Blacklane wrote:
If you're going to install residential outlets in an RV, at least don't use the screws on the side: use the spring-loaded quick connect kind. Vibration can loosen screws, causing huge risk of arc and fire. That's why RV electrical devices have the punch-down connectors and self-contained boxes that are made to hold the wires in-place.
Terrible advise. The push in type receptacles barely hold the wires in, and barely make contact with the wire, all of that is in a fixed installation in a house. In a motorhome it would fail rather quickly. The push in receptacles are only rated to accept 14 gauge wire, and will not accept 12 gauge, and the contacts for the plug are simply a bent over piece of metal that quickly looses its tension.
Best to use a commercial quality backwire unit that you push the wire into and then tighten up a screw, which draws up a serrated or knurled plate to pinch the wire into place. Check the screw tightness once a year like you should with the entire electrical system.
With the commercial quality receptacle, no sense using the 20 amp version, as the inside metal parts and contacts for the plug are exactly the same as the 20 amp, just with a 15 amp style face plate installed.
Charles
