Quote: Originally posted by Nightrider on 29/5/2010
Quote: Originally posted by paul_M on 29/5/2010
Thanks - however, at that price it's probably cheaper for me to buy another spare battery for the camera!
If it is only Mobile & Camera Chargers that you want to use you may be better getting a cheap 12v > 240V inverter and charging then from the car.?
Yes, that's what we have. Actually the mob isn't that much of a problem - recharges on a fairly short journey - but the camera battery takes 4 hours - we don't drive that far so we're rather dependent on hotel stops or finding a campsite bar or lounge with accessible sockets.
You needn't pay more than £30-40 for a decent hook up set, with 2-3 british type sockets on it, you've got it then. Reverse polarity is more of a problem for service engineers & some flourescent light fittings. I'm an electrician, & it's reckoned that up to 10% of installations in the UK are still running on reverse polarity, I've only found one so far (in about 10yrs) & they knew nothing about it until I told them, while re-wiring the house.
Can I just add a comment on this, last year we stayed on three sites. Having to reverse wires on all three the first and last being wrong way round. I always check using a Martindale checker before plugging anything else into the system.
I have read comments on why bother as most RCDS break on both poles, but this is not the issue electronic systems require the correct orientation. To back this up try putting the batteries in your remote for the TV the wrong way round, I rest my case but if you can afford to take the chance why check.
------------- Life is what you make it ,but what you make could change your life.
Don't forget to leave a review of the French and other European campsites you have visited!
Quote: Originally posted by scott101 on 29/5/2010
Can I just add a comment on this, last year we stayed on three sites. Having to reverse wires on all three the first and last being wrong way round. I always check using a Martindale checker before plugging anything else into the system. I have read comments on why bother as most RCDS break on both poles, but this is not the issue electronic systems require the correct orientation. To back this up try putting the batteries in your remote for the TV the wrong way round, I rest my case but if you can afford to take the chance why check.
Your lack of knowledge of all things electrical borders on the dangerous..& no,...reverse polarity on an AC appliance is not like reversing the batteries on a DC appliance...
So let’s get this correct then ...... according to TENTZ..... The reversing of polarity is insignificant??
Now that is interesting. You are obviously one of these people who claim colour blind electricians are ok!
If polarity doesn’t mater why did in Jan 1st 2005 the UK change is colour code to fall in line with the EU
My use of a simple DC situation was not to detract but to emphasise that electrical safety is imperative. Yes you may never have a problem if you ignore the situation, but why take that risk?
Personally I will keep checking and swapping over the Live and Neutral as required.
------------- Life is what you make it ,but what you make could change your life.
Your suggestion that reversing polarity on AC appliances was in any way the same as reversing polarity on DC appliances reveals a somewhat spectacular lack of knowledge of the whole subject on your part.
Polarity is not an issue with modern AC appliances, they all have have double pole switches, there is no difference btween appliances sold in the UK or the rest of Europe apart from the plugs. German type schuko plugs are not even polarised, they go in the socket either way.
Correcting reverse polarity will not make an unsafe installation safe.
You do whatever you want, but please don't post false, incoherent & misleading imformation on this forum.
Don't forget to leave a review of the French and other European campsites you have visited!
It's only older stuff like old flourescent lights that are effected, & nothing will "blow up" when reversed on an AC installation, it will simply refuse to work. DC (battery run) appliances "CAN" be damaged by reverse polarity, but that's not what we're talking about. It is wise to reverse it, when wrong, but ONLY if you know what you're doing, not think you know, but actually KNOW. I'm a highly qualified & very competent electrician, I've worked on everything from caravans, to factories. My main point was to avoid confusing someone & possibly resulting in them doing something dangerous. Those blue plugs aren't the same as a normal 13amp British plug, & testers are varied (martindale type is the cheapest & easiest, but how many here actually know what a martindale is?!). The site's main panel will have protection, the bollard will have more protection & (hopefully) your EHU will have even more protection, lets leave it there & avoid confusing anyone.
If you wander around most campsites in the evening you'll find any number of 'vans with awnings, complete with table lights or pendant lights hung from the roof poles of awnings (both distinctly not modern appliances) So, if my understanding is correct (and I won't be posting on this topic any more because I'm a bit fed up of being shouted down by others) it would seem prudent to correct any reverse polarity issues that might be found - just in case. I do, and I will continue to do so.
If you have a reverse polarity adapter & reliable test equipment then go right ahead, but it really isn't that necessary, just good practise. I wouldn't advise you to keep taking the plugs apart tho, they aren't designed for it, spend the extra pennies on a new plug & coupler (proper name for a socket on a lead) & half a metre of cable (or pinch a bit from your lead). Just remember it's always good practise to fill as much of the terminal with the copper of the cable as possible (ALWAYS twist strands together & double over if it will fit) & please, please, please make sure the terminal screws are TIGHT (BOTH screws if there are 2, bottom one first & check it has bitten before doing the top one), loose electrical terminals are THE biggest cause of electrical fires (due to arcing).
Sorry, it wasn't me shouting, I always worry when someone says they know nothing (or very little) about electrics & people start confusing them into a possibly dangerous situation.
Reverse polarity is really more of a hazzard for service engineers. & a good electrician (like me) will always check for live on ALL poles before beginning any work anyway, I never take anything for granted.
Just for your information, electricians are all taught that BOTH live & neutral are considered pretty much as equals, on an AC installation. Both are known to be potentially "live" poles & to be treated with equal respect. ("safe isolation" means switching BOTH off!)
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Topic: Electricity on campsites
