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A really basic question but this is our first time with electrics....

Do the French campsites couple up to standard "UK" IP44 3pin sockets?

Many thanks

Paul

Hi The campsite we are going to in France has the french type euro socket 2 round pins and a hole for the earth. So have to make an adaptor lead up for our cable to plug in. Will make up a short lead with the blue female socket on one end and a UK plug on the other and get continental adaptor for the first day, till we get a french plug from a super Market Being a "sparks" has its uses You can get these converter leads made up saw them on Millets direct. But do check that the polarity is correct when  out there before plugging anything in, other folk on the campsite may have a polarity tester.

Hi Paul,

Many French sites do now use a UK IP44 type, but a lot use the continental system - you will need a continental adapter such as this -

Available from all good camping and caravanning shops for about £5

Also, take a polarity tester (about £10)

to test for reverse polarity - you can make up a connector with live and neutral switched if you find this to be the case (some sites catering for UK travellers that have reverse polarity will have suitable connectors for sale in site shop)

Jon

Hi Paul

Try this site http://www.millets.co.uk/Millets.storefront/EN/Product/093872

Thanks to all.

Sorted now.

Paul

Quote: Originally posted by malcolmR on 01/07/2005

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Hi The campsite we are going to in France has the french type euro socket 2 round pins and a hole for the earth.

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I really dont want to be pedantic here, but should the above description of the French socket not be '2 round holes and a pin for the earth'.

It is a socket after all. The plug would then have the round pins etc..

Just for clarity and safety. Don't want to cause any confusion here.

Thanks and safe camping

enjoy your holiers

Spudz

Just bought a mains tester which checks polarity at maplins - £3.99.

http://www.maplin.co.uk/Module.aspx?ModuleNo=9800&doy=1m7

You can order online, think postage is about £2.50

Hoping not to sound too thick here but I need just a little bit more explaining....

Having read lots of posts on this subject I have gone out and bought my polarity tester and two continental adapters. I am thinking that all I need to do now is have one of the adapters reversed? I have opened up one of the adapters, is it just a simple case of swapping the live and neutral positions? and then this is my reverse adapter (which will be marked) if I need it? and this is all I need to do...I wouldn't have to swap anything else around, my normal hook up lead would just hook up to this adapter and I would plug it in the french bit as I would at home?

If the above is correct then I am doing ok so far.....Is this all I will need?

 Am I right in thinking that a lot of the sites are just like our hook-ups and I will not need to use an adapter? If I am on a site that is like a UK hook-up will I still have to test polarity? and if yes I would assume I also need a UK type adapter that is reversed ?

Have I forgotten anything?

Cheers!

Absolutely spot on for the polarity reverser.

paul