Reversed polarity adapter

stevejulie37
stevejulie37 Forum Participant Posts: 84
edited June 2016 in Overseas Campsites & Touring #1

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Hook-Up-Polarity-Reverse-Adaptor-Socket-Tester-CARAVAN-CAMPING-MOTOR-HOME-/121943779345?hash=item1c646a6811:g:JP0AAOSwPhdU5DYy

been looking at these on ebay and have a few questions

1. does anyone else use these

2.are they safe 

3. can i just plug my non reversed hook up lead into the adapter or will i still need a reveresed hook up lead

only looking at them so it would save carring another full hook up lead and can just be thrown in the draw of the van when not needed

 

cheers

 

Comments

  • olden
    olden Forum Participant Posts: 38
    edited June 2016 #2

    We always test the polarity and use a Reverse Adapter if needed. Made my own so cannot guarantee the safety of the one that is on offer. It includes a tester and so you can check before using it and then check again that it has reversed the polarity

    You do not need anything other than the reversing lead and the tester. If the tester shows that polarity is reversed, put the reversing lead in before you plug your own lead, into the reversing lead

  • stevejulie37
    stevejulie37 Forum Participant Posts: 84
    edited June 2016 #3

    is the adapter reversed at one end and normal on the other i may get one made at workif thats the case??

  • chasncath
    chasncath Forum Participant Posts: 1,659
    1000 Comments
    edited June 2016 #4

    You need a blue socket and a blue plug, and short length of cable. Wire the plug correctly, but the connect the the socket so that the live is connected to the neutral pin and vice versa. You will also need a two-pin and earth plug connected by a short lead to a blue socket. This is for use on sites where the EHU is not to the CEE standard. You can buy a ready made lead in most caravan shops.

    Note that in France, the two-pin and earth plug cannot be inserted up side down to overcome reversed polarity.

    Have a look at David Klyne's excellent guide LINK

  • stevejulie37
    stevejulie37 Forum Participant Posts: 84
    edited June 2016 #5

    thanks a lot i will get one knocked up tommorrow nothing better than free stuff rather than paying lol

  • AJB
    AJB Forum Participant Posts: 120
    edited June 2016 #6

    If you really want to cover ALL possibilities then can i suggest the following.....

    1.  Reverse adapter using CEE socket to CEE plug. (Blue sockets and plugs a la Club sites)

    2.  Adapter using CEE socket to a 'shuko' french style 2-pin plug with earth hole...

    If you get reversed polarity on CEE connections use adaptor 1.

    If you need to adapt to a 'shuko' connection use adaptor 2.

    If you get reversed polarity on a shuko socket WITHOUT earth pin simply turn the 'shuko' plug upside down.

    If you get reversed polarity on a 'shuko' socket WITH earth pin (mainly France, but also some in Spain) use adaptor 1 AND adaptor 2......  SIMPLES!!

  • DJG
    DJG Forum Participant Posts: 277
    edited June 2016 #7

    If you really want to cover ALL possibilities then can i suggest the following.....

    1.  Reverse adapter using CEE socket to CEE plug. (Blue sockets and plugs a la Club sites)

    2.  Adapter using CEE socket to a 'shuko' french style 2-pin plug with earth hole...

    If you get reversed polarity on CEE connections use adaptor 1.

    If you need to adapt to a 'shuko' connection use adaptor 2.

    If you get reversed polarity on a shuko socket WITHOUT earth pin simply turn the 'shuko' plug upside down.

    If you get reversed polarity on a 'shuko' socket WITH earth pin (mainly France, but also some in Spain) use adaptor 1 AND adaptor 2......  SIMPLES!!

    Don't forget the Swiss plug and one for Ukraine and Georgia, then you might have all possibilities covered!!!!!!

  • AJB
    AJB Forum Participant Posts: 120
    edited June 2016 #8

    OK...ok....point taken....maybe I didn't cover everything!!

    I am surprised you mentioned a Swiss plug though.  My only experience of Swiss sites was Lazy Rancho, and that was back in 1999 - and I
    thought they used the CEE plug - but then I could be wrong (I'm sure someone will know).  Good luck.

    ps DJG - what do the Ukraine/Georgian plugs look like?  Have they got oval pins?  or maybe 3 pins but 2 round, 1 square?  Please tell.

  • EmilysDad
    EmilysDad Forum Participant Posts: 8,973
    1000 Comments
    edited June 2016 #9

     ....

    Note that in France, the two-pin and earth plug cannot be inserted up side down to overcome reversed polarity. ...

    Why? I cannt believe that earth connection depnds on you inserting a plug in the 'correct' way round ..... was the socket fitted the right way round? Innocent I've
    only had need to use a 2 pin adapter on one site though.

  • chasncath
    chasncath Forum Participant Posts: 1,659
    1000 Comments
    edited June 2016 #10

     ....

    Note that in France, the two-pin and earth plug cannot be inserted up side down to overcome reversed polarity. ...

    Why? I cannt believe that earth connection depnds on you inserting a plug in the 'correct' way round ..... was the socket fitted the right way round? Innocent I've
    only had need to use a 2 pin adapter on one site though.

    A French  two pin outlet has an earth pin sticking out which mates with a socket in the two pin French plug. It also has earth strips along tbe side of the body. A German or Italian two pin and earth plug can be inserted upside down to reverse polarity,
    but a French plug can't

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