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I went to france last year with my tent EHU and an adaptor to convert it to a french 2 (or 3 I cant remember) pin socket.  I had never heard of reversed polarity and alarmed to read on these sights that this exists and could be a safety issue.

Have now got a caravan (to my knowledge my oldie van doesnt have a tester in it) please can anyone tell me what this r p is all about and what I do about it?

Thanks, Christine

it means the live is in place of the neutral and vice versa  if you have something plugged in with a swich it means that the neutral will be switched off leaving the device constantly live so you must unplug when finished or get something that is dual swiched

your caravan rcd will be dual swiched

Quote: Originally posted by sweetrunninggir on 06/7/2006

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I went to france last year with my tent EHU and an adaptor to convert it to a french 2 (or 3 I cant remember) pin socket.  I had never heard of reversed polarity and alarmed to read on these sights that this exists and could be a safety issue.

Have now got a caravan (to my knowledge my oldie van doesnt have a tester in it) please can anyone tell me what this r p is all about and what I do about it?

Thanks, Christine

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Christine

Have a look here http://www.davidklyne.co.uk/frencheuropeanelectric.htm it explains everything and what you need.

David

It isn't really a major problem in the UK, certainly not on newer electrical installations.  It can be a problem on older appliances, especially with an earth wire (most products you'd take camping would not be earthed).  There is a possibility that in the event of a fault the fuse in the plug may not blow & the casing could become live.  Modern appliances & "fuse boxes" have double pole switching & circuit breakers that would cut off both live & neutral in the event of a fault - say water in the system or a cut wire.

In Europe, where the domestic plugs can fit the sockets either way around, it really isn't a problem.  They have used circuit breakers for years & don't rely on fuses as we do.  Most EHUs have a polarity tester built in (a red light comes on mine if polarity is wrong).  You can get a mains tester - a plug with 3 lights on that will let you know if your hook up does not have an indicator.  For mainland Europe it is worthwhile carrying a short length of lead with a plug & socket on with the polarity reversed. CLEARLY MARK THIS!  Use it to correct the problem if you encounter it abroad. 

Steve.