EHU France (1 Viewer)

snowdrops

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Well, after 6 months, our van is supposed to be ready in 10 days; right up to the wire as we leave for france in 2 weeks !!!!!! One thing we hadn't thought about was the hook up, done loads of uk camping in tents, caravans, campervans, however, never in France :unsure: Really silly question...... do we need an adaptor to hook up to the french aire/camping system ? ...... and why has someone at work mentioned a reverse current potential :eek: !!!!!!! ?
 

jimiol

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Yes you do and I've heard that reverse polarity can be a problem in France you can can get a tester and and adapter off fleabay in time for your trip
 
May 29, 2013
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Thought French sites used the blue "Rayroll" plug same as us ?

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Jan 3, 2008
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Usually you won't need an adaptor but on rare occasions you will need one for the French two pin type sockets, although the majority if sites have the same blue three pin sockets as we in the UK do. Most caravan/motorhome dealers sell adaptors and you can also buy them in France and you will find that some sites will lend you an adaptor if needed. (but better to take one with you) You plug you normal blue three pin plug into the adaptor and the goes into the two pin socket. As for reverse polarity, everything in your camper would work as normal if you ever experience it, which I haven't as far as I know. Site EHU will have an RCD and so should you motorhome, providing you are not taking electrical fittings apart whilst connected to EHU I wouldn't worry about it.
 
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mikebeaches

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This would do the trick - £5.98 delivered.

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It tends to be the older or smaller sites that have the continental 2-pin electric hook-ups, although not always the case.

As already mentioned, I wouldn't worry too much about polarity.

Mike
 

Bertie Bassett

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I made a simple reverse polarity lead myself for those (rare) occasions when one has been needed.My missus wont let me into B&Q without adult supervision such is my diy ability, so if I can make up a lead that works anybody can!

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magicsurfbus

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The main EHU issue we've encountered in France is the distance from the pitches to the hook up post.

I always carry two EHU cables in France, although with a solar panel we rarely (if ever) use either of them.
 

Bertie Bassett

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The main EHU issue we've encountered in France is the distance from the pitches to the hook up post.

I always carry two EHU cables in France, although with a solar panel we rarely (if ever) use either of them.


Seconded!
 

Gorse Hill

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Usually you won't need an adaptor but on rare occasions you will need one for the French two pin type sockets, although the majority if sites have the same blue three pin sockets as we in the UK do. Most caravan/motorhome dealers sell adaptors and you can also buy them in France and you will find that some sites will lend you an adaptor if needed. (but better to take one with you) You plug you normal blue three pin plug into the adaptor and the goes into the two pin socket. As for reverse polarity, everything in your camper would work as normal if you ever experience it, which I haven't as far as I know. Site EHU will have an RCD and so should you motorhome, providing you are not taking electrical fittings apart whilst connected to EHU I wouldn't worry about it.

Not quite true, The most important thing is the appliance live isn't fused (in the plug) with reversed polarity therefore it is protected by 16/20a mcb at the CU
Also when something is switched off (light switch) as we tend to use SP ( single pole switches in the uk) in motorhomes (France use DP meaning both lines are disconnected) changing a bulb means the fitting is still live when you think it is switched off because you have in fact switched the neutral not the live with reverse polarity so to be absolutely sure switch of the mcb if you need to change bulbs or anything to do with the electrics

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peter125

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dont get caught ,reverse polarity cost me my charger unit , got tester its more common than you think , also no neutaral just try in different socket and test again or use reversed polarity lead , buy kit of ebay or make your own , dont spoil your holiday
 

Bertie Bassett

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Not quite true, The most important thing is the appliance live isn't fused (in the plug) with reversed polarity therefore it is protected by 16/20a mcb at the CU
Also when something is switched off (light switch) as we tend to use SP ( single pole switches in the uk) in motorhomes (France use DP meaning both lines are disconnected) changing a bulb means the fitting is still live when you think it is switched off because you have in fact switched the neutral not the live with reverse polarity so to be absolutely sure switch of the mcb if you need to change bulbs or anything to do with the electrics


Useful info...many thanks, previously I must have been a hairs breadth from disaster a few times when fiddling with that, about which I knew nowt!
 

Emmit

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Greetings,
And take one of those triangular meter box keys with you as well. (Or a 10mm socket)
Handy for getting into the EHU box when you 'blow' the fuse. You won't have to bother the site management.

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MikeD

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dont get caught ,reverse polarity cost me my charger unit , got tester its more common than you think , also no neutaral just try in different socket and test again or use reversed polarity lead , buy kit of ebay or make your own , dont spoil your holiday

You definitely want to get the polarity correct.

A plug tester on Ebay is only £3.45.

Make or buy a lead for around £10.00.

Its not worth getting it wrong for less than £15.00 (y)
 

sean n maggie

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i got all mine from ebay.....
 

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snowdrops

snowdrops

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Thanx very much for that, as always, knowledgeable feedback :notworthy: I've been on ebay and bought the adaptor and the reverse polarity tester. Think we'll do without the polarity adaptor thing and just go without hook up if tests for that. Paying out so much as it's our first time abroad with new van eg maps, storage, outside chairs, european kit for van etc, thought we'd wait until next year for that. Thanx again :D

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Aug 6, 2013
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You definitely want to get the polarity correct.

/QUOTE]

Could you state exactly why it matters? I understand the single-pole switching problem but as has been said unless you dismantle an appliance or change a mains bulb without unplugging or switching off at the main breaker there is no issue.
 

Bertie Bassett

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See Gorse Hill's #9, sums it up in a clear way that even I understood. (My capacity to fail at any form of diy is legend where I live)!
 

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