Yes but it only solves part of the issue.
You now have circuit breakers that will break both lines but look a little deeper. The light switches are now in the neutral line not the phase. 13A sockets fitted in the van are now reverse polarity,
Yes the light switches are in the neutral and what difference does that make, the light still goes off with the switch open and on with the switch closed and in some countries thats the way they are wired.
so the fuse in the plug is in the neutral not the phase.
There is still a fuse in the circuit protecting against overload.
At best some equipment will not work, at worse take the scenario that someone has something plugged in while the family is out. It develops a fault and the fuse can't blow because the polarity is incorrect. It overheats and causes a fire, or one of the children touch it and get electrocuted.
I cant think of a single reason something will not work, unless it gets its power between phase and earth in which case the RCD will operate regardless of polarity. There is still a fuse in circuit, the fact that it is in the neutral is unlikely to affect its ability to protect against an overload.
Protection against electric shock is by the RCD, not the fuse or MCB
Continental plugs are not fused so it doesn't make any difference to them. DP circuit breakers will mask the problem and give a sense of false security. The only way to ensure safety with a UK wired caravan, motor home, machine etc is to ensure the polarity is correct.
The only difference will be that the 13A socket's switch will be in the neutral and unless you start poking wires in the holes I doubt anyone would ever notice the error. Using DP MCB's adds a tiny little extra protection.
I would not want to be explaining to a coroners court that "I thought it was safe". Look at the opinion of the OP about electricians. Why does he think we spend 4 years learning the trade as an apprentice before qualifying and then have to continually keep up with developments and training???
Complete jerk with that attitude!!
I spend a large proportion of my working day sorting out the mess and mistakes created by so called 'qualified electricians', I find that so many of the electricians I meet put themselves on a pedestal and have the attitude 'I'm a good spark because I've got the tickets'. Qualifications does not equal expert or professional.
I'm not saying all electricians are the same and I don't profess to be the best, indeed I know some excellent ones. I also know some real losers and wonder why they ever get paid or are still getting work.
In my home life absolutely dread having to employ any trade to work for me because I know I will have to sort out something they get wrong and have never got to the end of a job and thought thats spot on, with the exception of one plasterer who was over 70 when he first worked for me.
So if the OP's experience's are the same as mine then I quite understand his comments.
On a site where I was installing av kit several years back A guy spent 2 days trying to wire about 10 intermediate switches in a 2way lighting circuit along a corridor, at the end of the second day I went to his supervisor and offered to do the job for a day's pay, in less than 2 hours I redid ALL of his work on the circuit AND completed it AND only used one 3C&E along the line of switches, somehow he was trying to use 2.
Don't get me Wrong, I don't want to see a system working with reverse polarity or any other inconsistency or fault but I did do some work on a caravan site I lived near and that was followed by a lot of calls to sort something out. What the OP is suggesting is heaven in comparison with much that I saw installed by caraven manufacturers and dealers.
