Reverse polarity hook up in France

[Roy_5039925]

If you find you have reverse polarity. Is it east to rewire the hook up adapter. It seems to me that the two pin adapter is a sealed unit.

If you do not change the polarity, will it damage our notebook computer? Also will it damage less important kit like kettles, coolboxes, strip lights etc. etc.

Roy

 

[Lutz]

Getting polarity right is only a safety thing because UK caravans are fused only on the live side. Everything will work all right regardless which way round it is connected but you will only get proper safety protection if connected up correctly.

On Continental caravans, the fuse trips both live and neutral so you can use round reversible Continental-type plugs on those without danger to either man or machine.

 

[Roy_5039925]

Thanks for the info Lutz

 

[ThePlotter]

Firstly buy a plug in tester that will tell you if you have reversed polarity.Secondly make a mains lead to reverse it back to what we consider ok,to do this buy the normal blue male and female plug and sockets for a mains lead,then get about 18inches of mains lead wire one of the blue connectors up the correct wat and the other end wire up back to front so that when connected to your mains lead and plugged into the pillar all will be ok,any decent caravan accessory shop should be able to point you in the right direction.Also dont forget to get a 'French type connector' as well.

 

[DeliDave]

I think Lutz means the switches control live and neutral on the continent.With UK switching on reversed polarity the appliance would be switched off but still live as the neutral would have been disconnected.

 

[WatsonJohnG]

They may switch on the van in both live and neutral but the site electrics certainly at a site I visit every year are only fitted with trips in one side (live or neutral

This can be very confusing if using a proximity tester as it may register live but nothing will work because the trip has been installed in the neutral side.

Its worth spending a small amount on a plug in tester

 

[WatsonJohnG]

They may switch on the van in both live and neutral but the site electrics certainly at a site I visit every year are only fitted with trips in one side (live or neutral

This can be very confusing if using a proximity tester as it may register live but nothing will work because the trip has been installed in the neutral side.

Its worth spending a small amount on a plug in tester

Have a look at this link

http://www.ukcampsite.co.uk/chatter/display_topic_threads.asp?ForumID=6&TopicID=42367&PagePosition=2&showActive=10&ReturnPage=Active