Electric hook up on german van polarity ?

Post by **sternal** » 12 Sep 2013, 22:22

Is the ehu socket ready to go on the van (from germany) or is the polarity going to be the other way round ? or am I talking /thinking cr8p ?

Post by **nobbyfox** » 13 Sep 2013, 06:11

If you are talking about the circular 3 pin connector on the side of your van then it's the same as Uk.
I have a westy and have not changed the plug or electrics and have used my bus in Europe.
Is it a new vehicle?

Steve

Post by **sternal** » 13 Sep 2013, 06:23

Hi

Is it a new vehicle?

its not a new bus conversion was carried out about 9 yrs ago.

Is it France where the polarity is the other way round ? or again am i talking cods wallop ?

cheers Steve

Post by **nobbyfox** » 13 Sep 2013, 07:00

I am not sure about French electrics. It can't be that different from us.

Steve

Post by **AdrianC** » 13 Sep 2013, 07:34

Ignore all this "reverse polarity" shed-dragger ballcocks. The circuit breaker cuts both live and neutral in the event of an issue, and there's a reason AC stands for "Alternating current"...

Remember, the European 2-pin plugs can be inserted into a socket either way round...

Post by **sternal** » 13 Sep 2013, 08:06

The circuit breaker cuts both live and neutral in the event of an issue

not sure its got a circuit breaker ! or is that built in at the campsite

so in a word i'm okay to use it !

Post by **AdrianC** » 13 Sep 2013, 08:17

sternal wrote:not sure its got a circuit breaker !

Then fit one, SHARPISH.

or is that built in at the campsite

There _should_ be one in the hookup at the site, but do you implicitly trust every site you might visit?

Post by **sternal** » 13 Sep 2013, 08:27

that's a good plan as I don't know the history/electrics of the van

easy to fit ? any chance you could post a link of what I might be looking for van wise ? (obviously I know what a circuit breaker is !)

Post by **AdrianC** » 13 Sep 2013, 08:36

sternal wrote:easy to fit ?

Just sits between the hook-up and any internal mains electrics. Without wanting to appear sarcastic or rude, if you need to ask more than that, it might be as well for you to consult an electrically competent friend.

any chance you could post a link of what I might be looking for van wise ? (obviously I know what a circuit breaker is !)

Any camper/motorhome/boat/caravan parts supplier will have 'em. Or a quick fleaBay shows a bunch of sources for £30ish.

Post by **ringo** » 13 Sep 2013, 08:38

I checked the polarity of every hookup I had in France and it was a mixed bag of polarity.

Of the six campsites I used all of them supported the three pin round plug. Shame the polarities were reversed on half of them.

Ringo

Post by **bigherb** » 13 Sep 2013, 08:39

Check your connections in the socket are connected the right way round Live to Live, Neutral to Neutral, Earth to Earth. It has been known on the continent for the polarity to be reversed.
AC voltage the neutral cable is grounded at he power/substation in theory you shouldn't get a shock off the neutral it should have the same potential difference as the earth. As we normally use single pole switching on the live cable at the sockets then any appliance switched off only has the same potential difference as the earth if the polarity is wrong then the appliance is still live.

Post by **sternal** » 13 Sep 2013, 09:00

Without wanting to appear sarcastic or rude, if you need to ask more than that, it might be as well for you to consult an electrically competent friend.

not at all I didn't know that a unit existed like that. cheers

Post by **sternal** » 13 Sep 2013, 09:09

something like this

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/IN-LINE-RCD-C ... 2028wt_932

Post by **nobbyfox** » 13 Sep 2013, 09:25

Does you van have an internal plug? If so then there should be a circuit breaker build in for safety.
My Westy has one just under the domestic plug - 16A i believe.

Steve

Post by **sternal** » 13 Sep 2013, 09:29

I will take a picture later of fuse box etc

thanks so far

Club 80-90 Forums