First time to Europe - which EHU adaptor?

[Lizbiebrowne]

Away to Germany in August (and then Spain and Portugal in October). I guess I'm going to need a Schuko type adaptor to hook up any electrics to the van. There seem to be plenty available but some have the cable coming out at right angles from the two pin plug and with others the cable emerges from behind and in-line with the plug in the same way as my UK setup.

Is one preferable to the other or doesn't it matter?

 

[ctc]

Best to wire your own rear entry plug, and a 20m cable.

 

[Lenny HB]

Doesn't really matter, the r/a can be a bit awkward on some French sockets, as French sockets have an earth pin so plug only goes in one way but generally the r/a one is more convenient.

 

[autorouter]

There are two types of socket in general use in most of the EU. You want a plug that fits both types. It looks like this:

Two things to look for. 1.The hole in the top centre, to take the 'reversed earth pin' sticking out of French sockets. 2. Two metal contacts top and bottom, to mate with the 'sliding earth contacts' in the German/Spanish socket. Most plugs on electrical appliances are this dual-purpose type, but sometimes the single non-compatible type is fitted on mains extensions and adaptors, so double check before buying.

Many sites and aires/stellplatze have the round blue sockets that you get in the UK, it's standard across Europe. But sometimes they have the ordinary domestic sockets, so you'll sometimes need that adaptor.