Reversing neutral/active automatically

[BruceS]

mmmm .... even did it in a houseboat!!!
No excuses but a red face!

[Grandad]

If the caravan park is wired correctly then why is it needed?

Well, apart from Davids scenario of an extension lead being wired incorrectly, George earlier mentioned he's found a fault in many caravan park outlets.
And this seems to be a common comment in many posts on other forums.
Regarding extention leads. This has always baffled me. How can anyone stuff that up? Ok, it's easy enough I guess to wire up the wrong colour to the wrong pin. I admit I have to look at an old power socket from my bin to remember which pin is active. It's the top right, but is that looking from the rear or front? That's what I always have to double check. But even if you mess that up. Plug the female into the male and check each pin has the same colour as the other. It's ain't rocket science.

The change over switch has better be a good quality break before make.... good luck if it's not!

I 100% agree. And that's the part I will seek professional help. I'm not comfortable calling it a change over switch. That conjures up a picture of a manual rotary switch, which I did consider. I want to use a relay. A manual switch is open to human error in leavng the switch in the wrong position. In fact, I suspect that would definitely be illegal. For good reason.
The schematic I have come up with should be fully automatic. However, some kind of failsafe is not a bad idea. I'll ponder on that a bit.
But that relay has to be top quality and definitely designed for 240VAC.

Jim

[supersparky]

Jim, From when I was a kid, it was drummed into us. When looking at the GPO or female end of the lead Live on the Left, Return on the Right. L to L R to R. Return in the case means Neutral.

[Grandad]

Live on the left...Ok, I'll remember that. Thanks
Return is cool. That's actually what it's called in Canada. My Dad always referred to 'return'. I had to get used to calling it neutral.

Similar in thinking of how to remember the new wire colours. I was cool with black and red. Red always means danger. Easy.
But Blue and brown???? Who thought that was a good idea? Then I got it. Black 'n Blue....Blue is the new black.

Jim

[BernieQ2]

Seems to be a few "old" farts here , I've never driven off with a lead still connected . (even at the drive in) and when courting Carol that was most Fri/Sat nite.....She lived in front of the drive in .
I have the same polarity device that Bruce put up in his post . Takes the angst out .
Bernie .

[Newcastle George]

Here is my tester. Can't remember where I got it.

George

100_6158 (Custom).JPG

[Peter and Sandra]

Along with George on the rare occasion we actually stay in a van park I've found a few van parks that have had polarity reversed, also had a few that my Xantrex pass through inverter wouldn't allow any power to be passed through which usually meant they were running on gensets and the cycles were way off.
The only occasions we've ever needed mains power was on the rare occasions when the weather has been very inclement and no solar available for extended periods.

[homeless]

I am guilty your honour as I dont use those horrible caravan jails and also I have always been mostly self sufficient. The only things I have left behind was a step and a pot plant.

[pet-els]

I get my leads tagged and tested each year. This also gives one a chance to check the insulation on the lead.


PeterH

[jon_d]

And a pot plant..... good on ya. that would have paid for a few nights.