The campervan I imported last year from Germany has European plug sockets is it just a case of wiring UK plug socket ? Anything else I should be aware of ?
Is this okay to install ? [url= http://www.screwfix.com/p/13a-1-gang-single-pole-switch-socket-metal-clad/43926# ]screwfix[/url] or this [url= http://www.screwfix.com/p/lap-13a-1-gang-unswitched-socket-ip55-240v/38339# ]screwfix 1[/url]
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The easy answer is yes, as continental europe uses a 220v system and ours is 240, so most appliances are rated at 230 with a buffer to be usable on both,
not an electrician but yes
assuming it is inside the van and not external - it must be as you use a 3 point thingy outside- then any standard UK socket will do you do not need IP rated ones [ basically how outside wet and dirty]
An electrician will explain this with the correct words tomorrow
I assume it has an RCD fitted as well.
thanks for answers and by RCD you mean these ?
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one thing i forgot some european sites (particularly in France) can have the live and neutral wired 'back to front'so check your van isn't similarly wired, you can get a plug polarity tester to do this
[url= http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/like/251516778234?limghlpsr=true&hlpv=2&ops=true&viphx=1&hlpht=true&lpid=108&device=c&adtype=pla&crdt=0&ff3=1&ff11=ICEP3.0.0&ff12=67&ff13=80&ff14=108&ff19=0 ] one on ebay[/url]
I have one of those and all okay...its the french that play that game !
So do I have RCDs then ?
yes
Many thanks
Shucks I love this forum 😛
just looked at your screwfix links, can you not get new faceplates (probably from a camping shop) to fit the current back boxes?
The boxes are pretty small I shall measure them and see but tbh if they do exist they'll be twice the price as they would have come from a "camping shop" and that will inflate the price !
I have 3 to change
Thanks for advice and ideas 😉
So do I have RCDs then ?
Yes the blue thing is your RCD switch you only have one whihc then sends the power to the two circuit breakers [ on the right]
The T button tests the RCD - press it and it should trip the RCD if it does not it is either broken or not wired up and [b]get someone to look at it [/b]
I could explain how it works but trust me you want it to work!!!!
Not ideal, but when I moved back to germany (with lots of appliances on Uk plugs) I made up some patch lead extensions. Use a European plug on the one end and a UK multi socket on the other end of a short extension cable. Job done.
why dont you just put a Tesco adaptor in them at about one quid each??
Looks like its been wired in standard solid core cable?
Really it should be braided copper flex as the solid stuff can crack/break due to the vibrations when driving.
Also, there should be a good earth to the body/structure of the van to ensure it is earthed via the electric hook up.