sajohnson
Feb 05, 2013Explorer
RV Grounding and Safety
Recently, on a Yahoo group devoted to the Winnebago View/Itasca Navion, a member posted about a potentially deadly experience he had. In the interest of safety I thought I should post it here:
~~~~~
Night before last, when we docked for the night, I did my usual step of plug in the electric first, then the TV cable. I accidentally brushed the cable outer housing against the square electric box and a huge spark occurred. I immediately unplugged the cord from the power pole and discovered the pole breaker was tripped. Reset breaker and tried again. Everything seemed OK.
Went inside coach and in a short time, smelled electric smoke. Rushed outside and saw a trace of smoke coming from the square electric box below the generator plug. Killed power and unplugged from the plug. Smoke stopped.
Removed the cover from the square box (where the coach plug goes into the inside electric system). What I found scared the begeebers out of me! The black wire had apparently been pressed HARD up against the cover. Over time, the insulator/connector had abraided against the metal cover until it wore through and shorted out. The spark was the result of the metal box being "hot" with the full 30amp potential waiting for a ground. That could have been ME if the cable had not sparked and warned me! Fortunately, this was caught in time to prevent a fire or personal injury through electrocution.
I post this as an advisory for all on the group. We have used Geovanii for 5 1/2 years, spent more than 500 nights in it, and suddenly we have a worn through electrical connector (wire nut)! Could happen to anyone!
I recommend a visual inspection on this connector box. Some models will be easier than others. To do a quick visual inspection, first REMOVE ALL ELECTRICAL POWER FROM COACH. This means unplugging the electrical cord from any source of power,either internally or externally, such as either a power pole, generator or inverters. (Those with inverters installed should make sure no power is going to the system!) Next, remove the 4X4 box cover from the connector box (loosen two screws - do not have to be removed) check the wire nuts in this box for abraiding and tightness. If all is as it should be, replace the box cover, making sure none of the wires are a pushing against it. You are done!
In the event you see evidence of damage, check the wires to make sure they are not damaged and replace the wire nuts and make sure they are not touching the box or cover when you replace the cover.
IF YOU ARE NOT COMFORTABLE WITH ELECTRICAL WORK, GET AN ELECTRICIAN TO CHECK THE BOX FOR YOU!
This is not intended to be a step by step instruction checklist! It is a rough guide to help show you what and how i found my problem. YMMV!
I feel like we dodged a big bullet on this one. Just a heads up for everybody!
~~~~~
Big bullet indeed. This man could easily have been electrocuted.
In addition to the recommendations in the above post, I would suggest that it is worthwhile to check every rig for proper grounding of all electrical boxes, enclosures, and appliances -- as well as doors, door frames, grab handles -- anything that might potentially become energized and could be touched by someone.
I immediately checked my View and found that the electrical boxes in the electric cabinet, the enclosure around the circuit breakers, the stove, the microwave, and the door, door frame, and grab handle are all grounded. The sinks are not, but are unlikely to become energized.
Even if the wiring was done correctly at the factory, the vibration that it is subjected to can cause failures.
It doesn't take more than a few minutes to check and may save save your life or the life of a loved one.
~~~~~
Night before last, when we docked for the night, I did my usual step of plug in the electric first, then the TV cable. I accidentally brushed the cable outer housing against the square electric box and a huge spark occurred. I immediately unplugged the cord from the power pole and discovered the pole breaker was tripped. Reset breaker and tried again. Everything seemed OK.
Went inside coach and in a short time, smelled electric smoke. Rushed outside and saw a trace of smoke coming from the square electric box below the generator plug. Killed power and unplugged from the plug. Smoke stopped.
Removed the cover from the square box (where the coach plug goes into the inside electric system). What I found scared the begeebers out of me! The black wire had apparently been pressed HARD up against the cover. Over time, the insulator/connector had abraided against the metal cover until it wore through and shorted out. The spark was the result of the metal box being "hot" with the full 30amp potential waiting for a ground. That could have been ME if the cable had not sparked and warned me! Fortunately, this was caught in time to prevent a fire or personal injury through electrocution.
I post this as an advisory for all on the group. We have used Geovanii for 5 1/2 years, spent more than 500 nights in it, and suddenly we have a worn through electrical connector (wire nut)! Could happen to anyone!
I recommend a visual inspection on this connector box. Some models will be easier than others. To do a quick visual inspection, first REMOVE ALL ELECTRICAL POWER FROM COACH. This means unplugging the electrical cord from any source of power,either internally or externally, such as either a power pole, generator or inverters. (Those with inverters installed should make sure no power is going to the system!) Next, remove the 4X4 box cover from the connector box (loosen two screws - do not have to be removed) check the wire nuts in this box for abraiding and tightness. If all is as it should be, replace the box cover, making sure none of the wires are a pushing against it. You are done!
In the event you see evidence of damage, check the wires to make sure they are not damaged and replace the wire nuts and make sure they are not touching the box or cover when you replace the cover.
IF YOU ARE NOT COMFORTABLE WITH ELECTRICAL WORK, GET AN ELECTRICIAN TO CHECK THE BOX FOR YOU!
This is not intended to be a step by step instruction checklist! It is a rough guide to help show you what and how i found my problem. YMMV!
I feel like we dodged a big bullet on this one. Just a heads up for everybody!
~~~~~
Big bullet indeed. This man could easily have been electrocuted.
In addition to the recommendations in the above post, I would suggest that it is worthwhile to check every rig for proper grounding of all electrical boxes, enclosures, and appliances -- as well as doors, door frames, grab handles -- anything that might potentially become energized and could be touched by someone.
I immediately checked my View and found that the electrical boxes in the electric cabinet, the enclosure around the circuit breakers, the stove, the microwave, and the door, door frame, and grab handle are all grounded. The sinks are not, but are unlikely to become energized.
Even if the wiring was done correctly at the factory, the vibration that it is subjected to can cause failures.
It doesn't take more than a few minutes to check and may save save your life or the life of a loved one.