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Hi, we purchased one of these 3 socket units at the weekend. I've read plenty on here about reversed polarity and how this might affect us on the continent.

However I thought I would plug this unit in to our mains indoors to make sure it was working. On the unit is a reversed polarity light, which it states if on you should turn the unit off as it is indicating reversed polarity.

I connected the male blue safety plug into the female blue EU adaptor we purchased then put the two pin euro plug into a 2 pin Euro/3 pin UK adaptor (like you use with a shaver). Then plugged this into our house mains. I thought that this would allow me to test the unit. However the reversed polarity light came on. I unplugged the UK 2 pin from the adaptor and turned it round in the adaptor plug but still the reversed polarity light came on. 

Am I missing something, can I not test this unit in this way? Do I have to just wait until we get to the continent? Or is the unit broken?

Thanks. 

hi this will come on as the  conti adapter is rigged up for use abroard try using a uk adapter and it will work fine

kevin

Reverse polarity is not about live being neutral etc... In the UK, one "side" of the mains electricity is bonded to earth at the electricity substation. This is called the neutral.

The only way a reverse polarity tester can know which way round the polarity is is by referencing it to earth. You are only using a 2 pin connector, so no earth. Hence the reverse polarity light will come on.

When you test it, please check the test button on the RCD. This could be a lifesaver. The 2 pin connector should have an earth at the side. If the RCD does not trip when you use the test button, do not use the unit.

You can buy a short length of cable with blue socket one end and 13A 3pin plug the other. This will let you plug it in at home. The one below is on the UKCS shop or get one at your local caravan shop.

I use one for plugging the caravan in at home to charge the battery abnd cool the fridge etc.

Pyramid Products Hook Up Adaptor - UK (T7292)   £ 3.99

Quote: Originally posted by freeatlast on 11/8/2009

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Reverse polarity is not about live being neutral etc... In the UK, one "side" of the mains electricity is bonded to earth at the electricity substation. This is called the neutral.

The only way a reverse polarity tester can know which way round the polarity is is by referencing it to earth. You are only using a 2 pin connector, so no earth. Hence the reverse polarity light will come on.

When you test it, please check the test button on the RCD. This could be a lifesaver. The 2 pin connector should have an earth at the side. If the RCD does not trip when you use the test button, do not use the unit.

 

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Thanks Freeatlast, the no earth bit makes sense. Hopefully if I get the 13A plug to blue socket tonight it will test OK.

I hadn't tested the RCD yet as when the polarity light came on straight away the instructions said to turn it off. So I'll give that a go as well. It should be all OK as it is from GoOutdoors and the box was sealed with a tested by manufacturer sticker.

Got my blue socket to UK plug last night and tried the unit again. It is all OK. The reverse polarity light was out and then tested the RCD which worked fine.

Thanks again for all your help.

Chris.