Powering up your RV

Jopopsy · 08-12-2015, 10:57 AM

My manual tells me to turn off the main circuit breaker in my panel before hooking into power. I've never done this before on any RV I've ever had.

I plug my SurgeGuard into my Hughes Autoformer into my RV. The SurgeGuard has a 2 or 2.5 min delay, than it energizes everything downstream.

Should I be turning off the main breaker beforehand? I assume the same rule would apply to running on the onboard Onan?

mike837go · 08-12-2015, 11:03 AM

I don't recall reading that.

I just plug in. The converter and the microwave are the only things that are always connected to the 120V cord.

The only electrical safety step I take is to unplug from the genset and let it run free (cool down) for about 30 seconds before shutting the engine off.

sebring96hbg · 08-12-2015, 11:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jopopsy

My manual tells me to turn off the main circuit breaker in my panel before hooking into power. I've never done this before on any RV I've ever had.

(SNIP)

I do this to avoid arcing or other electrical gremlins from occurring as a safety precaution.

BJR · 08-12-2015, 11:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sebring96hbg

I do this to avoid arcing or other electrical gremlins from occurring as a safety precaution.

I do it if I'm plugging or unplugging from an extension cord but if I'm at a site with a power pole I just rely on that breaker.

**Mustang65** · 08-12-2015, 12:00 PM

We travel with the TT running off of the Inverter and when we get to the CG, I turn off the fridge and shut down the inverter. I check for a solid shore power cable connection, voltage and proper output. Once I am connected to 110, I go in and turn on the refrigerator back on. I have a whole-house surge suppressor wired in (inside TT). We have been doing it this way for years and seems to be working fine. No real load on the 110 when connected.
Don

Flyrotor · 08-12-2015, 04:30 PM

I always flip the breaker off at the campground post electrical panel, once my cord is plugged in I turn it back on

Jopopsy · 08-12-2015, 04:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Flyrotor

I always flip the breaker off at the campground post electrical panel, once my cord is plugged in I turn it back on

That's what I've always done too. Okay looks like I'm doing what you guys have all been doing.

tugboat95 · 08-12-2015, 07:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Flyrotor

I always flip the breaker off at the campground post electrical panel, once my cord is plugged in I turn it back on

Same here, but my manual says the same thing. I think it's where the lawyers got involved.

314BHDS · 08-12-2015, 08:57 PM

I do the same,shut main off at campground,plug in and turn breaker back on.If theres a issue that bad it would still get the converter when you turn the main breaker back on.

MadDad · 08-12-2015, 10:43 PM

The SurgeGuard should protect you, any way I hope it does as I use one also.

**norty1** · 08-13-2015, 05:17 AM

I have camped in cg's that had no breaker at the cg pedestal. I know it is a requirement for most electrical codes, but that is the only time I turn off the breaker in the rig before hooking up. My Progressive Power Monitor indicated all was well.

Last place like that, I found the box nearby and used it when it came time to leave.

namusmc65 · 08-13-2015, 06:18 AM

I also turn off power at the pedestal before I plug in. Don't flip breaker inside unit. Turn power on at pedestal after I'm hooked up. Hard wire surge protector still has 2 minute delay built in before letting power in to the unit. NO problems what so ever.

AugerN · 08-16-2015, 12:25 PM

I always use the pedestal breaker as well. However, I run the gen while driving. Once I arrive I plug in and then turn the generator off so no interruption of power. I do the reverse when leaving. I have, however, had some on here caution me that this may be bad and that I should turn off the breaker in between switching sources. Hard on the inverter maybe? I am curious to hear others that may have had issues secondary to doing the same or is this just recommended as a "best practice"?

us71na · 08-16-2015, 05:39 PM

I check the power at the pedestal with an outlet tester and check the voltage with a VOM. Then I turn off the breaker in the pedestal plug in my power cord and turn the breaker back on.

Seann45 · 08-17-2015, 06:30 AM

Breakers are not "light switches" and should not be used as such.. You have a surge guard that is enough.. they make a great product.

us71na · 08-17-2015, 10:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Seann45

Breakers are not "light switches" and should not be used as such.. You have a surge guard that is enough.. they make a great product.

It is appropriate to switch off breakers before connecting anything to them. They are designed to be used that way. I've seen breakers that were switched on and off daily for more than 40 years still working.

NEC 2011
404.11 Circuit Breakers as Switches. A hand-operable circuit breaker equipped with a lever or handle, or a power-operated circuit breaker capable of being opened by hand in the event of a power failure, shall be permitted to serve as a switch if it has the required number of poles.

Informational Note: See the provisions contained in 240.81 and 240.83.

So according to the NEC, circuit breakers can be used as switches with some provisions.

poohbear · 08-19-2015, 02:23 PM

I allways just shut off breaker in camp box before plugging in.

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