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Is Your RV Surge Protector Safe?

June 4, 2024
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Tony Flammia
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Welcome to another episode of Toddโ€™s Two-Minute Tech Tip Tuesday, brought to you by the National RV Training Academyโ€”the largest hands-on RV training academy in America. Before we dive into todayโ€™s video, donโ€™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, weโ€™re tackling a question from Mr. Dave Gotham. He asked, โ€œWhen 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?โ€ This is an excellent question, and itโ€™s crucial for ensuring the safety and longevity of your RVโ€™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 isnโ€™t solid, you risk burning up the contact points. This can lead to damage to your RVโ€™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 donโ€™t need attention because they donโ€™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, itโ€™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 RVโ€™s electrical system and ensure your appliances last longer.

Is Your RV Surge Protector Safe?

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