OK, I have my mains tester [Towsure] which has 3 pin uk setup. I assume to test the polarity in the first place this mains tester has to be plugged into a 2 pin adapter.
I bought 2 French EHU adaptors [the 2 pin type from Towsure] and have reversed one of them on the Blue end and clearly marked it.
Have I missed anything. This is the one item of our trip that's driving me nuts.
Thanks for any help.
RSM
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We just plug the adaptor into one of the sockets in the van, and then when we plug the mains in at the bollard you can see instantly if you need to reverse the polarity...
You have missed something----to become a full member of the (seemingly exclusive to this forum) reverse polarity club you will also need a blue/white cee plug & socket joined by a short length of cable connected the reverse way round--in case the reversed French site has the normal blue/white sockets----
------------- Every day should be a holiday!
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For those of us with continental vans with two-pin sockets, it's easy. (Please correct me if I've missed anything here). Plug the three pin polarity tester into a two-pin adapter, then plug both into your van's socket. If all three light up (i.e. no reversed polarity), all well and good. If the polarity's reversed, simply turn the appliance plug 180 degrees (i.e plug it in upside down).
Sorted!
Cheers,
John
------------- There's a feeling I get when I look to the West,
And my spirit is crying for leaving.
As frequently stated in endless reverse polarity threads it only effects uk vans not continental ones so you shouldnt need to worry about revese polarity(possibly)if have a German made one--to confuse the issue further if German sockets are the same as Dutch sockets it is possible(unlike French sockets) to put your uk plug adaptor into the socket either way round as the earth contacts are on the side not a central pin--& dont presume just because you have plugged uk plug/continental adaptor into your German socket uk style ie with wire pointing down it will be correct in relation to the German socket as regards reverse polarity----ie your polarity may be reversed when you think it aint------confused?--weer gettin there---
Quote: Originally posted by billy on 12/6/2007
As frequently stated in endless reverse polarity threads it only effects uk vans not continental ones so you shouldnt need to worry about revese polarity(possibly)if have a German made one
Are you sure about this? Surely it's the appliance that's being used and not the vehicle's equipment.
Quote: --to confuse the issue further if German sockets are the same as Dutch sockets it is possible(unlike French sockets) to put your uk plug adaptor into the socket either way round as the earth contacts are on the side not a central pin
Yes, I just said that.
Quote: --& dont presume just because you have plugged uk plug/continental adaptor into your German socket uk style ie with wire pointing down it will be correct in relation to the German socket as regards reverse polarity----ie your polarity may be reversed when you think it aint
Why not? If I plug my UK appliance in 'upside down', i.e. with the earth pin downwards, that surely re-reverses (i.e. 'corrects' the polarity? (Assuming I've diagnosed the original reversed polarity correctly).
I think the confusion my lie with you.
------------- There's a feeling I get when I look to the West,
And my spirit is crying for leaving.
Jimmy Page/Robert Plant
1971
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---uk made appliances are the same as those sold on the continent--they all have the CE mark they are double isulated, the only difference is the plug---if you have a German van why should you have to check for reverse polarity? the Germans dont--the only possible danger(& then only if your appliance is faulty) that has been Identified is uk switched sockets as installed in uk vans--not German ones---the whole point(the tounge in cheek one)I was makin in my last post is that all these reverse polarity threads do is to confuse people with no electrical knowledge--they start altering wires & put themselves in more danger than they would be if they just left well alone & just plugged into the French campsite hookup--If their electrical gear is in good condition & suitable for camping use they will be in no danger--
Fair point about not confusing people with no electrical knowledge. I personally don't bother checking these days, as I have enough sense to unplug an appliance before working on it. However, my camping kettle, for example, is not double insulated (it has conventional live/neutral/earth wiring). Unless I still misunderstand the situation, I can still plug this in to my socket so that the live and neutral pins are transposed, compared to the UK supply, and there is a potential danger if someone messed around with the kettle while it was plugged in. If, after having ascertained that the polarity is in fact reversed, I then plug in 'upside down', the polarity then matches the UK appliance, and the (admittedly small) potential danger is completely removed.
N'est ce pas?
------------- There's a feeling I get when I look to the West,
And my spirit is crying for leaving.
Might be an idea to buy a new kettle---get one when you next go to France & it will have the right plug--I got kettle & fan heater from the Auchan to use in my Eriba without adaptors--cheap enough--
------------- Every day should be a holiday!
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Topic: Polarity stuff [Again..]
Thanks Nick.
