EHU socket problems (1 Viewer)

[Touchwood]

For some time I've been meaning to sort out my EHU socket on the MH - it has always been a struggle to unplug the cable from the socket and had to be "wiggled" extensively to unplug it, not something I was happy about as inevitably something is going to loosen or break eventually.
I've just taken it all to bits, and found the problem. The earth pin socket is a brass tube with four longitudinal slots in it, on the end of the tube there's a spring steel collar which acts to reduce the diameter of the tube by compressing it and closing up the slots. It seems to me that the collar is too tight, I can see why it's important that the tube grips the pin securely but it's so tight it's a problem getting the pin in and out. (All the sockets are the same, but the earth pin seems to be the tightest)
Problem is, I can't see any way I can fix this without just removing the collar altogether, which I'm reluctant to do. I've tried WD40 to lubricate the pin and tube but it doesn't really help.
Also, I found when I opened up the plug on the end of the EHU cable that one end has the live and neutral transposed - is there any reason this should be so, and should I correct it when I put it back together or leave it alone? (As it all seems to work OK)
All advice welcomed as usual

 

[Techno]

Re the ends they will appear to be reversed if looking at the connections from the back but if you line the plug and socket up as though you were going to put them together they should line through

 

[Techno]

See the last line of first post here
http://www.motorhomefun.co.uk/forum/threads/hook-up-lead-terminations.91437/

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[Techno]

 

[Touchwood]

Re the ends they will appear to be reversed if looking at the connections from the back but if you line the plug and socket up as though you were going to put them together they should line through

When I say the live and neutral were transposed, I was referring to the "L" and "N" marks on the body of the socket on one end of the EHU cable, The Brown wire was in the "N" terminal and vice versa. I haven't yet checked whether they "line through" - I'll do so, but I would have expected the "L" and "N" to be correct.

 

[Techno]

Then it is telling you that it is connected wrong surely.
Clearly whoever made it up made them to look alike when viewed from the rear MISTAKE

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[Touchwood]

Then it is telling you that it is connected wrong surely.
Clearly whoever made it up made them to look alike when viewed from the rear MISTAKE

So after checking that they line through correctly I should re-wire it differently to the way it was?

 

[Techno]

You should put Brown in L and Blue in N at both ends.

Please don't anyone start a polarity thread!!!!! use the search facility as the forum is done to death on that

 

[Touchwood]

Many thanks Techno - and I certainly won't be starting a polarity thread!

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[Touchwood]

I've checked for "line-through" and in fact the socket on the end of the EHU cable DOES need to be wired "incorrectly" to put the live onto the live terminal on the plug on the MH - and yes, the plug on the MH is wired according to the marks on the terminals, live to "L/+" Very strange?!

 

[Techno]

I've checked for "line-through" and in fact the socket on the end of the EHU cable DOES need to be wired "incorrectly" to put the live onto the live terminal on the plug on the MH - and yes, the plug on the MH is wired according to the marks on the terminals, live to "L/+" Very strange?!

The live pin being which? DONT forget you plug the female end in here not the male end

 

[Badknee]

Many moons ago I had a very small wire brush that fitted into the female end of trailer plugs etc which was great if there were any lights on the trailer or caravan not working due to a bad connection but it seems to have disappeared as I was going to use it on my EHU cable. A slight smear of petroleum jelly might help?

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[Touchwood]

The live pin being which? DONT forget you plug the female end in here not the male end

On my MH the live (brown) wire is wired to the right hand pin as you look at the photograph - the side opposite to the hand in the photo. The equivalent socket on the end of the EHU cable has the other side socket marked "L"

 

[Techno]

The right hand pin is correct and so too it is the right hand pin on the back of the female

 

[Touchwood]

Many thanks again, Techno - so it was wired correctly in the first place, even though the "L" and "N" marks on the socket are the other way round.

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[Techno]

I need to see a picture of it
In over 40 years I have never found electrical equipment manufactured with moulded connections marked up incorrectly

I would at the very least destroy it
It may be why it is a bad fit if it is not made to British standard

 

[Touchwood]

I've already put it back on, Techno, but I will take your advice and replace it at the first opportunity.

On second thoughts I'll open it up again and take some photos - it's got me a little worried I must admit. Are you staying on a while?

 

[Techno]

I've already put it back on, Techno, but I will take your advice and replace it at the first opportunity.

On second thoughts I'll open it up again and take some photos - it's got me a little worried I must admit. Are you staying on a while?

Yes indeed thanks

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[pappajohn]

If you are pitched you could ask a neighbouring van if you could try their lead.
At least that would confirm either the plug or socket to be at fault.

 

[Techno]

Any legitimate equipment will have a BSI number or these days a CE mark

 

[DavidG58]

Any legitimate equipment will have a BSI number or these days a CE mark
View attachment 71694

as I fear would most dodgy ones these days

I am very impressed with your stock of bits you keep bringing out to photograph

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[Techno]

as I fear would most dodgy ones these days

I am very impressed with your stock of bits you keep bringing out to photograph

Surprisingly I have bought stuff from China with and without a CE mark and so far the CE ones have been quality but I understand

However , on topic I use these. two pairs delivered £9.95
Broken Link Removed

 

[Touchwood]

Right, now I have to remember how to post photos - a little fuzzy I'm afraid, blasted camera wouldn't focus for some reason....

Damn, it's not obvious - gonna have to look it up....

 

[Techno]

http://www.motorhomefun.co.uk/forum/resources/adding-photos-to-messages.68/

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[Touchwood]

Right, it is easy, just took the wrong path....

 

[Touchwood]

Hope you can see from them....

 

[Techno]

I can only imagine that it might be the innards of a 110volt socket substituted in a 230 volt casing. I don't have one to compare but I would bin it and fit a new one. I imagine it will cure you problem too

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[Touchwood]

Thanks Andy - the previous owner of the MH was a bit of a DIY type and a couple of other things he's done weren't too clever so I'd guess you're right. I'll replace both of the cable sockets - any recommendations as to where to shop?

 

[Techno]

Thanks Andy - the previous owner of the MH was a bit of a DIY type and a couple of other things he's done weren't too clever so I'd guess you're right. I'll replace both of the cable sockets - any recommendations as to where to shop?

Yes posted a bit back up the thread

EDIT
Broken Link Removed

 

[Touchwood]

Ah - seen the link in your previous post - thanks again

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