Electric Hook up in France and Spain

[qyouquestion]

Hi everyone, I have a 2002 factory built T4 California, 12 volt, 240 volt uk plug inside cab. I’m going to driving from Cherbourg to Madrid in September.
I read on Internet something about reverse polarities and voltage variation on some campsites.
Don’t really understand what that means however I don’t want to damage my electrics.
The suggestion on the Internet was to buy conversion kits with a volt tester? Is this really nesscersary? Please could anyone advise. qyouquestion

 

[B J G]

Polarity tester is this type which shows if mains is wired incorrectly.
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/UK-Mains...719661?hash=item5d7ae3fa6d:g:rbAAAOSwGSxahaUD
Very common fault in France, even found different polarities in our house in Normandy room to room.
Usual remedy is to carry a short mains plug-socket where the live and neutral wires are crossed over, you simply put this in the supply cable line.
Example
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/EU-Europ...423281&hash=item3a8f12f203:g:chsAAOSws19ZgLiF
The other solution means opening up your mains cable at one end and swapping over the live neutral wires (brown-blue) not the most convenient method.

Some sites only have the house type sockets which needs an adapter
Example
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/European...278861?hash=item5d712611cd:g:BkgAAOSw42dZHrz7

Voltage shouldn't be too much of a problem, current can be as some sites only supply 6amp or 10amp.

 

[qyouquestion]

Hi BJG, thank you for such a comprehensive answer to my question, very helpful, I shall purchase both of the items in question. qyouquestion.

 

[sidepod]

Don’t worry about it. Just plug in and crack on.

 

[Amarillo]

Polarity tester is this type which shows if mains is wired incorrectly.
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/UK-Mains...719661?hash=item5d7ae3fa6d:g:rbAAAOSwGSxahaUD
Very common fault in France, even found different polarities in our house in Normandy room to room.
Usual remedy is to carry a short mains plug-socket where the live and neutral wires are crossed over, you simply put this in the supply cable line.
Example
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/EU-Europ...423281&hash=item3a8f12f203:g:chsAAOSws19ZgLiF
The other solution means opening up your mains cable at one end and swapping over the live neutral wires (brown-blue) not the most convenient method.

Some sites only have the house type sockets which needs an adapter
Example
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/European...278861?hash=item5d712611cd:g:BkgAAOSw42dZHrz7

Voltage shouldn't be too much of a problem, current can be as some sites only supply 6amp or 10amp.

Is polarity a problem for the sort of appliances in a Cali?
Italy has plugs with the three pins in a row so they will go in the socket either way. It doesn't seem to matter there for most appliances.


Follow my blog: www.au-revoir.eu

 

[Velma's Dad]

Lots of agonising on past threads about this. But not a real-world problem as practically anything you want to plug into your Cali won't care about polarity,

 

[WelshGas]

Anything with a Plastic outer casing will not be a problem. However items with a Metal outer casing may be a problem.

 

[T6 CFO]

In my experience in Spain & Portugal I found that on several occasions the on site hook up either did not work/needed to be switched on/had reversed polarity.
To stop me wondering if it was the source or the Cali and at the same to check the polarity I use the plug to check as in below picture. If all is well I then plug in the hook up from the Cali. If power is ok but polarity is reversed then the other lead is stuck in the chain to reverse it.

My check in the Cali is to either check the icon in the bottom right of the control panel or plug the kettle in.

Mike

 

[B J G]

Is polarity a problem for the sort of appliances in a Cali?
Italy has plugs with the three pins in a row so they will go in the socket either way. It doesn't seem to matter there for most appliances.


Follow my blog: www.au-revoir.eu

Generally no problem but if polarity reversed then the unit on/off switch is switching the Neutral line off/on leaving the Live still through the unit at all times.

 

[El Greco]

I thought the main switch was double pole

 

[andyinluton]

Even if it isn't , I don't know why anyone would bother using the on off switch.
Plug in to EHU powers on, unplug from EHU powers off.
I cant think of any occasion that I would have the Van plugged into A EHU but want the switch off in the van.

 

[sidepod]

Generally no problem but if polarity reversed then the unit on/off switch is switching the Neutral line off/on leaving the Live still through the unit at all times.
That includes the Cali trip switch.

Wrong. It’s s double pole switch. ie N and L trip in unison thus negating reverse polarity.