I'm camped in a USFS campground and I've got one of those surge protectors. I have stayed at many campgrounds and never had a problem. Now my surge protector is showing reverse polarity and faulty ground. A little while ago, the local concessionaire from recreations resources (identified as the regional manager),came by and said it was probably my rig and not the post??? He said they recently upgraded the wiring throughout the campground and they've never had any complaints before. I explained that know one has probably had anything to identify the problem. I asked if they could send someone by to insure there is not a problem and to insure there was no shock risk. I don't think he liked me questioning his knowledge about electricity? Is there a problem or potential problem? I was thinking of taking my concern to the local USFS office, because I don't have much confidence in this guy? Advise?

Yes there's a problem or maybe two. The post is wired wrong and that guy is an arrogant ars.

Well, that's kind of what I thought. I didn't really want to argue when I really don't know. He did say that if the ground was faulty, I wouldn't have power to my rig.:h

ScottG wrote:Yes there's a problem or maybe two. The post is wired wrong and that guy is an arrogant ars.X2 When my surge unit started shutting things down and I was told the same thing I asked for a different site and they agreed. After I was in the second spot I had no more problems and the host agreed that the only explanation was a problem with there site and promptly closed the site till they could make repairs.

He's an idiot. With out a ground you still have a hot and a neutral which is what powers your rig.

It's a very good idea to learn how to use a multimeter and have a good one with you. This was you could check for yourself and have peace of mind plus you could also show the guy what's wrong. I also agree that something was wired wrong since he made the statement that they just upgraded.

Fault in electric post??? | Good Sam Community

MSGTRETIREDCSP
Explorer
Jul 09, 2013
DiskDoctr wrote:
Why not take your surge/testing unit and walk it to an unoccupied site and see if it shows a failure?

If you find a site where it is not showing a failure, you can move there, OR use it to validate the proper function of your testing setup.

Actually I did just that the next morning. There were four ot five sites in the immediate area around me that showed faulty ground. In the remainder of the campground, the other sites tested okay.

A licensed (retired) electrician came by later and tested the post and observed the ground wire was grounded to the box, but was not sure if the box was grounded properly? I'm getting around 114 volts. Anyway, at least my equipment was not faulty. The USFS did come by also wahile I was gone and did indicate to the host that there could be a potential problem, and the will soon get to it? We'll see the next time we come?
DiskDoctr
Explorer
Jul 08, 2013
Why not take your surge/testing unit and walk it to an unoccupied site and see if it shows a failure?

If you find a site where it is not showing a failure, you can move there, OR use it to validate the proper function of your testing setup.
wa8yxm
Explorer III
Jul 02, 2013
camperpaul wrote:

The same GE® tester is available at ACE Hardware, Home Depot, etc.

A similar tester is available at Harbor Freight.

Yes, just about every hardware, Electrical supply shop, Lowes, Home Depot, some drug stores, supermarkets and gas stations have 'em.

If I gave the full list I'd be typing all day... I use choose the links based on a Google type search to display the photo, not to recommend the seller.

I too have a 50 amp rig and the devices noted for when I am on strange 30 amp sites.

Worst case for the original poster

If it is reverse polarity, a blown fuse or tripped breaker with possible damage to the plug.

If it is open ground.. AND a hot to chassis short occures in your RV, you could wake up dead. That is the worst case

Second worse if you get aneutral ground swap (Hard to detect) is a fire.
B_s_Bunch
Explorer
Jul 01, 2013
The frog eye as it is called around here only alloys connection to the 115/120 outlet. As does the volt meter. If you only require 115/120 volts this will work as allowing you to check for open neutrals crossed wires no ground and voltage ect. It will not prove anything on a 240 volt 50 amp outlet. If this is what you have you would be better off with a decent vom and learn how to use it. STILL things happen but at least you can find out if anything is suspect before you plug in. Progressive units are cheap insurance in my opinion. Larry
RoyB
Explorer II
Jun 30, 2013
This is a typical wiring diagram of the camp ground pedestal...

The "GREEN" wiring makes it straight your trailer frame ground through the large pin on both the 30A and 50A shore power cable hook up. This is the only ground you need to be safe.

I also carry the same adapters and circuit tester discussed above...

I want to know the 120VAC level as well as correct wiring as established by the circuit tester lights that are on when plugged in.

If they are not within specs i will not hook my trailer up to them and make it know to management. Either they fix it right away or I want to move to anther site location. I also make sure they hang a sign on the bad pedestal.

A few time the problem was only with the 30AMP connection and I was able to plug into the 50A connection with the proper dogbone adapter.

Good reason to carry the various adapter laong with you on your camping trips...

Roy Ken
aruba5er
Explorer
Jun 30, 2013
The question was asked "Do surge protectors wear out?" Yes they do. If a surge is large enough it may also "BLOW OUT" with smoke and sometimes fire.Some have a light that say's protected. Surges are exactly that. A surge or spike in voltage that is clamped electronicly and shunted to ground.If you have no ground that surge protector will not do a lot of good. There are those that do ---Hot to Nuetral==Hot to ground+=Neutral to ground . The cheap one will do Hot to ground and if no or bad ground no protection. Low voltage is not a surge but can harm things
kakampers
Explorer
Jun 30, 2013
We have the 50 amp Progressive...has saved us numerous times over the years. I'd rather have the power cut off than ruin everything in the rig. When it cuts off, depending on what's wrong, we either move or use the Autoformer to boost voltage.
Bobbo
Explorer II
Jun 30, 2013
MSGTRETIREDCSP wrote:
Just out of curiousity, what are some of the worst case scenerios with this wiring? Thanks

The worst thing? With reversed polarity, the part of the equipment (RV) that is normally not hot in relation to the ground wire is suddenly 120v in relation to the ground wire. Touching the equipment (RV) and a good solid ground can electrocute you. And there is NO circuit breaker inline if the polarity is reversed.

I have one of the Progressive Industries HW30C devices that protects from those problems, but STILL, before I plug in, I use this tester. And, yes, my HW30C has cut off due to problems, including low voltage and open ground.
camperpaul
Explorer
Jun 30, 2013
wa8yxm wrote:
If your rig is 30 amp (Even if is not) there are two things you should buy.. Will try to find links to examples.

Since Camping world is part of the family that hosts this forum.. I use them first:

The needed adapter

The tester to plug into it.

NOTE: I'm sure I've seen that tester at CW but the link is to Amazon.com since I could not find it online at CW.

Before you plug into a 30 amp outlet,, Plug the tester into the adapter into the outlet and see what lights up.

The same GE® tester is available at ACE Hardware, Home Depot, etc.

A similar tester is available at Harbor Freight.
wbwood
Explorer
Jun 30, 2013
MSGTRETIREDCSP wrote:
wa8yxm wrote:
If your rig is 30 amp (Even if is not) there are two things you should buy.. Will try to find links to examples.

Since Camping world is part of the family that hosts this forum.. I use them first:

The needed adapter

The tester to plug into it.

NOTE: I'm sure I've seen that tester at CW but the link is to Amazon.com since I could not find it online at CW.

Before you plug into a 30 amp outlet,, Plug the tester into the adapter into the outlet and see what lights up.

I've got the 50 amp service on my rig. I've also got it on the 30 amp dogbone plug. My surge protector shows the same things as the tester.

Great idea. I actually have one of those light up testers at home.

Forum Discussion

Fault in electric post???

About RV Tips & Tricks

Related Content

Post a tip

Electric heating

Abbreviations in posts

CO/LP Detector Fault

Post your Sneakiest Stealth Camp