autoformers for dummies (me)
Hi all, I've heard folks saying autoformers "steal" power from the campground and hence from other campers. Here is my understanding of what happens. The total wattage remains the same less abou...
Forum Discussion
pianotuna wrote:
Hi ktmrfs,
Thanks for the code link. It does define an RV as "temporary" living quarters. I'm full time, so I guess, technically, this regulation doesn't apply to me.
As to there being no isolation from an autoformer, are you saying there IS isolation when I simply plug into the pedestal? That seems a bit of a "red herring" to me.ktmrfs wrote:
I suspect that one reason RV parks say NO is that there is information that says NEC says no.
Here is a link
http://www.codebookcity.com/codearticles/nec/necarticle551-1.htm
Note the line You cannot use autotransformers with RVs 551.20(E).
so it may have nothing to do with "power stealing" at all.
Whats not clear is if this applies to the park side or the RV side.
Also, one thing to be aware of with an autotransformer is there is NO isolation provided by the transformer. the input and output sides share a common neutral, unlike a more conventional transfomer with primary and secondarys isolated.
as far as isolation, normally that is not an issue since the transformer supplying the pedistal has isolated primaries and secondaries.
The caution was aimed at people who think a autotransformer is also an isolation transformer. It can be a big suprise! Again, for RV use I don't think it posses any issues.
