Electric hook up questions

[PinkyCheesy]

We like camping but never use electricity usually. We are going to Germany in August and would like to have power in the tent but I am confused about what power cable we need. The camp website says something about 6A electricity, camping websites say most sites use new Euro plugs but some might use older ones, can we get one cable that plugs into any hook-up? And what do we then need in order to plug in our travel kettle etc (extension lead?). Am worried about it all being outdoors and dangerous! Please explain in words of one syllable :)

Not used ehu abroad so not sure about what adapter you need. But in the uk I use a proper camping ehu lead, they cost about £50 and make sure you get one from a proper shop, not cheap off eBay. Mine came with three plug sockets on the end so I just plug stuff into one of the sockets. The cable is really long, one end plugs into the ehu post on the site, then the cable comes into the tent so the end with the sockets is in the tent.

This is what your connector looks like Pinky. I would class this as the "new" plug.
You want something like this. Under the blue plastic covers are your normal 3 pin sockets to plug your stuff in.
A 6A supply means any device more than about 1400 watts will trip out your electric and mean a visit to the site office for them to switch it back on again. So depending on its wattage you'll probably not be able to use a hairdryer on your tent supply and also check out your electric kettle and heater - basically anything that sucks, blows or heats up will take bigger power. It is usually printed on the bottom of any electrical equipment. Anything with 1400W or a lower number will be fine.

Good articles to read:

www.ukcampsite.co.uk/chatter/display_topic_threads.asp?ForumID=7&TopicID=207267&SearchPagePosition=1&search=germany&searchMode=allwords&searchIn=Topic&forum=7&searchSort=dateDESC&ReturnPage=Search

www.scribd.com/doc/88272890/Caravan-and-Camping-Hookups-ABC

The connector will be housed inside a box affair onsite and the connector is like that to protect it from the weather. The orange cable tends to be armoured as well.

Thanks all! I am less confused now, and that was a great link for buying a cable. I think I need to contact the German campsite and find out if they use this type of plug, or a different size (gah pesky Europeans ). I promise I won't take my straighteners or panini grill and blow the site fuse