We've the same opinion as MartyM - we never knew 'reverse polarity' existed until I read it on here. I'm sure, technically, that there is an explanation - but like MartyM I can't understand why that there is never anything mentioned on campsites. If Brits were being electrocuted in large numbers by plugging into 'reverse' hook-ups then as he says, surely there would have to be 'Santes et Securite' notices about it plastered over every hook-up bollard.
I also keep wondering why, if it's a problem, that it doesn't affect hotel travellers, or those with houses in France, or people staying in Gites - only, apparently, caravanners.
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Val, as far as I know the issue was when all electrical stuff was built in metal cases which were earthed. In UK, they didn't switch the neutral wire because it was assumed to be somewhere close to earth voltage. That meant that if the earth to your metal box fell off (you wouldn't normally know about this) and the line & neutral were wrong way round, then the metal case could rise to a voltage big enough to give you a shock.
In these days of plastics & double insulation I can't see the problem.
Thanks for all the info. Now One last question for you all with a YES or a NO should I worry about this reverse polarity problem then? . Bearing in mind I have a 2004 lunar chateau 500.
Worry ? No worries. Commonsense ? If I am going to plug my gear into a supply of which I have no knowledge, I am going to use my tester 1 st. No tech knowledge necessary the plug stays in a switched socket and gets switched on to check when we arrive on site. Reversed polarity ? Easy I bought a reverisng adaptor. Anything else amiss don't pay for the supply, and don't user it.
It's easy to say that no one has any problems these days, well maybe we are very unlucky, but the number of times we have had people on the same power tower as us who either blow the o/loads, or fuses or both, and when we plug in our tester we find there is a wiring fault.
On more rural sites, it would not be the first time that we have found supplies without earth connection. Modern vans have all sorts of fancy switch protections which are better than a bit of fuse wire ever was, but for the cost of a tester, I definitely don't worry, but I do use common sense.
FM
Don't forget to leave a review of the French and other European campsites you have visited!
We had an unusual experience in this country with faulty site wiring at a site near York.
When our friend was winding down his legs with a hand winder he jumped! I went over to investigate and touched the winder but felt nothing, I then knealt down (was in my shorts) and went to carry on winding and got a shock literally!!! the whole van was live.
He had a tester but hadnt bothered to use it.
So I dont think that reverse polarity is the problem we think, but faulty wiring in general can be a problem.
Anyway, its up to individual choice, I dont have one and dont intend buying one because I would a. lose it or b. forget to use it and c. cant be bothered! but I can understand those who would want to use one.
Can I try to explain,on the Continenet it is common to use double pole switching i.e. both phase (live) and neutral are switched making reversed polarity something of a non issue because on switch off both lines are disconnected, here in the UK we use single pole switching for the main part, only the live is switched, so if polarity is reversed then when the appliance is switched off it will cease to operate but will remain very much "live" even though it has stopped working! if you want toFaff about and ignore reversed polarity fair do's, but in 50 years as an electrician I can tell you that I have on numerous occasions seen apprentices thrown the lenghth of a room due to neutrals beingswitched ( exactly ther same scenario as reversed polarity) and even had first hand experiance of one fatality due to the same set of circumstances,do what you like, but me, I ALWAYS test for reversed polarity and correct where necessary.
Amazing family weekend with old steam engines, classic car displays, market stalls, and full catering and bar. And camping on site - Save £25 by booking in advance.
Topic: First Time abroad
