Is Your RV Surge Protector Safe?

Welcome to another episode of Todd’s Two-Minute Tech Tip Tuesday, brought to you by the National RV Training Academy—the largest hands-on RV training academy in America. Before we dive into today’s video, don’t forget to hit the Subscribe button to stay updated on all our latest tech tips. Thank you for your support!

Addressing a Common Concern: Connecting to a Live Pedestal

This week, we’re tackling a question from Mr. Dave Gotham. He asked, “When camping and the pedestal is live with no way to turn the power off, what is the correct way to connect with a surge protector?” This is an excellent question, and it’s crucial for ensuring the safety and longevity of your RV’s electrical system.

The Challenge of Connecting to a Live Pedestal

In some RV parks, you might encounter pedestals where you cannot turn off the breaker before connecting your RV. This creates a challenge because connecting to a live electrical source can cause serious issues if not done correctly.

Why This Matters

Electricity moves at nearly the speed of light. When you connect your RV to a live pedestal, the electrons are ready to flow instantaneously. If your connection isn’t solid, you risk burning up the contact points. This can lead to damage to your RV’s electrical system or, worse, create a fire hazard.

Steps to Safely Connect to a Live Pedestal

1. Turn Off All Appliances Inside the RV:
   • Ensure that all high-demand appliances, such as air conditioners and water heaters, are turned off.
   • The microwave and other small appliances typically don’t need attention because they don’t draw power immediately upon connection.
2. Manage Thermostats and Other Controls:
   • Thermostats run on 12 volts and can trigger appliances like air conditioners as soon as you connect to shore power. Make sure the thermostat is set to off.
   • For appliances that run on 12 volts but use 120 volts for operation (like the water heater), make sure these are also turned off.
3. Using a Surge Protector:
   • If you have a surge protector, it will have a preset delay when you plug it in. This delay checks the voltage, Hertz, neutral, and ground before allowing power through. This gives you a buffer to ensure a safe connection.
   • Despite this, it’s still crucial to have all heavy loads inside the RV turned off to avoid any immediate power surge.

Common Concerns

• Refrigerators: Whether or not to turn off the refrigerator is a personal choice. It draws between 150 to 500 watts. If you decide to turn it off, make sure to turn it back on to avoid food spoilage.
• Creating New Habits: Consistently turning appliances on and off can lead to new habits. Always double-check your appliances after connecting to ensure they are set correctly.

Key Takeaway

Electricity moves almost at the speed of light, and connecting to a live pedestal requires caution. Turn off all heavy loads inside your RV before connecting, and use a surge protector to help manage the initial power flow. This approach will help you avoid damaging your RV’s electrical system and ensure your appliances last longer.