You arrive at a campsite or a site with electricity, spot the post, and want to plug in your motorhome to charge the battery and use 230V mains power. It seems trivial, but connecting to the external mains has its own technique and, above all, its own safety rules, because we are talking about 230V, which is genuinely dangerous. Let's look at how to do it properly.
The standard plug: the blue CEE
Most campsites and sites across Europe use the CEE connector (the typical blue industrial three-pin plug: live, neutral and earth). Your motorhome usually has a female CEE external socket, and you need a cable with CEE connectors to link it to the post. It's the standard, so with a CEE cable you can plug in almost anywhere.
The right cable
- Outdoor-rated and hard-wearing: designed to withstand the elements and being walked on.
- Sufficient cross-section for the current and length (a long, thin cable causes voltage drop).
- Reasonable length: around 25 metres tends to be a good standard for reaching the post from your pitch.
- Three conductors (including earth): never use cables without an earth conductor.
Also carry an adapter or two (from CEE to a standard domestic Schuko plug and vice versa) in case somewhere has a different socket. But always use earthed connections.
Safety: earthing and the RCD
When you connect to 230V, personal safety depends on the earth connection and the residual current device (RCD) in your installation. Make sure your motorhome has its own RCD and circuit breaker, and that the cable and connectors are in good condition. We go into detail in earthing and electrical safety. If in any doubt, call a professional: the 230V side isn't something to improvise.
Good practice when connecting
- Connect the cable to the motorhome first, then to the post; disconnect in the reverse order.
- Unwind the whole cable (a coiled cable can heat up if a lot of current passes through it).
- Protect the connections from rain and don't leave them in puddles.
- Check the amperage the post provides; some limit the current.
In summary
To connect to a campsite's mains you need an outdoor-rated CEE cable with a good cross-section and an earth conductor, plus a 230V installation with an RCD; always do it with earthed connections and, if in doubt, with a professional. The step you can take today: get yourself a good earthed CEE cable and a couple of adapters, and check that your 230V installation has an RCD; with that, you can plug in safely almost anywhere in Europe.
