Polarity - does it matter? again (2 Viewers)

[Barclaybasher]

Thanks for the replies yesterday, I now understand about double pole switching but..........
I checked polarity on the van on hook up this morning - the tester showed normal.
I made a lead up reversed, neutral into live and put that in line with the HU, went back in the van expecting the tester to show reversed polarity - No showed 'normal'
I have just double-checked the reversed cable - OK
The van is an 04 Burstner is it possible that the van reversed polarity back to normal? - confused
Vic

 

[hilldweller]

The van is an 04 Burstner is it possible that the van reversed polarity back to normal? - confused
Vic

There are automatic switchers, it's possible.

 

[Geo]

oh:

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[aba]

oh:

yup theres always 1

 

[scotjimland]

I know this may sound silly, .. but just checking... Presumably you made up a short lead to reverse the polarity, you didn't have a grey moment and reverse BOTH ends perhaps ?

If not, then you either have an auto polarity change over switch or a duff tester..

 

[Barclaybasher]

I know this may sound silly, .. but just checking... Presumably you made up a short lead to reverse the polarity, you didn't have a grey moment and reverse BOTH ends perhaps ?

If not, then you either have an auto polarity change over switch or a duff tester..

Guilty - Grey moment - thanks - Vic

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[motorhomer]

I understand the theory about why this matters, and the safety argument, but I am still not convinced that there is an issue, at least for me!

My van is a continental -french - van so I think it highly likely that the inbuilt electrics (charger, fridge, boiler) are safe with polarity either way (ie both live and neutral switched).

The mains sockets do not have switches so it doesn't matter for these.

This leaves the appliances themselves. We don't have many, and most (chargers etc) are not designed specifically for british use and will be safe with either polarity.

When appliances are actually in use it doesn't matter about polarity, as others have pointed out with AC.

So for the odd british designed and built appliance that causes concern, just unplug it when not in use (always safest anyway) - I suspect its only very old appliances that have any risk.