Motorhome EHU Basics

Inspect the full length of the cable for:

• Cuts, splits or abrasions to the outer sheath.
• Crushing, flattening or impact damage.
• Exposed inner insulation or conductors.
• Signs of overheating, melting or scorching.
• Excessive twisting, kinking or stretching.
• Contamination from oil, chemicals or fuel.
• UV degradation or deterioration due to age.

Acceptable Standard:
The cable should be clean, flexible and free from any damage that could compromise its insulation or mechanical strength.

Inspect for:

• Cracked or damaged casing.
• Secure cable gland.
• Straight, undamaged pins.
• No signs of burning or overheating.
• No corrosion on pins.
• Secure internal wiring (where inspection is possible).
• Correct operation of the locking collar.
• Rubber seals in good condition.

Acceptable Standard:
The plug should be mechanically sound with clean, undamaged pins and secure cable retention.

Inspect for:

• Cracked or damaged casing.
• Secure cable gland.
• Clean electrical contacts.
• No corrosion.
• No evidence of overheating.
• Locking mechanism functioning correctly.
• Weather seals intact.
• Connector free from dirt and moisture.

Acceptable Standard:
The connector should lock securely onto the vehicle inlet and provide adequate protection against water ingress.

Confirm:

• Cable is the correct orange colour for outdoor use.
• Rated for 230V, 16A operation.
• Manufactured using 3-core flexible cable (typically 2.5 mm² conductors).
• Suitable for outdoor environments.

Verify:

• Cable can be fully uncoiled before use.
• Connectors fit securely without excessive force.
• No strain is placed on either end when connected.
• Cable routing will not create a trip hazard or risk of vehicle damage.

Inspect storage condition:

• Cable stored dry.
• No tight bends.
• No heavy objects stored on the cable.
• Connectors protected from dirt and moisture.
• Cable coiled correctly to prevent internal damage.

The EHU cable should only remain in service if:

• No damage affecting insulation is present.
• Connectors are mechanically secure.
• Electrical contacts are clean and free from corrosion.
• There is no evidence of overheating.
• The cable remains suitable for safe outdoor use.

Yes – always fully unwind your EHU cable before using it.

When a cable remains coiled, it can build up heat as electricity passes through it. This heat cannot escape easily, increasing the risk of overheating and, in extreme cases, damaging the cable or causing a fire.

Always:

• Fully unwind the cable.
• Inspect it for damage before use.
• Keep plugs and sockets off the ground where possible.
• Use a quality 16A CEE hook-up cable designed for caravans and motorhomes.

For most UK campsites, 25 metres is the standard length and will cover almost every pitch.

If you regularly travel in Europe, carrying two 25-metre cables (50 metres total) is often more practical than one very long cable. It gives you greater flexibility and avoids having unnecessary cable lying around when it’s not needed.

Yes, but only if absolutely necessary.

Joining two cables is generally safe when using proper caravan or motorhome CEE connectors, but there are a few important points to remember:

• Use good quality waterproof connectors.
• Ensure both cables are rated for 16 amps.
• Fully unwind both cables.
• Keep the connection off the ground and protected from standing water.
• Check the connection regularly during use.

Some campsites do not allow joined cables, considering them a potential safety risk, so always check the site’s rules.

Remember that very long cable runs can also cause a small voltage drop, particularly if you’re running high-powered appliances.

Usually yes—but it depends on your motorhome’s charging system.

Modern motorhomes generally have intelligent battery chargers that switch to a maintenance or float charge once the batteries are full. These are designed to be left connected for extended periods.

Advantages:

• Keeps leisure batteries charged.
• Keeps the motorhome ready to use.
• Allows appliances to operate without draining the batteries.

Things to consider:

• Older chargers may continuously charge the batteries, shortening their life.
• Batteries still benefit from occasional use and cycling.
• Leaving appliances switched on unnecessarily wastes electricity.
• As with any electrical installation, there is always a small fire risk, although this is very low if everything is maintained correctly.

If you’re storing the motorhome for several months, check your manufacturer’s recommendations.

Sometimes.

Many European campsites now use the same 16A blue CEE socket as the UK, so often no adapter is needed.

However, some countries and smaller sites still use domestic sockets or different connectors, so it’s worth carrying a selection of adapters.

Things to check include:

• Plug type.
• Voltage (normally 230V across Europe).
• Current rating.
• Weatherproof connections.

Occasionally you’ll find a campsite where the live and neutral wires are reversed (known as reverse polarity).

Most modern motorhome appliances will continue to work safely, but many owners carry a simple polarity tester to check the supply.

If reverse polarity is detected, a polarity-reversing adapter can be used if required.

If your hook-up suddenly loses power, don’t panic. Work through these simple checks:

• 1. Switch everything off
  Disconnect the hook-up safely before investigating.
• 2. Check for overload
  Running several high-power appliances together (kettle, microwave, electric heating and water heater) may exceed the campsite’s supply.
• 3. Check your appliances
  A faulty appliance can trip the supply. Disconnect everything and reconnect items one at a time.
• 4. Check your hook-up cable
  Look for:

• Damaged insulation
• Burn marks
• Loose plugs
• Water ingress

• 5. Reset the RCD or circuit breaker
  If everything appears normal, reset your motorhome’s RCD or breaker.
• 6. Check the campsite bollard
  Sometimes the campsite’s breaker has tripped rather than your own system. Contact the site staff if necessary.
• 7. Still no power?
  If the supply continues to trip, stop using the hook-up and have the motorhome inspected by a qualified technician.

Yes, but try to:

• Avoid creating a trip hazard.
• Keep plugs and sockets out of puddles.
• Avoid sharp edges or places where vehicles may drive over the cable.
• Coil any unused cable loosely rather than leaving large loops across the pitch.

Not every campsite supplies the same amount of power.

If you’re on a 6A supply, running the kettle and electric heating together will probably trip the supply.

Usually yes—but it depends on your motorhome’s charging system.

Modern motorhomes generally have intelligent battery chargers that switch to a maintenance or float charge once the batteries are full. These are designed to be left connected for extended periods.

Advantages:

• Keeps leisure batteries charged.
• Keeps the motorhome ready to use.
• Allows appliances to operate without draining the batteries.

Things to consider:

• Older chargers may continuously charge the batteries, shortening their life.
• Batteries still benefit from occasional use and cycling.
• Leaving appliances switched on unnecessarily wastes electricity.
• As with any electrical installation, there is always a small fire risk, although this is very low if everything is maintained correctly.

If you’re storing the motorhome for several months, check your manufacturer’s recommendations.

Sometimes.

Many European campsites now use the same 16A blue CEE socket as the UK, so often no adapter is needed.

However, some countries and smaller sites still use domestic sockets or different connectors, so it’s worth carrying a selection of adapters.

Things to check include:

• Plug type.
• Voltage (normally 230V across Europe).
• Current rating.
• Weatherproof connections.

Occasionally you’ll find a campsite where the live and neutral wires are reversed (known as reverse polarity).

Most modern motorhome appliances will continue to work safely, but many owners carry a simple polarity tester to check the supply.

If reverse polarity is detected, a polarity-reversing adapter can be used if required.

If your hook-up suddenly loses power, don’t panic. Work through these simple checks:

• 1. Switch everything off
  Disconnect the hook-up safely before investigating.
• 2. Check for overload
  Running several high-power appliances together (kettle, microwave, electric heating and water heater) may exceed the campsite’s supply.
• 3. Check your appliances
  A faulty appliance can trip the supply. Disconnect everything and reconnect items one at a time.
• 4. Check your hook-up cable
  Look for:

• Damaged insulation
• Burn marks
• Loose plugs
• Water ingress

• 5. Reset the RCD or circuit breaker
  If everything appears normal, reset your motorhome’s RCD or breaker.
• 6. Check the campsite bollard
  Sometimes the campsite’s breaker has tripped rather than your own system. Contact the site staff if necessary.
• 7. Still no power?
  If the supply continues to trip, stop using the hook-up and have the motorhome inspected by a qualified technician.