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bobkatmsu's avatar
bobkatmsu
Explorer
May 05, 2013

Fried A/C, 2 TV's and micro wave-my fault or electricians.

I have 2007 Safari Simba, 38'gas. It has 50 amp service. I asked my electrician to install a 30 amp outlet at my home so I could plug it in the night before a trip and cool down refrigeration and run a/c. When I plugged it in today turned on a/c heard a weird noise and smelled smoke. Unplugged immediately. Started generator and found front a/c unit not working, 2 TV's and micro-wave not working. Called electrical company. The electrician on call happened to be the electrician that installed the outlet. When I described problem he said,"that's not a 120 is it. I was told to put in a 220." When I ordered the outlet I did not say anything about 120 or 220, it never crossed my mind, to me it was common sense. Obviously I'm not an electrician, but I would be interested in hearing from a couple to let me know if this is all my fault or does the electrician bear some of the responsibility?
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  • BarbaraOK's avatar
    BarbaraOK
    Explorer
    May 05, 2013
    Your both responsible, the electrician for not making sure he understood what was needed and you for not giving him the corrct information. If you ahowed him the end of the 30 amp RV cord, and said a 30 amp outlet, but did not specific a 120 volt circuit, he assume a 240 circuit based upon the end of the cord. Bad assumption, bit this is a house. And why didn't you have a surge protector on the end of that cord before you plugged in? Owning an RV means you also have to do our homework and become knowledgable about your rig.

    Barb
  • AllegroD's avatar
    AllegroD
    Nomad
    May 05, 2013
    What did you tell the electrician? Did you say you wanted a 30amp circuit? You got one. Was the electrician licensed? Did you tell the electrician you wanted a 30amp, 120v or RV plug? If the latter he is responsible.
  • shaneperch's avatar
    shaneperch
    Explorer
    May 05, 2013
    byways wrote:
    He bears EVERY BIT of the responsibility because the outlet for a 30 amp RV plug is code-specific. He wired it wrong. No excuse. Nada. Zilp.

    Being an electrician working mostly in heavy industrial, I do say this statement is correct. Every receptacle has a NEMA number and voltage and amp ratings. He is responsible for the damage done and his insurance will have to cover the A/C unit TVs and whatever else that was fried. He most likely hooked up the outlet with the two hots thinking it is a 220v unit.
  • ScottG's avatar
    ScottG
    Nomad
    May 05, 2013
    Sadly this same scenario has been posted here many times.
  • 2oldman's avatar
    2oldman
    Explorer II
    May 05, 2013
    I have no idea who's responsible. I'm beginning to think home outlets are way more dangerous than campground power.

    Lesson to anyone out there getting an "electrician" to put in a 30a socket:

    Test it with a voltmeter BEFORE plugging in.
  • ScottG's avatar
    ScottG
    Nomad
    May 05, 2013
    byways wrote:
    He bears EVERY BIT of the responsibility because the outlet for a 30 amp RV plug is code-specific. He wired it wrong. No excuse. Nada. Zilp.


    X2. The travel trailer specific receptacle is NEVER wired with 220V and to do so is totally against code.
    The electrician is responsible for the damage.
  • midnightsadie's avatar
    midnightsadie
    Explorer II
    May 05, 2013
    if the electric company who did this does not pick up the bill colpletely get your home and auto insurance company involved.
  • Jay_Pat's avatar
    Jay_Pat
    Explorer
    May 05, 2013
    You said you didn't specify.....
    I wouldn't count on an electrician automatically knowing there is a difference.
    When I ordered mine, I gave the serviceman a wiring diagram, specified 120v and checked his work before I plugged in the RV. No problems.
    Pat
  • byways's avatar
    byways
    Explorer
    May 05, 2013
    He bears EVERY BIT of the responsibility because the outlet for a 30 amp RV plug is code-specific. He wired it wrong. No excuse. Nada. Zilp.

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