Reversed Polarity

[Paul Batchelor]

Hi everyone we are currently driving down through France and at two Airs had the use of power but both have had reverse polarity. Have never had this issue before in UK or France. Is this just a coincidence two in a row or could I have a problem.

 

[mitzimad]

On the last van we had a couple of leds on switches thatglowed on reverse so we bought the lead as they lit the van up at night
New van we don't bother

 

[bigtwin]

But of course, the double pole RCD at the post would have tripped so all you have is an aquatic toaster.

That's why I said IF it is dangerous. The two situations are equally dangerous. Both can be guarded against by a double-pole RCD.

Which rather undermines the earlier toaster argument supposedly illustrates that ‘reverse polarity’ is more dangerous than not having ‘reverse polarity’.

Without challenge, many posts on fora such as this play on the fears of those who don’t understand electrical circuits with the result that this ‘reverse polarity’ non-issue gets perpetuated.

Ian

 

[autorouter]

Which rather undermines the earlier toaster argument supposedly illustrates that ‘reverse polarity’ is more dangerous than not having ‘reverse polarity’.

Without challenge, many posts on fora such as this play on the fears of those who don’t understand electrical circuits with the result that this ‘reverse polarity’ non-issue gets perpetuated.

No it doesn't. Without a functional RCD in either the hookup or the motorhome, some faults/accidents with reverse polarity can be potentially life-threatening. If there's a functional RCD somewhere, then it will protect against electric shock. As I said, most motorhomes and hookup posts have them. But some still don't, and should have. It only takes a minute to check, if you know what you are looking for.

 

[bigtwin]

No it doesn't. Without a functional RCD in either the hookup or the motorhome, some faults/accidents with reverse polarity can be potentially life-threatening. If there's a functional RCD somewhere, then it will protect against electric shock. As I said, most motorhomes and hookup posts have them. But some still don't, and should have. It only takes a minute to check, if you know what you are looking for.

Agreed.

Ian

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[Bognor Saint]

I'm pleased people come on here and ask the question.
The bottom line is that some people know what reverse polarity means and some do not. I used to be the latter until I understood it through this forum. My first brush with it was in France when the Sargent controller warned me of it. I hadn't a clue what it meant and had to tentatively suggest to Mrs BS that she may not be able to use the hairdryer. A phone call put me at ease.
Therefore we need to accept that not every has the knowledge.

 

[bigtwin]

I'm pleased people come on here and ask the question.
The bottom line is that some people know what reverse polarity means and some do not. I used to be the latter until I understood it through this forum. My first brush with it was in France when the Sargent controller warned me of it. I hadn't a clue what it meant and had to tentatively suggest to Mrs BS that she may not be able to use the hairdryer. A phone call put me at ease.
Therefore we need to accept that not every has the knowledge.

Indeed. Nothing should stop folks from asking about the non-issue. The challenge is in preventing the persistent recommendation that folks start carrying corrector leads.

Ian

 

[autorouter]

Indeed. Nothing should stop folks from asking about the non-issue.

It is misleading to refer to it as a non-issue. Fires due to battery short-circuits have been practically eliminated because virtually all wires from a battery are are fused. Does that make it a 'non-issue'?

 

[bigtwin]

It is misleading to refer to it as a non-issue. Fires due to battery short-circuits have been practically eliminated because virtually all wires from a battery are are fused. Does that make it a 'non-issue'?

I’m not sure that you’re analogy is comparable.

However, sticking with it, isn’t it a bit like saying that your fuse was fitted in the negative line rather than the positive line? It makes no difference, the protection still works.

Ian

 

[Jonno1103]

It's make no difference what the situation is.
Electric cable has 3 wires, live, neutral and earth.
Live and neutral can be either way round.....they still transmit electrical current
So whether it's a boat, a tent, a motorhome or a garden extension lead is irrelevant.

Dunno why PJ or bigtwin I'm no sparky but the one's that seem to have the issue that nothing works at all is those who use the hook ups which look like a domestic extension that you get from the likes of Go Outdoors etc for your tent and trailer tent, the don't seem to trip the post or built in MCB's either... stick a cross wired IP44 socket on the end and hey presto their portable 230v Halfords cooler starts chugging away!

Happens to my sister a lot in France with their Camp Let.