240v mains hook up

[Port Talbot]

Just about to change plug in connection box on side of van, found the old one has the blue wired to the live, bit mystified by this.

 

[rb62]

I see you have a Hymer,that's the way the Germans do it

 

[Guigsy]

If everything else is spec'd and wired correctly, it shouldn't matter either way. Note that when you plug into a lot of European hook-ups, it's not a given which side will be live.

 

[Port Talbot]

I see you have a Hymer,that's the way the Germans do it

Who knew?!

 

[Revolvor]

All of us:

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[Port Talbot]

If everything else is spec'd and wired correctly, it shouldn't matter either way. Note that when you plug into a lot of European hook-ups, it's not a given which side will be live.

Germans do it the opposite way!

 

[Port Talbot]

us

Apart from me!

 

[Hoovie]

Hymer connect the blue wire to the live? And this is normal? And everyone (apparently) knows this? And is accepted as right as that is the way Germans do it?

Glad I don't have a Hymer (or a German for that matter) Motorhome!

 

[pete4x4]

Just about to change plug in connection box on side of van, found the old one has the blue wired to the live, bit mystified by this.

View attachment 726304

Germany NOW use the same standard as us, they used to have a weird colour scheme that was Black brown and green I think.

I would check that the blue doesnt continue through out the van as live, ie check a socket wiring.

In reality it probably wont matter as the sockets in the Hymer will be double pole sockets that both L&N are disconnected when switched off. UK sockets only switch the live so in british vans it does matter.

Unless you have added some UK sockets!!??

I suspect that you will just be able to swap Blue and brown over and it will be wired correctly but do carry out the socket check first.

 

[Hoovie]

Germany NOW use the same standard as us, they used to have a weird colour scheme that was Black brown and green I think.

I would check that the blue doesnt continue through out the van as live, ie check a socket wiring.

In reality it probably wont matter as the sockets in the Hymer will be double pole sockets that both L&N are disconnected when switched off. UK sockets only switch the live so in british vans it does matter.

Unless you have added some UK sockets!!??

Just a comment to that ... if anyone IS adding a UK Socket with a switch (so I am guessing a domestic style socket?) you can get DP switched sockets at just around the same price as SP switched sockets. I try to remember to get those generally anyway purely as they are safer.

I suspect that you will just be able to swap Blue and brown over and it will be wired correctly but do carry out the socket check first.

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[autorouter]

If everything else is spec'd and wired correctly, it shouldn't matter either way. Note that when you plug into a lot of European hook-ups, it's not a given which side will be live.

It does matter. The fundamental problem with the British system is that plugs have a fuse. A fuse is inherently single pole. It is important that the fuse is on the live side. If a fuse blows and it's on the neutral side, the rest of the wiring is still live. Non-British plugs don't have a fuse inside, they rely on a 16A double-pole breaker in the consumer unit. The British system uses a 32A ring main, so all the appliances need fused plugs.

Non-British MHs don't care which is live and neutral, everything is double-pole protected. British MHs should in theory have the 'polarity' checked every time they plug into a new post. Of course an RCD gives you protection against most electric shock situations, so it's not the life-threatening problem it once was. All manufactured motorhomes will have double pole MCB breakers, and most will have an RCD. Even the British ones.

The upshot is, if you are wiring a MH using British plugs and sockets, you need to take care that the 'polarity' is correct, and the live is where it's intended to be. And make sure there's an RCD on the mains inlet.