Club 80-90 Forums

Off to France at the end of the month.
Will the UK hookup lead be OK to just plug straight in ?
Or is there something else I need to do to make it work safely in France ?

See:
https://club8090.co.uk/forum/viewtopic.php?t=20842

Be aware that up to 6 amps is the norm on some older French sites, so don't take your microwave or high wattage kettle.

If you are lucky you may get a 10amp supply, the bigger the amperage, the more the French will charge you.

Don't expect, or ask, for 13amps or they will look at you as if you are from another planet.

Tex Ritter

I tend not to use mains, I run on 12v and gas.
I believe thought that in France the hookup is either a 2pin plug affair or in some cases the same blue socket we have here.
Therefore an adapter may be required.
A word of warning, it is worth checking the polarity of the supply and also the earth. This can be done easily with a plug in tester available from many DIY stores.
If the polarity is reversed this could mean that circuit protective devices on your circuits may not operate properly, eg mcbs (trips) will be on the neutral. If a switch is off, a fuse blown etc. any cables and will still contain live conductors!
This can be dealt with in three ways:
1. You could take two adapters, one of them wired to reverse the polarity. (be worth marking these so you know which is which)
2. You could be prepared to reverse the polarity of your plug if necessary (simple enough, (but if you are young enough to never have bought an appliance without a plug on it, this could present a challenge)
3. You have to be prepared not to use the supply if the polarity is reversed.

“
• Be careful with electric hook-ups. Follow the correct procedure for connecting and
disconnecting your caravan from the supply (see the Sites Directory & Handbook) and
arrange the cable to avoid trip hazards. Voltage on most sites is usually 220v nominal but
can be less. Most UK 240v appliances are rated at 220v - 240v and usually work
satisfactorily. You will need your mains lead that you use in the UK. You may need a
continental 2-pin adaptor (available from most UK caravan dealers), although many sites
will have the European standard connectors (CEE17) which your UK 3-pin connector will fit.
• Sometimes the problem of reverse polarity is found. This is where the site supply's 'live'
line connects to the caravan's 'neutral' and vice versa and is due to different standards of
plug and socket wiring that exist in other countries. We therefore recommend checking
the polarity immediately on connection, using a polarity tester, also available from caravan
dealers before you leave.
• The caravan mains electrical installation should not be used whilst a reversed polarity
situation exists. Ask the site manager if you can use an alternative socket or bollard, as
the problem may be restricted to that particular socket only. Frequent travelers to the
continent who are electrically competent often make themselves up an adaptor, clearly
marked reversed polarity with the live and neutral wires reversed. This can be tried in
place of the standard connector, to see if the electricity supply then reverts to 'normal'.
A Mains Electricity leaflet with further information is available from the Travel Service
Information Officer at The Club. “

Taken from

http://www.caravanclub.co.uk/NR/rdonlyr ... mation.pdf


Andy

Generally, in my experience the standard connection we use in the UK is ok, however I have had to use the 2 pin French adaptor (90 degree) in closed boxes, Never had a problem with polarity.
Remember that you are travelling in the continent and the availability of these camping accessories are more than likely available in the local supermarche.
I have never had a problem with ampage I use small cooker, kettle, lights, fridge, the list is endless