Electrical Experts

[BigDaddy6290]

Electricity scares the hell out of me. One of my good friends is a 35 year IBEW guy and my son is a first year apprentice. I’m covered.

[Vicr]

Originally Posted by BigDaddy6290

Electricity scares the hell out of me. One of my good friends is a 35 year IBEW guy and my son is a first year apprentice. I’m covered.

Which local. I belong to Local 46, Seattle.

[eagle55]

I'm a retired union electrician with 45,000 hours experience, mostly involved in heavy commercial and industrial work, mainly in Alaska, but also some in WA, OR, and CA. Been retired for most of the past 15 years..

[kcconawa]

Originally Posted by Cavie

I for one have it highlighted in my signature to keep down a lot of conversation on whether I know what I'm talking about from time to time. Stops a lot of argument from DIY wannabe's that don't know the codes and give out bad information. I go out of my way to stop unsafe and non code compliant information on the internet. I get lots of PM requests from folks that see it in my signature.

It is not a bragging thing with me. it's a need to inform whomever I am talking to.

Is anything in an RV for any company wired to code?

[wags999]

[QUOTE=Cavie;869298]You almost got it right. Actually what we ran was called 10/3 plain. Black, white and a green, White was a hot leg


Actually White is always a neutral...in this case black would be hot and green would be ground.

[madmaxmutt]

I more often hear about problems with 12V systems on RVs. While I am sure the guys/gals on here know more than most, the majority of the electricians I have talked to, don't know a thing about 12V systems.

[JimD]

A college degree is only a starting point for knowledge. It means you were good in school. Maybe some of what you learned will come in handy possibly on a game show.

OK, nothing against those who make it through but what you typically learn in school is only the start of what you need to learn in real life. I can relate to both sides of the equation as my field was electronics. In addition to being a student I also taught a technical class and can tell you for a fact that when the students leave class they may think they know it all but in fact, they don't.

After class most of the techs would end up calling our support help line for assistance in repairing the electronic devices they were taught. They could have been shown exactly the problem/fix during class but from what I have heard, you really only retain 20% of what you are taught in class.

You really only learn through actually working in your field. I can tell you that once you tear your hair out working on a problem, you will retain that info far better than by sitting in a class trying not to nod off.

Yes I have a degree in electronics but I was taught vacuum tubes. Just how relevant is that degree these days. I had to teach myself transistors and ICs mostly as a hobby. For me, personally, I tend to learn more in a non-class environment.

My son is a licensed electrician and I bet he has learned a lot by on the job experience.

If a so called "expert" is only expert from a degree then their knowledge may be lacking. A degree followed by many years in the real world will make you a true expert.

Sorry for the babbling. I have been reading this post for some time and just had to vent. I feel better now.

[RetiredOne]

Originally Posted by JimD

If a so called "expert" is only expert from a degree then their knowledge may be lacking. A degree followed by many years in the real world will make you a true expert.

Is anyone ever a "true expert"? That's usually a self-proclaimed title.

In reality, if someone considers themself an "expert", they should be continually learning and adding to their experience everyday. This would continue up to the day they put you in a pine box.

An "expert" should be recognized by the accurate information they share, and shouldn't have to self-proclaim with many of their posts.

[BigDaddy6290]

Originally Posted by Vicr

Which local. I belong to Local 46, Seattle.

Both are 46. My son is at Sequoya right now.

[Cavie]

Originally Posted by kcconawa

Is anything in an RV for any company wired to code?

Yes surprisingly it is pretty much to code. Sometimes they overdo it like putting the Microwave on the GFI because the outlet is within 6' of a water source. If they choose to do that the Micro needs to be on it's own circuit. There is an entire section in the NEC devoted to RV's, and campgrounds. They get away with those cheap punch down outlets because all the connections are contained d not exposed. Peds are to code and they have a Location code when installed. I see that code violated a lot.

[Cavie]

Originally Posted by RetiredOne

Is anyone ever a "true expert"? That's usually a self-proclaimed title.

In reality, if someone considers themself an "expert", they should be continually learning and adding to their experience everyday. This would continue up to the day they put you in a pine box.

An "expert" should be recognized by the accurate information they share, and shouldn't have to self-proclaim with many of their posts.

Having the "Expert" (as you call it) designation in my signature shuts up the DIYer newbie when he sees he is talking to a master electrician. I do follow the electrical threads to learn all I can about how the RV's are wired. Believe me there is a wide range if differences. That's why I wish the Forum's required Make, year and Model # in the signature.

[MONKYBIZ]

An old timer once told me "An "Expert" is someone who learns more and more about less and less until they know everything about nothing".

Where I work, we have a few equipment engineers who grew up on working farms. The combination of of formal training with that hands on "fix it up before the rain comes" background of practical application has been unbeatable. They are the ones I defer to when making repairs out on the road. I don't crack on them with lame engineer jokes too often... unless I find a really good one!

[Bobwired]

Originally Posted by Vicr

I build and design electrical distribution and control systems for a living and have done so for 37 years. Every "electrical" thread I see here has incorrect information in one or more posts. I'm just curious as to who actually is a licensed electrical engineer or licensed electrician here in this forum.

I am a retired Master Electrician with 42 years of IBEW service. The electrical trade can humble anyone any day of the week! Many electricians have they’re preferred niches in our trade. Mine was not DC wiring. I’mStill learning in our Class C. And appreciate Mike Sokill’s RV electricity articles on YouTube.

[djglover7]

OK, I know very little. Thank you for letting me get that off my chest.


Question:


My cargo trailer/toy-hauler had AC power installed by the original owner. Looks just like a small panel you see in a garage or shop. The lead from the RV 30 amp has 3 conductors, black, white, and green. I was told by someone to construct two(2) grounding/neutral blocks inside the RV panel and then connect them. It was referred to a "floating" ground. All receptacles are grounded with neutral.


Am I going to die?

[Conservationman]

As long as you are all here, can you tell me

Should the neutral be bonded to the ground in the camper, in the box or at the transformer?
Wally

[Vicr]

I started this thread with “Electrical Experts”. What was behind that was a sarcastic meaning to all the people that post electrical “advice” which is incorrect. There is a lot of negativity here aimed at some of us professionals in the electrical industry. I don’t feel that tone is necessary or solicited. There are professionals of all vocations that state their qualifications why do some of you feel it necessary to try and put down professionals who may have listed their qualification here. It’s easy to hide behind your keyboard but would you same people say that in person to whomever you are aiming your negative comments towards? Is there anything to be gained by putting others down or implying they are something they’re not but that’s what your perception is of them?

[Midnightmoon]

Thread closed at least for the time being to allow the site team the opportunity to sort through some of these comments and posts.

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[Midnightmoon]

Thread Open.

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[Vicr]

Originally Posted by Conservationman

As long as you are all here, can you tell me

Should the neutral be bonded to the ground in the camper, in the box or at the transformer?
Wally

This is an interesting point, it all starts with the code phrase “service” is the converter/ panel the service for an RV or the pedestal that we plug into. I’ll dig out my code book and get back to you on this. I have several electrical inspections coming soon on a high rise project I’m doing in Seattle and I’ll ask a few of the inspectors how they interpret the code.

[JimD]

Originally Posted by MONKYBIZ

An old timer once told me "An "Expert" is someone who learns more and more about less and less until they know everything about nothing".

That should be a T shirt.