Electric hook up in europe - Page 4

Decmac · 02-09-2008, 04:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by solitaire woman

Sure this will sound daft to experienced motorhomers,but I'll ask anyway! With regard to electric hook up.
Am going abroad soon and just realised I havent made any provision for the fact my 3 pin plug wont fit abroad!! Am assuming the normal travel adapter isnt what I need, so what do I need? Also am slightly puzzled by this reverse polarity thing, what is it, how do I check it? Do I need a tester, if so where do I get all these things from?
Thanks.

Hello, Just to add a bit of confusion to all this talk about 2/3 pin plugs, I want to ask you all out there the following question. Is it dangerous to use the continental plug outside when it is raining. Some guy said to me when I was in France that you can get enclosed plugs (if you know what I mean) that will not allow rainwater to make contact with the electrical parts. Your thoughts please. Thanks.

pappajohn · 02-09-2008, 07:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Decmac

Hello, Just to add a bit of confusion to all this talk about 2/3 pin plugs, I want to ask you all out there the following question. Is it dangerous to use the continental plug outside when it is raining. Some guy said to me when I was in France that you can get enclosed plugs (if you know what I mean) that will not allow rainwater to make contact with the electrical parts. Your thoughts please. Thanks.

hi decmac,
it probably is but its dangerous to use the uk ones in the rain as well, they will let in water if it gets wet enough.

you can buy "waterproof" enclosures that fit round the plug and socket if two leads are joined together.

buy from caravan shops or at shows.

i just wrap mine in a plastic carrier bag if i have to join two together, unless it rains hard enough to cause standing water/puddles it keeps it dry.

moandick · 02-09-2008, 07:21 PM

Now I am NOT an electrician BUT I ask you - would you put your hand into a bathful of water to collect an electric fire which had fallen into it?

Water conducts electricity - therefore if there is sufficient water on the connection to spread from the electric contacts to your hand position - in my view, you will end up with curly hair

The same goes for wrapping 'joints' or electric plug connections in a plastic bag - overnight you get condensation in the bag, which in turn may touch at least two contacts and either it will blow the fuses or possibly overheat and catch fire.

Maybe you are sensible enough to handle the connections with care but what of the small child who happens to stumble over it or rides their little metal toys over it etc., etc., etc.

pappajohn · 02-09-2008, 07:34 PM

i know what you mean about wrapping plugs Dick, but i'd rather a little bit of condesation than a full blown rain storm on me plug.

unplugging in rain isnt an option either....no more than unplugging my TV aerial in a lighting storm......if the aerial is gonna get hit, the tv's the last thing on my mind.

john.

djchapple · 11-09-2008, 07:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dazzer

The only time it MAY become a problem is if there is a fault on a very old electrical installation with no earths.

:

This is not true. One major and much more serious problem is that, with reversed polarity, the fuse inside the plug is now in the neutral lead and not the live.

This means that if the device takes an overload the fuse will blow but the device will remain live. This is potentially very dangerous.

djchapple · 19-09-2008, 08:27 PM

Please delete, duplicat post.