If I go and buy an EHU (around £70 from Camperlands), can I use it straight away in France? In other words - do I need anything else as well (converters, adaptors, cuddly toys)?
Paul
Don't forget to leave a review of the French and other European campsites you have visited!
If you do a search of the site for EHU you will find many posts on the subject but briefly you will need a continental 2 pin adaptor and a polarity tester. The mains lead we use in the UK is a CEE17 which is the European standard. However a lot of campsites in France still have the old two pin connectors with a male earth on the bollard. This is why an adaptor is neccessary. Because of the way the Frence organise their electric supplies its not so important to them to have the correct polarity. As most of our appliances rely on switching only on the live side there is a potential danger if there is a fault. Both a polarity tester and 2 pin connector will be available from a caravan accessory shop or perhaps even Camperlands. One other thing just remember that the supply on French sites is usually about 5/6 amps (not enough for a normal domestic kettle) so be careful what appliances you try and use at the same time.
David as summed it up pretty well, a word on the polarity tester if you discover the polarity is reversed then you have to rewire the adaptor (or carry another adaptor with the polarity reversed MAKE sure the reversed adaptor is clearly marked.)
Make sure that you go to a campsite that is up to date with EC EHU's (like our campsite )
Stuart
Just out of interest did you have to instruct the electricians to test your electrics so that they were wired correctly as far as us Brits were concerned? Despite the safeguards and protection they have in place I would have thought that positive is positive and neutral is neutral where ever you are and as they are, I understand introducing new cable colour coding, I can't quite see where it all goes wrong or am I over simplifying the situation!
Quote: Originally posted by David Klyne on 26/06/2005
Make sure that you go to a campsite that is up to date with EC EHU's (like our campsite )
Stuart
Just out of interest did you have to instruct the electricians to test your electrics so that they were wired correctly as far as us Brits were concerned? Despite the safeguards and protection they have in place I would have thought that positive is positive and neutral is neutral where ever you are and as they are, I understand introducing new cable colour coding, I can't quite see where it all goes wrong or am I over simplifying the situation!
David
Hi David
As you know we are the new owners (Nov 04) of Camping De La Touche, the previous owner (also English) had the EHU's installed on our campsite to the current EC reg's - i.e. you DO NOT need to use any adaptors on our campsite.
Please also remember that you would be camping in France - so most campsites are set up for France - not as you say US BRITS
------------- Stuart, Jo & Louis May & Hannah due on 1st Jan' 07
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Topic: EHU in France
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