Mountain ash Posted August 30, 2013 Share Posted August 30, 2013 Hi I am going to Spain soon and have just read that there could be a problem with Reversed polarity in the electricity As I am not technically minded how can I make sure I do not have a problem with this Can I buy anything to resolve this problem : Thanks to anyone who replies Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tracker Posted August 30, 2013 Share Posted August 30, 2013 Hi and welcome to the madhouse. You could try plugging something like this into your van's mains socket. http://compare.ebay.co.uk/like/251260930738?var=lv http://www.amazon.co.uk/s/?ie=UTF8&keywords=polarity+checker&tag=googhydr-21&index=aps&hvadid=23546292032&hvpos=1t1&hvexid=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=419986532208423027&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=b&hvdev=c&ref=pd_sl_4adox74zxr_b Other devices are available! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Derek Uzzell Posted August 31, 2013 Share Posted August 31, 2013 Mountain ash - 2013-08-30 9:58 PM Hi I am going to Spain soon and have just read that there could be a problem with Reversed polarity in the electricity As I am not technically minded how can I make sure I do not have a problem with this Can I buy anything to resolve this problem : Thanks to anyone who replies Even if you connect to a mains-electricity outlet that has 'reverse polarity', it's unlikely to cause you problems. However, if you wish to take precautionary measures you'll need to be able to a) check whether or not the outlet's polarity is reversed and b) correct the reversal if it is. Assuming that your motorhome has no in-built capability to check for reversed polarity (a few do), you will need a mains-tester of the type Tracker refers to. Reviews suggest that this one is as good as any: http://www.amazon.co.uk/Green-Mains-Socket-Safety-Tester/dp/B003337BLM/ref=pd_cp_diy_0 These testers are designed to plug into a UK-norm 13Amp 3-pin domestic socket, which your motorhome probably has. I suppose that - for maximum safety - one should test at the supply-outlet before connecting the motorhome to that outlet, but to do this you'd need a suitable adapter into which you could plug the tester. Let's forget that - just check the polarity by plugging the tester into one of your motorhome's habitation-area mains sockets immediately after connecting the vehicle to the campsite's mains supply-outlet. If the tester shows that the supply is not 'correct' and the diagnosis is anything OTHER than reverse polarity (Live and Neutral reversed) I strongly suggest you do not use that particular outlet. Try another outlet instead. To correct reverse polarity you'll need an adapter that will reverse the already-reversed Live and Neutral feeds. This adapter is added to your EHU (Electric Hook-Up) cable (for simplicity's sake, add it to the end of the cable that connects directly to the motorhome). After the adapter has been fitted, confirm with the tester that things are now OK. This recent forum thread discusses reverse polarity http://www.outandaboutlive.co.uk/forums/Motorhomes/Hints-and-Tips/Newbie-Q-What-is-Reverse-Polarity-/32400/ A polarity-correcting adapter is advertised here http://tinyurl.com/pg7l5p5 and here are a couple of relevant articles http://www.venture-caravans.com/pdf/guides/Reversed-Polarity-Guide.pdf http://www.practicalcaravan.com/advice/reverse-polarity-how-cope-tour Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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