Reversed Polarity - do not use when lit

[DeanButler]

Hi.

Just been away for the w/end in the van at a UK campsite. Electrics were all fine on the van until I believe we plugged in too many appliances (heater and kettle). School boy error I know. The electrics didn't trip out but the little orange light stating "Polarity reversed. Do not use when lit" came on (only lights up when something is plugged in and switched on). I tried switching all the switches etc and disconnecting external leads but no joy.
Strange that all was fine and then it got reversed.

Any suggestions? Do I now need to constantly use a Polarity Reversal lead?

Dean

[1664]

What exactly says "Polarity reversed. Do not use when lit"?

Reverse polarity does not just happen by itself; are you sure the circuits are still 'live' and the electrics didn't trip?

[ghost123uk]

Hi Dean

Yes, what says this ?

I take it the heater and kettle were mains (as in used on a hook up) ?

Do I now need to constantly use a Polarity Reversal lead?

NO !! (can you get such a thing) if we are talking mains here, then strictly there is no such thing as "polarity" (being "AC") but it could be that a clever circuit in your vans mains circuit has detected that a mains hook up cable, or an internal mains cable / socket is either faulty or wired up incorrectly, (as in a "live" and "neutral" reversed).

[Cruz]

NO !! (can you get such a thing) if we are talking mains here,.

You can buy reverse polarity hookup adaptors on ebay

[AdrianC]

Do I now need to constantly use a Polarity Reversal lead?

NO !! (can you get such a thing) if we are talking mains here, then strictly there is no such thing as "polarity" (being "AC") but it could be that a clever circuit in your vans mains circuit has detected that a mains hook up cable, or an internal mains cable / socket is either faulty or wired up incorrectly, (as in a "live" and "neutral" reversed).

Caravanners love 'em, and are convinced that Johnny Foreigner can't be trusted with anything more sparky than an AA battery. I've lost count of the number of times I've been told that we're risking life, limb and sanity by not having one and religiously checking every campsite socket we plug into.

The fact that our internal socket's a Euro-style where things can be plugged in either way round seems to be more than their pretty little heads can cope with.

It kinda makes sense if you think about UK plugs, where the live is switched and fused, and the Neutral just follows along, but I'm in the firm "Can't be arsed" camp.

[ghost123uk]

Cheers for the explanation Adrian

And I agree, does seem like a (fairly pointless) can of worms for those who don't know what they are doing !

[DentedDevon]

Hi.

Just been away for the w/end in the van at a UK campsite. Electrics were all fine on the van until I believe we plugged in too many appliances (heater and kettle). School boy error I know. The electrics didn't trip out but the little orange light stating "Polarity reversed. Do not use when lit" came on (only lights up when something is plugged in and switched on). I tried switching all the switches etc and disconnecting external leads but no joy.
Strange that all was fine and then it got reversed.

Any suggestions? Do I now need to constantly use a Polarity Reversal lead?

Dean

The reverse polarity light is very simple , it is a neon light connected between neutral and earth.
As well as lighting up when live and neutral are reversed it also lights up if neutral is lost or faulty.

So back to basics , it sounds like you have a fault with neutral.
make a visual check of the pins on the hook up lead plugs and the connector on the van, you are looking for burning and pitting.
If the pins look ok then dismantle the hook up plugs and check all the connections are clean and tight.
If they are ok then next check needs to be the connections in the back of the vans connector.
Finally if still no joy move to the consumer unit and check the connections in there as well.

Once or twice I have come across a faulty breaker with a high resistance across one pair of contacts.

Hope this helps