Forestboy

Can someone explain what reversed polarity is all about in terms a layman who knows nothing about electrics will understand because I have'nt got a clue.

What is it?
How do you know its reversed?
What will it do if it is reversed?
What do you do about it?

Sorry if these questions seem dumb but its something I constantly here about and if you don't ask you don't know.

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"Cheers" Ror
Don't wait for your ship to come in, Swim out and meet the thing.
Barry Sheene 1950 / 2003

johnsandywhite

Reversed Polarity is when the Live and Nuetral are reversed.
Other than testing it? There is no easy way to find out if it is reversed.
Nothing. AC is Alternating current. ALL the appliances don't give a damn if you have reversed polarity.
What to do about it? If you are concerned about it? Make up a reversed polarity lead.

The only time when it would really cause problems is with the ECD tripping if the Nuetral and Earth were tied in together. Which they quite often are. There is no REAL earth on a Motorhome/RV. If the Nuetral and earth WERE tied together and it was raining. You MAY get a tingle/shock if you touched a part of the Body that was in contact with the earth.

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Road Runner

It simple reverse positive to negative (just reverse the the leads into your socket)

You can buy a plug that you put in and it will tell you if you need to do it Mains Polarity Tester Plug SEE HERE

I made up a short power lead to add into the main power lead with the wires reversed.

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2 Great Danes (Amy & Bruno)

www.cwmcuttan.com

Geo

Just as Jw says theres nothing realy to get excited about, other than to be aware of it, and the reason you should be aware is,just to expand on the subject, if any repairs or testing are carried out with the leccy still on, metal parts ie frames etc normaly earthed, can be live when an appliance is opend up for inspection or repair, if your not sure of what Reverse polarity is, you should'nt be working on appliances with the power on or off
Geo

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Forestboy

Thanks guys I'll get a tester and lead
Then I'll want to know how to use and read it

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"Cheers" Ror
Don't wait for your ship to come in, Swim out and meet the thing.
Barry Sheene 1950 / 2003

olley

We like to think our electrical systems in this country are the bees knees, but in actual fact the continentals have got it right, they switch live and neutral using double pole switches, us cheap skate British only switch the live because single pole switches are cheaper.

The result is that it doesn't matter a hoot to them which way the polarity is, but can possibly matter to us, most people ignore it and never have any trouble, same as uncoiling your wire, its a myth that 3 core coiled wire heats up because of electromagnetic interaction with other wire, all wire heats up as current is passed through it, and as long as this heat can be dissipated it doesn't matter if its coiled or not. So yes if you have it tightly packed on a reel unwind it, then lay it on the ground in loose coils if you want to be tidy, and it will be fine.

Olley

pappajohn

testers are self explanitory, ror.
usualy 3 leds, all lit all ok.
any 1 or more out the tester has an explaination note under each light ie-
no earth, no neutral, reversed ect. dead easy to use.
if their all unlit you forgot to hook-up or turn the power on.

caravan club also recommend turning the RCD off at the fuse board before hookup but i cant figure out why.

john.

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MERRY CHRISTMAS ONE AND ALL

G2EWS

Olley is correct the only major problem with coiled wire is the heat will be contained.

I have installed two electric heaters in the roof of a new seating area in my garden with a temporary extension lead going down the garden as I am waiting for some underground cable to be installed. Over Christmas we were all sat outside with the heaters on and I picked up the extension lead all coiled up. It was so hot it burnt my fingers!

Needless to say I chastised myself for being so foolish. For those that don't know I am an electronics engineer and should know better!

Regards

Chris

Elaine Downes

Thanks 4 the tip...
Dont fancy my hair like a fried wire!