Reverse polarity

[Jeff one]

Hi
We are off on our first trip to the sites below, thanks to the help of everyone on funsters, think we have everything covered, BUT will we come across this reverse polarity on these sites
Camping jeugdstadion , Ypres
Camping la Fontaine des cleric, Northern France,
Any help would be great I have not got a clue, once again thanks for the help

 

[Odd-no-more]

This will have 2 apposing views, if you have a newish van with a double pole MCB's then it is not anything to worry about. If it's an older van with single pole MCB's then there is a very small theoretical risk. My advice is to not worry and enjoy your trip.

 

[Richard n Ann]

Hi
We are off on our first trip to the sites below, thanks to the help of everyone on funsters, think we have everything covered, BUT will we come across this reverse polarity on these sites
Camping jeugdstadion , Ypres
Camping la Fontaine des cleric, Northern France,
Any help would be great I have not got a clue, once again thanks for the help

Don't worry about it

 

[TDub49]

I have heard about this "problem" but frankly have not come across it on any site in France, Italy Switzerland and Germany. I wouldn't worry about it and until your post, had forgotten that there was a potential problem

 

[ctc]

You don't worry about sockets in buildings incorrectly wired, very common in older properties and some new, so why in your van?

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[Clive and Kerri]

I’ve never come across it on sites with the the blue sockets but have occasionally on one with continental plugs. As above nothing to worry about. I still always test though but for the Earth connection, had it once in the uk that the Earth wire had come out of the socket

 

[xsparks]

The problem only arrises if you turn off the breaker to work on a socket. If the polarity is reversed you are switching off the neutral with a single pole breaker.

 

[Odd-no-more]

The problem only arrises if you turn off the breaker to work on a socket. If the polarity is reversed you are switching off the neutral with a single pole breaker.

Actually the real danger is a fault, live to earth, In that situation the MCB would not operate as it's on the neutral, however the risk is very small, with a short to earth the RCD should save you.
I think of it a bit like wearing a seatbelt, I have used a seatbelt since they became compulsory, not once has it been of any use, but in an accident it may save my life so I still use it

 

[xsparks]

A fault to earth will cause an unbalance and trip the rcd. Just pointing out that manually tripping the breaker gives a false sense of safety in the case of reverse polarity. Better to remove the supply altogether. No one worse for working live than an electrician. But as said this is a debate that goes on and on.