Protection for Shore Power Electrical Faults

[IowaTraveler]

We had a scary experience with faulty electrical power at our campsite. I've never had a serious issue with electrical hook-up at a campsite for the 10 years we've camped with a travel trailer....up until now. We discovered we had an issue the hard way; when our dogs got shocked as they climbed up the metal stairs into the trailer. I had no idea why they were yelping (LOUDLY) when they touched the stairs, so I put my hand on it to see if there was glass or something that I didn't see. That's when I got shocked. Incredibly, the entire frame of the trailer was hot, measuring 112 vac to ground! After some troubleshooting, I discovered that somehow the shore power pedestal equipment ground/casing was hot. Long story short, when they were upgrading the TV cable system, the installer screwed the plastic cable box to the electrical panel and punctured one of the hot legs inside the pedestal. The problem was fixed quickly, but I've decided that a portable surge protector/power diagnostic/monitor would be a good investment for future protection. I want something that will alert power faults, preferably disconnecting the supply side to the trailer. Thoughts??

[Riverbug]

Wow! That story makes me feel good about the investment I made for our new camper. I hadn't used one in all the years we RV'd in the past but decided to spend the money on one last summer. I wondered how worthwhile it would be. Now I know, one never knows when it might just come in handy. Glad to hear nobody (furry or other) got hurt!

[FT4NOW]

Progressive EMS is a good choice, comes in 30 or 50 A and hardwired or portable options. Search the forum and you can see plenty of discussion on the units.

Sent from my SM-G950U using Tapatalk

[luvmyrv]

Very good idea....Take a look at the Hughes Power Watchdog available in 30 or 50 amp, hard wired or portable. Hard wired will mean having to do some electrical modifications. The Hughes has a power shut off feature, they don't all have that feature. Research the Hughes for yourself, many on here own them. You'll get votes for the Progressive Industries as well.

[trailrydr]

Very good idea....Take a look at the Hughes Power Watchdog available in 30 or 50 amp, hard wired or portable. Hard wired will mean having to do some electrical modifications. The Hughes has a power shut off feature, they don't all have that feature. Research the Hughes for yourself, many on here own them. You'll get votes for the Progressive Industries as well.

I too use the Hughes Watchdog

[traveldawg]

Most power protection devices, if not all, that you can get for your RV (including my Progressive Industries EMS-HW50C) will not protect you from a Bootleg Ground. That is what you and your dogs experienced.

To learn more about this and to be sure you don't get electrocuted by some dummy who thinks they know how to wire campground pedestals Google and research Bootleg Ground. I think Mike Holt use to host a web site called noshockzone.org but I think he has moved on (or got commercialized).

Then go buy a non-contact circuit tester and use it every time you connect your RV to shore power (or work on anything AC electrical).

Stay safe.

[luvmyrv]

Most power protection devices, if not all, that you can get for your RV (including my Progressive Industries EMS-HW50C) will not protect you from a Bootleg Ground. That is what you and your dogs experienced.

To learn more about this and to be sure you don't get electrocuted by some dummy who thinks they know how to wire campground pedestals Google and research Bootleg Ground. I think Mike Holt use to host a web site called noshockzone.org but I think he has moved on (or got commercialized).

Then go buy a non-contact circuit tester and use it every time you connect your RV to shore power (or work on anything AC electrical).

That's interesting, I bet not many people would even think of using a voltage tester pen in such a way!

[Richter]

I always check the pedestal first, before I do anything else, with my non-contact voltage tester. Very cheap insurance and would have notified you, immediately, of the issue that you encountered. After it test okay, then I plug in my EMS to check for any other potential issues.

[Riverbug]

I always check the pedestal first, before I do anything else, with my non-contact voltage tester. Very cheap insurance and would have notified you, immediately, of the issue that you encountered. After it test okay, then I plug in my EMS to check for any other potential issues.

Interesting. So you just check anywhere on the pedestal itself to see if it is hot, then continue with the standard checks? Never occurred to me. Think I'll throw my non-contact tester in the camper...

[traveldawg]

Interesting. So you just check anywhere on the pedestal itself to see if it is hot, then continue with the standard checks? Never occurred to me. Think I'll throw my non-contact tester in the camper...

Just turn it on and touch it to any metallic surface such as a pedestal's electrical box and your rig's frame. You can always test it to be sure it is working and the batteries are OK by touching the shorter of the 2 slots on an electrical outlet.