Reverse polarity... Does it matter ? (1 Viewer)

[Charlie]

Chap On the pitch on the site we moved to today informed me the polarity on this site is reversed,
Now dopey here never checked using the kit he was advised to get.....pillock.

Anyway everything was working fine so I checked and he was right. The lights indicated that neutral and live were reversed.

Everything on the van was working fine but I swapped the wires over anyway checked again and all 3 red lights lit to tell me all is as it should be. I put some red tape over the altered plug to remind me what I've done.

So could this have caused any problems ?

It seems the folk in the next pitch down know about the polarity status on this site but don't care..

Why do the site owners wire this way ? Surely there should be a standard and regulated way ??

All wired as it should be now so safe and sound an everything is working fine.

Just confused ! I will check next time ! After all I asked was advised and daft enough to ignore. Mmmmm,m

 

[Techno]

No

 

[MikeD]

My 2012 Autotrail don't wont to play if the polarity is reversed or if the earth is missing. It just throws a tantrum :0(

^{_{Subscribers  do not see these advertisements}}

 

[hilldweller]

>> Reverse polarity... Does it matter ?

Ye gods, it is estimated 432.1 motorhome owners die of RP every day during the summer.

 

[Charlie]

Could it be this van. Late 2013 Auto Sleeper Kemerton automatically sorts its self out ?

 

[Charlie]

>> Reverse polarity... Does it matter ?

Ye gods, it is estimated 432.1 motorhome owners die of RP every day during the summer.

Really ?
Blimey that's nearly as many as have been gassed and the mythical two grand nicked ?

^{_{Subscribers  do not see these advertisements}}

 

[Southampton]

Doesn't seem to worry my 2012 AT Comanche, everything works okay, I do have a reverse polarity lead so always use it just in case.

 

[DBK]

If you are feeling bored you can search on here for the numerous times this has been discussed.

The answer is: "it depends".

With a modern vehicle you should be fine, less so with older MHs, especially UK ones.

 

[Emmit]

Put your knife in the toaster when you're trying to retrive the toast.
Of course it's switched off, (but still plugged in.)
Does it matter? I hope you're still around to answer that one.

^{_{Subscribers  do not see these advertisements}}

 

[tonyidle]

No

No from me too.

 

[Charlie]

If you are feeling bored you can search on here for the numerous times this has been discussed.

The answer is: "it depends".

With a modern vehicle you should be fine, less so with older MHs, especially UK ones.

Well you must have been bored to answer ?? But thanks all the same ..

 

[Scattycat]

Does it matter?
Only if you are stupid enough to play with the wires while plugged into the mains.
Just like at home. Would you strip down your toaster or electric cooker or any other appliance while it is still plugged in to the mains? Or try and change a light bulb with the power turned on?
Probably not

^{_{Subscribers  do not see these advertisements}}

 

[Candapack]

If you can remember the original Star Trek, you will surely recall a number of situations when, in dire peril and out of options, the cry went out "try reversing the polarity Scotty". Always worked a treat, so I think that answers your question.

 

[pappajohn]

Of course it matters.

With reversed polarity your tv will show programs backwards, your fridge will get hot, your cooker will freeze food, your heater will suck cold air, your lights will be dark and your pump will suck water into your fresh tank.

 

[hilldweller]

Really ?
Blimey that's nearly as many as have been gassed and the mythical two grand nicked ?

Really yes.

But gassing, only 2.3 a day for that.

^{_{Subscribers  do not see these advertisements}}

 

[CandC]

Of course it matters.

With reversed polarity your tv will show programs backwards, your fridge will get hot, your cooker will freeze food, your heater will suck cold air, your lights will be dark and your pump will suck water into your fresh tank.

Phew, I'm glad I've got a gas cooker then!

 

[Rob e Lee]

Out of a matter of interest was this site home or abroad. I've experienced having reversed polarity across the channel many times but never here.

Rob

 

[sdc77]

!won etis ytiralop desrever a no eb yam eW

^{_{Subscribers  do not see these advertisements}}

 

[GeriatricWanderer]

Out of a matter of interest was this site home or abroad. I've experienced having reversed polarity across the channel many times but never here.Rob

There's always a 50/50 chance of RP on the Continent as all their switches are double pole so it doesn't matter which way round plugs/switches are wired there.

 

[Charlie]

There's always a 50/50 chance of RP on the Continent as all their switches are double pole so it doesn't matter which way round plugs/switches are wired there.

Thanks.... At last an explanation.

If I was at home and wired a plug up wrong IE the neutral to live what would happen ?
This is why I asked. If I didn't ask and had left it alone and buggered something up like say an appliance or even someone got a shock I would look pretty silly. Not quite as silly as some of the replies above but I can try harder..

We are in France for the person that asked.

 

[Techno]

At home all switches are in the Live conductor so if you reverse the supply the switches will be in the neutral.
In a motorhome sockets are rarely switched and there are no 230 volt light sockets to stick your finger in.
Your appliances have no idea and will continue as normal

^{_{Subscribers  do not see these advertisements}}

 

[Charlie]

At home all switches are in the Live conductor so if you reverse the supply the switches will be in the neutral.
In a motorhome sockets are rarely switched and there are no 230 volt light sockets to stick your finger in.
Your appliances have no idea and will continue as normal

Thanks.. I now understand

 

[filopastry]

Low voltage ie 12v items sensitive to reverse polarity are fitted with diodes to eliminate the risks of R.P. here in France many electric items have plugs with but 2 prongs, live and neutral as the polarity delivered to the item has no relevance (plug has no earth) A RP situation with a switched plug could be naughty as the switch which would "normally" cut the live would in fact cut the neutral leaving a "live" feed still connected in this situation curly hair could easily result. I believe TV's and such in MH's with transformers to 12v do not suffer from RP as I "think" the transformer resolves these issues within ...... BUT I might be wrong .... but someone will know

 

[Manic]

!won etis ytiralop desrever a no eb yam eW

You must have your computer plugged into the 240v supply in your motorhome then.

^{_{Subscribers  do not see these advertisements}}

 

[Larrynwin]

Phew, I'm glad I've got a gas cooker then!

Oh no you dont, the piezo puts it out

 

[Irishrover]

Low voltage ie 12v items sensitive to reverse polarity are fitted with diodes to eliminate the risks of R.P.

Yes, Thats because low voltage is always DC (Direct Current ) Cant be reversed....Mains voltage is AC ( Alternating Current ) Can be reversed.

 

[GeriatricWanderer]

Oh no you dont, the piezo puts it out

..... and of course, all your light switches are upside down.

^{_{Subscribers  do not see these advertisements}}

 

[Derbyshire wanderer]

It makes no difference to the operation of the appliances. The danger is that should something fail in the appliance when switched off, anything not earthed will be live.
Only an issue if you come into contact with it and become very lively till death!
UK live switching can only be safe if wired correctly.
Just imagine a 240v telly drops on the floor and breaks the casing, switch it off to pick up with the plug still in a it could be half a day out with the undertaker!

 

[hilldweller]

If I was at home and wired a plug up wrong IE the neutral to live what would happen ?

Nothing. It would work as normal but would not be as safe.

 

[tonka]

Even if you bothered to change the wires around, I recon a lot of sites may not even have the earth connected anyway,,!!
I have a plug and socket that will reverse the polarity if wrong way but to be honest dont think I have used it in 5 years..

^{_{Subscribers  do not see these advertisements}}