Plugs & ENEL

As some may remember from a previous post (can't find it!) our boiler only works if the plug is put in the 'correct' way up.  The plug is removed to prevent damage to the boiler by lightening strikes and the 'top' is marked by a piece of coloured tape.

On a recent visit I carefully put the plug in the 'correct' way up.  Would the boiler work?  No way!!  We spent a rather chilly and despondent night.   

The following day the engineer arrived and had the boiler going in a trice.  How?  'Ah ha' he said 'you had put the plug in the wrong way round'!!!     

So I pointed out the tape to show the 'correct' way round.  'Ah ha' he said again 'sometimes, after a big storm, ENEL changes the polarity of the mains supply and when they do you need to put the plug in the other way up'.

Did you know that?  Only in Italy!!!

ghiro wrote:As some may remember from a previous post (can't find it!) our boiler only works if the plug is put in the 'correct' way up.  The plug is removed to prevent damage to the boiler by lightening strikes and the 'top' is marked by a piece of coloured tape.On a recent visit I carefully put the plug in the 'correct' way up.  Would the boiler work?  No way!!  We spent a rather chilly and despondent night.   The following day the engineer arrived and had the boiler going in a trice.  How?  'Ah ha' he said 'you had put the plug in the wrong way round'!!!     

So I pointed out the tape to show the 'correct' way round.  'Ah ha' he said again 'sometimes, after a big storm, ENEL changes the polarity of the mains supply and when they do you need to put the plug in the other way up'.

Did you know that?  Only in Italy!!!

Worth a repeat... simply superb!       

I am useless with electricity but this is just RIDICULOUS !!!!! If I change a light bulb, I switch off the electric lights via a fuse box near the door marked 'lights', it works but it also switches the telephone off !

April 1st is it ?

V

Italian wiring leaves a lot to be desired, well the old stuff does... But switching off at the fuse box to change a light bulb seems H&S going too far... It surprises me little that the phone electric socket is on the same circuit as the lights.

stevegwmonkseaton wrote:Italian wiring leaves a lot to be desired, well the old stuff does... But switching off at the fuse box to change a light bulb seems H&S going too far... It surprises me little that the phone electric socket is on the same circuit as the lights.

Nothing surprises me with Italian Electrics..... I'm just grateful if it works. 

Vicino wrote:I am useless with electricity but this is just RIDICULOUS !!!!! If I change a light bulb, I switch off the electric lights via a fuse box near the door marked 'lights', it works but it also switches the telephone off !April 1st is it ?V

Is it not easier, just to turn the light off at the switch!!! Sounds like the phone has been wired into the lighting circuit, must have been a very competent electrician