connected your RV/caravan’s 15A circuit to your home without using an Ampfibian or a designated 15A power point and overload the circuit, it may cause a fire. As it is illegal to directly connect a 15A caravan/RV to a 10A domestic socket, it will also invalidate your insurance.

Work-site: Using an illegally modified lead to connect a 15A welder, grinder, cutter or drill to a site’s 10A supply can cause damage and delays. Use of illegal equipment invalidates insurance cover and will lead to immediate ejection from the site when discovered. Don’t risk it.

All Ampfibians adapt devices from 15A to 10A, include an overload protection breaker, and an R.C.D.

The MINI is an indoor, undercover adaptor for the D.I.Y home handyman and workshop. It is most frequently used with welders.

The RV-PLUS is exclusively designed and made for travellers to connect their caravan/RV/camper-trailers to normal 10A outlets. It is completely weatherproof and meets all applicable Australian Standards.

The MAX is the extra-tough, weatherproof adaptor for trades and construction. It has a H-Class (heavy-duty) rating making it suitable for commercial use. It is also the premium adaptor for travellers… if you’ve got to have the best.

The Ampfibian RV02-MAX is weatherproof and has a H-Class rating (IP55 weatherproofing and IK08 impact rating) for commercial use on work-sites.

It allows you to safely and legal connect 15A loads (welders, drills, cutters, etc.) to 10A power supplies on commercial and industrial sites. The MAX is also the safest way to connect a 15A caravan or RV to a 10A domestic outlet.

Many trade tools are designed to be connected to dedicated 15A power outlets. Most of these tools will operate with a 10A supply (though some may not reach the full duty cycle). An Ampfibian connected between the supply and the load is like a limiting switch, keeping the maximum amount of power t0 10A.

Ampfibians offer the following benefits:
– Overload protection for equipment and wiring (circuit breaker)
– Personal protection with integrated RCD (Residual Current Device)
– More connection options (flexibility, convenience, greater productivity)
– Workplace safety compliance (they are certified, registered and controlled articles)

There are nine products in the Ampfibian Industrial Range, allowing 10A or 15A devices to be directly connected to 15A-50A single, or three phase sockets.

Don’t risk using illegally modified equipment on work sites. It creates a hazardous electrical environment, can invalidate insurance, and will get you kicked off the site for those reasons.

The Ampfibian RV02-MAX is the safest way to connect an RV or caravan to a standard /domestic 10A power supply.

Caravans and RVs are designed to be connected to dedicated 15A power outlets like those provided in caravan parks. The appliances inside the van will operate happily below 10A, but the current draw increases as more appliances (air conditioner, fridge, hairdryer, lights, etc.) are switched on.

An Ampfibian connected between the supply and the van acts like a limiting switch, keeping the maximum amount of power to 10A, protecting the house’s electrical circuit.

The Ampfibian offers:
– Overload protection for equipment and wiring (10A circuit breaker)
– Personal protection with integrated RCD (Residual Current Device)
– More connection options (home, friend’s place, showground, camp site, etc.)
– Regulatory compliance (they are certified, registered and controlled articles)

Storing the units without sealing them allows the seals to recover their shape properly, and allows any trapped moisture to escape.

To seal up to IP55 – jets of water – requires firm pressure around the leads, which can be a bit tough for smaller hands. Closing and latching just one side at the time can help.

The units are tough and robust, but only for temporary use. If allowed to sit for too long in the same position, the seals may be compromised. They are designed for use with power tools, connecting a market stall, or at a campsite, and are meant to be disconnected and stored away after use. To seal connections longer term or permanently, there are special joiners available from trade dealers. These generally involve potting the connection and rely on screw-assembled housings.

Differences in temperature and humidity between the inside of the housing and the outside (e.g. sitting in direct sunlight, getting splashed with cold water, etc.) allows moisture to deposit on the walls of the X1/X2s. This is normal and no cause for alarm. there should never be more than a few drops inside the units. If there is more water in there, disconnect lead from power supply, open unit and inspect seal for damage.