Electrical Question from newbie

Hi all,

hoping someone can help me with this question from novice at both motor homes and electrics. We are going to France this year with our Fiat Ducato rollerteam 2005 motor home, and I am bringing a 25 meter electric cable, 2 x 10 meter cables one with "Irish" type sockets in it, one with the normal round side, an EU adapter cable (has EU plug at one side), and an Irish adapter ("Irish" plug one side). I will also bring splitter box. So 25 meter cable will go from campites EHU into the splitter box. Then 10 meter cable will come out of the splitter box into our awning to provide Irish type plugs for it. The other 10 meter will go from splitter to the motor home.
I plan to bring a new small TV with Irish plug on it, an electric BBQ, and also looking to bring low voltage electric heater. (also saw a really good low voltage oven for making pizzas, may bring that!).
Is everything I am doing looking alright? Should I bring anything else to make sure I have appropriate electrical requirements? Both campsites we are going to are 10 amp, is this enough amperage for my electrical needs - say to put on TV and heat at night time, some lights and nothing else?
Lastly, in terms of electrical connections, has anyone had issues where they damaged their electrics on the continent because of electrical incompatibilities etc?
This and any other electrical advice gratefully accepted.

You seem to have enough cable with you.
We very seldom connect to electric in France anymore but info below may be of some help.


You may find some of the campsites have low amp supply. Maybe even as low as 6amp. I doubt an electric BBQ would work on 6 amp at all.
There are issues with reversed polarity on many French hook ups. You can sometimes get away with turning the French type plug 180 degrees if it that type but more and more often they are adopting the same blue euro plug used in Ireland. I carry a short lead to add in line if required. It is about 2 feet long with the usual blue plug and socket at the ends but with the live and neutral swapped over.

Many people will say you can ignore the reversed polarity but I prefer to correct it.

A plug in polarity tester can be bought in most caravan shops.

thanks Mark, especially on the rule of thumb which is a good guide.
so a couple of questions on that.
any idea what a 3-way fridge would normally take up? I reckon we would probably have the heater on which would be around 750/850W, and the TV which I hope would be about the same. On a 10 amp site, that probably doesn't leave a lot but I reckon we would just have one light on. Also we would be cooking without having heat on so hoping we would stay within the 10 amps. I am actually thinking of just using one appliance at a time to be sure.
Most importantly, typically on these French sites, what exactly happens if you overdo the power and it trips? Do you have to do the walk of shame to the campsite owners or can you reset the power yourself?

Sorry - should have said thanks Elmo re "rule of thumb" advice.
Mark, thanks for the info - I at this stage and being new to it all, just want to make sure I do not fry my electrics in any way - so in terms of reverse polarity, if I ignore it I am not going to run out of the campsite on fire am I?
Pat, re the TV, I just have a usb drive (not mains) with a load of films, TV and music on it, to watch only if it rains or to keep the kids happy. The TV has a built-in media player.

No but some of your applicances may not work as well as usual. Especially toasters and kettles.


Just make up the lead I mentioned earlier and get a polarity tester. Should cost less than €20 and give you peace of mind.

No but some of your applicances may not work as well as usual. Especially toasters and kettles.



Reverse polarity is not an issue with the operation efficiency of appliances, in Europe where they have the round pin plugs it's possible to plug the appliance either way unless it's the type of with an earth pin.

The real issue is that with the feed coming in the 'wrong' wire many appliance can still be live even with the switch in the off position resulting in a shock hazard.
To overcome this hazard some appliances have double pole switches which means both wires are switched so it doesn't matter which one the power is coming in on, there will be no power in it.
However, as some appliances might have only single pole switching and it's often difficult to tell the type the advice is always unplug before interfering with any appliance.

Or avoid the possibility of a shock hazard and get a tester and lead made up.

the reverse polarity is not an issue
electricity cannot run backwards
the problem is the live remains live as their switch is on the neutral
no issue unless your stupid enough to tamper with wiring with van plugged in

for all the price of two plugs, about two quid each from screwfix, and a piece of lead, just make a lead up and that will calm your nerves.

most aires if ehu available only have 6 amp, its only for charging and running fridge
in Germany its two amps on stellplatz mostly and only for running fridge
until the british arrive with 30 amps of req power and blow the lot.

don't fret about the power, place chairs outside, open refreshment of choice, put ass in chair, relax

Thanks all. Hopefully I wont need to use heat - my main reasons in France will be for cooking (if I plug in I can save on gas - not that big a deal though) and TV, which will I think be needed to keep my young kids amused if its raining or whatever.
Dave, if the EHU trips, do you normally have to go back to reception to unlock? IS this typical?
thanks

gas is cheaper, and if you have gaslow its readily available

on german stellplatz they charge ehu at end of stay by units used
germans/French have virtually nothing added , the English for some reason are paying thru the roof, hence gas is cheaper !
every light on in van, electric fans, electric hobs to save gas, awning light on all night etc etc......it all adds up.

Don't worry.
If you have selected it with your booking it should be included in the price you have.

Just go and enjoy it.
You will hardly need electric anyway.