44
45
overseas connection
note: Connection to a mains voltage supply
oVERSEAS requires particular attention.
Care must be taken when connecting supplies
abroad since the supplies can be of REVERSE
POLARITY.
The significance of REVERSE POLARITY is that
when equipment is switched off it may not be
electrically isolated.
The only certain way of making equipment
safe is to unplug it.
If electrical polarity indication is not included in
your vehicle electrical equipment, it is useful to
have a means of checking polarity of the mains
supply, especially when touring overseas.
There are several proprietary makes of
equipment available for the purpose.
If it can be achieved, it is preferable to connect
live to live, and neutral to neutral to maintain
full electrical protection.
CHECK all vehicle equipment is set-up to accept
the site supply before actually switching on.
connecting
services
NICEIC, Vintage House, 37 Albert
Embankment, London SE1 7UJ
Telephone: 0207 564 2323
The names and addresses of members of the
Electrical Contractors’ Associations can be
obtained direct from:
ECA, Esca House, Palace Court,
London W2 4HY
Telephone: 0207 313 4800
ECA of Scotland, 23 Heriot Row,
Edinburgh EH3 6EW
Telephone: 0131 225 7221
In CASE of DIffICULTY ConSULT An
APPRoVED ELECTRICAL InSTALLATIon
ConTRACToR (WHo MAY BE THE LoCAL
ELECTRICITY CoMPAnY). IT IS DAnGERoUS
To ATTEMPT MoDIfICATIonS AnD
ADDITIonS YoURSELf. LAMPHoLDER-
PLUGS (BAYonET CAP ADAPToRS) SHoULD
noT BE USED In AnY CIRCUMSTAnCES
GEnERAToR GUIDELInES
Your motorhome can be used with a generator
provided these guidelines are met:
• Lack of regular servicing can be the cause
of most generator problems, gensets
under 2kW are mainly dependent on
engine speed for output frequency and
voltage. Poor or no servicing may cause
the engine speed governor to run the
genset to fast. Therefore, frequency
and output voltage can rise above the
specification of the machine data plate i.e.
230V at 50Hz. This may cause damage
to electrical/electronic equipment (such as
battery chargers).
• A generator should always run for a few
minutes prior to connection with the
motorhome electrics, to allow it to warm
up and the output to settle to a steady
level.
• The AC output of generators is often
derived from an AC alternator, rectified to
DC then inverted back to AC. In essence
this means the output sinewave may not
run sophisticated electronics efficiently.
Some of the new wave of gensets are
more sophisticated in their production of
a sinewave output and are more suited to
run electronic equipment.
• If in doubt consult your genset dealer or
manufacturer for advice.
connecting
services
