Polarity tester plug

[Dave_E]

I have a three prong polarity tester plug.Am I correct in thinking I can plug this into any 230 socket inthe van when I hook up and it will notify me of any reverse polarity in the supply.

 

[Eddystone]

Yes is the simple answer. You will notice there are symbols next to the lights to indicate the status.

 

[Odd-no-more]

Yes it should, although reverse polarity is not so important in a modern van as it was some time ago, due to most having double pole RCD's

 

[Dave_E]

Excellent. Thanks very much.

 

[Nasher]

Also good to check there is an earth connection

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[MajorClanger]

A word of warning: I tried to use a polarity tester to check the inverter on our (new to us) MH after we got it. Tried all of the sockets - nothing but a very faint flicker every few seconds (which I initially missed as it was so faint). I phoned up the dealer to complain that the inverter was broken and he asked how I was testing it. When I explained, he said to try it with an actual load, and lo and behold, it worked. It turns out that the inverter is "intelligent" and only powers the sockets when it thinks they are being used; these polarity testers don't draw enough current to signal to the inverter that there's something plugged in!

 

[Dave_E]

It seems the van has a double poled rcd so do I need the plug etc.

 

[Odd-no-more]

It seems the van has a double poled rcd so do I need the plug etc.

With a double pole RCD you are safe so it's not so important

 

[TerryL]

I'm not too concerned about so-called reverse polarity - I made up a reverser myself for it anyway - but the lack of an earth is of more interest. That said we're rarely on hookup anyway but we still check as part of our "setting up" process.

 

[Odd-no-more]

I'm not too concerned about so-called reverse polarity - I made up a reverser myself for it anyway - but the lack of an earth is of more interest. That said we're rarely on hookup anyway but we still check as part of our "setting up" process.

Do you take an earth loop tester away with you? Or just use the test button?

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[TerryL]

That's a bit too technical for me but from what little (and it's a lot of little) I know about electrics being aware that there isn't an earth I suppose makes me think a little bit more of any problems with the 240v electrics - and then I'll get my qualified electrician mate to sort it out!

But your question just makes me think the mains tester plug is really a waste of time.

 

[autorouter]

I have a three prong polarity tester plug.Am I correct in thinking I can plug this into any 230 socket inthe van when I hook up and it will notify me of any reverse polarity in the supply.

The first time you use it, assuming the supply is not reversed, you can go round all the sockets and check that they are all the correct polarity, ie not reversed. Then you can use any socket to test for reverse polarity.

I have a short round blue plug to UK socket adaptor, so with the tester I can directly test the hookup post, useful to see if it is working or not. Also I can test the hookup cable. I've used it several times to sort out a neighbour's mains connection problem.

Many European campsites don't have round blue sockets, but use the local domestic sockets instead. Be aware that the German/Spanish Schuko plug (the '2-pin plug') is reversible, so if the polarity is wrong just flip it over.

 

[SpeedyDux]

The first time you use it, assuming the supply is not reversed, you can go round all the sockets and check that they are all the correct polarity, ie not reversed. Then you can use any socket to test for reverse polarity.

I have a short round blue plug to UK socket adaptor, so with the tester I can directly test the hookup post, useful to see if it is working or not. Also I can test the hookup cable. I've used it several times to sort out a neighbour's mains connection problem.

Many European campsites don't have round blue sockets, but use the local domestic sockets instead. Be aware that the German/Spanish Schuko plug (the '2-pin plug') is reversible, so if the polarity is wrong just flip it over.

Likewise if your MH is a German import with 2 pin sockets. I wouldn't bother replacing those with a UK 3-pin socket. I used a travel adapter.