Shore Power Adapters for European Campsite Hook-Up
Taking a UK campervan to Europe means navigating different hook-up sockets, amperage limits, and occasionally surprising wiring practices. Here is what you need to know and what to carry.
The UK hook-up standard
In the UK, campsites use the blue CEE 17 connector (IEC 60309): a round 3-pin plug with a keyway, rated at 16A and 230V. The colour (blue) indicates 230V AC at 50Hz. This is also the standard across most of Western Europe.
Your van should have a female inlet socket accepting this connector.
European hook-up sockets by country
Most of Western Europe (France, Spain, Portugal, Germany, Netherlands, Belgium, Italy, Austria, Switzerland): Blue CEE 17, 16A, 230V. Same as the UK. Your standard UK hook-up lead works directly with no adapter needed.
Exceptions and variations:
| Country / situation | Socket type | Adapter needed |
|---|---|---|
| Older French campsites | 2-pin Schuko or domestic French socket | CEE17 female to Schuko male |
| Older Italian campsites | CEI 23-50 Italian socket | CEE17 female to Italian male |
| Older German campsites | Schuko (CEE 7/4) | CEE17 female to Schuko male |
| 32A pitches (some European sites) | Blue CEE17 32A | CEE17 16A female to CEE17 32A male adapter |
| 3-phase supplies | Red CEE17 | Do not use — for motorhomes with 3-phase equipment |
| Very old campsites | Various | 13A household adapter as backup |
What adapters to carry
Essential:
-
CEE17 16A female to Schuko male adapter — covers older French and German sites. Available from camping shops and online for £5–15. Some sellers call this a "Continental adapter" or "European camping adapter."
-
UK 13A plug to CEE17 16A female adapter — allows you to use a standard UK household extension lead to reach your hook-up inlet if the campsite lead is too short. Also useful as a backup if your main hook-up lead fails.
Optional but useful: 3. CEE17 16A female to UK 13A socket adapter — allows you to use a European hook-up supply to power UK-plug appliances directly. Useful if camping without a van and staying in a tent with power access.
- Schuko to CEE17 female — for connecting from a Schuko socket to your van's CEE17 inlet.
Amperage limits and what they mean
Most European campsite hook-ups are rated at 6A, 10A, or 16A. The amperage limit determines how much power you can draw simultaneously.
| Supply | Maximum power (230V) | Practical meaning |
|---|---|---|
| 6A | 1,380W | Battery charger only, no kettle/appliances |
| 10A | 2,300W | Battery charger + most small appliances |
| 16A | 3,680W | Comfortable for all typical van loads |
At a 6A site: Turn off the mains battery charger while boiling a kettle. The combined draw will trip the campsite RCD. A 20A Victron charger draws ~300W (1.3A at 230V) — fine on a 6A supply. Adding a 750W kettle (3.3A) takes you to 4.6A total — just within limits. A 1,200W kettle (5.2A) plus the charger would trip the supply.
Earthing differences in Europe
In some European countries (particularly older campsite wiring), the earth connection may be present, absent, or wired differently. If your van's RCD trips immediately on connecting to a European hook-up, the campsite earth may have a fault. Disconnect immediately and report to the site.
Do not use an adapter that removes the earth pin — all campervan 230V systems must have a functioning earth for the RCD to protect correctly.
Voltage and frequency
All of Western Europe uses 230V at 50Hz — same as the UK. Your van's 230V appliances and mains charger work normally throughout Europe without any voltage conversion.
FAQ
Do I need a different hook-up lead for Europe?
In most cases, no — your standard UK blue CEE17 hook-up lead works in France, Spain, Germany, and most other European countries. Carry a Schuko adapter for older sites.
Can I use a standard UK extension lead to extend my hook-up reach?
Yes — use a UK 13A plug to CEE17 female adapter at the campsite post end, run the extension into the van, and use a CEE17 male to UK 13A socket at your van's inlet if needed. Keep extension leads as short as practical and fully unroll them to prevent overheating.
What if the hook-up amperage is lower than my battery charger?
Set your charger to a lower output current. Most smart chargers allow current limiting. On a Victron Blue Smart: use the rotary button or Victron Connect app to reduce charge current to 10A (=140W input from 230V), well within a 6A site supply.