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Hi

Hope someone can help. I read that some campsites in Europe have a different plug in than the UK when hooking up to electrics on campsites. I know that you can buy adapters to solve this problem. But then someone else told me that this isnt the case anymore and all campsites have the same plug as us here in England.

Has anybody out there come accross the different plug while travelling through Europe?

Hi Girl.

Welcome to UKCS! Yes there are different types, especially in France. We've come across sites that have the 'standard' blue 16amp plug, and then those that need the 2-pin adaptor in order to work.

You'd also be wise to spend a few quid on what they call a 'Polarity tester' too. Some sites may have the live & neutral wires oppositely configured, which could at the very least blow your fuses, potentially alot worse. This lil device will simply plug into one of your sockets and light up the relevant 'button' if everything is ok.

Hope this helps, enjoy yourself and be safe.

Hi Girlincamper

Some campsites (like our one here in The Loire Valley) lend out the converter (deposit required).

Where in Europe are you planning on going & when?

All The Best.

Thanks all. I'll be off to Towsure very soon to stock up.

Going all round Europe - France, Italy, Slovakia, Austria, Czech, Hungary and wherever else i feel like. Should be a good trip and i have no doubt i will come back an expert on all adapters and know all about this polarity business.

Thanks again

Girlincamper

The European standard is the CEE17 which is the same as we use in the UK. Unusual for the UK to be ahead of the pack!!! Unfortunately a lot of European campsites have been very slow to change over to the European standard so you will need to take a 2 pin adaptor with you. (available for caravan accessory shops)  Also because of the different electrical system a polarity tester is essential. To cover all eventualities you will need a short reversed polarity section of cable to fit in line just in case you come across reverse polarity.

David

We're off to France camping in the summer for the first time, how common is the electical system reversed? And what sort of polarity tester do you need? one you plug in or just a srew driver one? and what happens if you don't test? I know this subject has most proberly been spoken about before but the info would be helpful as my knowledge of electicy is zero.

thanks

Jane

Quote: Originally posted by pipgood on 26/03/2005

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We're off to France camping in the summer for the first time, how common is the electical system reversed? And what sort of polarity tester do you need? one you plug in or just a srew driver one? and what happens if you don't test? I know this subject has most proberly been spoken about before but the info would be helpful as my knowledge of electicy is zero.

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It is not the norm, but it is not rare and will vary from pitch to pitch within the same campsite. I have a polarity checker built into my mobile mains unit, but have also used a cheap and nasty electrical screwdiver to test for polarity. Given your knowledge of electricity is zero, I would advise mains unit with built in checker, or a proper polarity checker like Towsure's item number M56

make sure you have a modern setup with rcd / rcb, a lot of the discussions on reverse polarity invariably fizzle out, the danger - of having an appliance remaining live - would seem to be remote enough not to worry about it -  Motorcaravan magazine did a good article in their ? March ? edition, try and get a copy.

Thank you for your information I'll look into it

Jane