Forum Discussion

rbp111's avatar
rbp111
Explorer
May 20, 2017

I need help

First of all, I have a 50 amp fifth wheel and so obviously I have had a 50 amp power supply for several years. I also have a 50 amp surge protector/Electrical Management Systemm(EMS), which is used between the power supply and the trailer. This weekend after coming home from an outing, I hooked everything up and the surge protector/EMS showed an open ground and thus would not allow any power to be put in the trailer.
I borrowed another surge protector/EMS from a friend and found the same thing occurred, that is, no power and an open ground. I disconnected the surge protector and plugged the trailer's 50 amp cord into the 50 amp power supply and voila everything worked. I used a circuit tester in three different locations in the trailer and the indicator was that everything was wired correctly.
Any suggestions, could it be that one of the legs of the power picks up one of the "open ground" or what should I do?
  • Ivylog's avatar
    Ivylog
    Explorer III
    May 20, 2017
    The pedestal is not grounded and some will say do not use. You need to tell the CG about the problem.
  • rbp111's avatar
    rbp111
    Explorer
    May 20, 2017
    The pedestal is mine It is installed at my home. I had it done several (probably 10+) years ago and it has never failed me until now. Why does the circuit tester indicate that everything is wired properly?
  • BFL13's avatar
    BFL13
    Explorer II
    May 20, 2017
    Is the ground prong on the trailer cord plug longer/fatter than the one on the surge/EMS plug? So it is making contact in your house receptacle but the surge is not?
  • wa8yxm's avatar
    wa8yxm
    Explorer III
    May 20, 2017
    It is possible the problem is in the Energy Monitor/Surge Guard. disconnected or broken wire plug side.

    It is also possible it's in the wiring You need to test the outlet

    Using great care and a volt meter you should have 240 volts side to side
    120 side top and 120 side to bottom No matter which side.

    Another suspect is the plug itself. What color is the Roundish pin, Bright shiny copper. Black with tarnish.

    Copper tarnish is non-conductive.. Unlike gold oxide.
  • time2roll's avatar
    time2roll
    Nomad
    May 20, 2017
    Ten years? For a few $$ you could just replace the outdoor connector.
  • DrewE's avatar
    DrewE
    Explorer II
    May 20, 2017
    "Open ground" means that it detects a potential between the ground connection and the neutral connection, which should be bonded together at the main panel feeding the socket. You have a problem with the wiring of your outdoor socket. As others have said, this may simply be the socket itself not making good contact with the plug, or it may be an actual wiring problem or a failed neutral/ground bond at the main panel.

    Since the ground is a safety ground and not a current carrying conductor, an open ground will not normally affect the operation of the electrical stuff in your RV. You have a complete circuit still. It does mean that if you should have some sort of a fault in the wiring of the RV such that a wire shorts or partly shorts to the chassis you could very well end up with a dangerous hot skin condition at the RV.
  • Old-Biscuit's avatar
    Old-Biscuit
    Explorer III
    May 21, 2017
    Your surge protector indicates 'Open Ground' and doesn't allow power

    Your friends surge protector indicates 'Open Ground' and doesn'tt allow power


    SO you remove surge protector and plug in anyway
    Why even have a surge protector :H


    Your old reliable outlet is no longer trusty.......fix it and then trust your surge protector especially when anther one shows same issue
  • PatrickA51's avatar
    PatrickA51
    Explorer
    May 21, 2017
    Old-Biscuit wrote:
    Your surge protector indicates 'Open Ground' and doesn't allow power

    Your friends surge protector indicates 'Open Ground' and doesn'tt allow power


    SO you remove surge protector and plug in anyway
    Why even have a surge protector :H


    Your old reliable outlet is no longer trusty.......fix it and then trust your surge protector especially when anther one shows same issue


    X2, Call an Electrician and get it fixed. (The pedestal)
  • neschultz's avatar
    neschultz
    Explorer
    May 21, 2017
    rbp111 wrote:
    The pedestal is mine It is installed at my home. I had it done several (probably 10+) years ago and it has never failed me until now. Why does the circuit tester indicate that everything is wired properly?


    The surge protector is testing the home outlet that you plug into.

    The circuit tester is testing the wiring in your RV.
  • BFL13's avatar
    BFL13
    Explorer II
    May 21, 2017
    neschultz wrote:
    rbp111 wrote:
    The pedestal is mine It is installed at my home. I had it done several (probably 10+) years ago and it has never failed me until now. Why does the circuit tester indicate that everything is wired properly?


    The surge protector is testing the home outlet that you plug into.

    The circuit tester is testing the wiring in your RV.


    If the RV plug in his home outlet did find/have an open ground, the tester would show that in the RV, but it does not. The surge protector does show an open ground in that outlet and will not pass the power to the RV so the tester shows nothing in the RV. The RV plug fits in that outlet making contact, but the surge protector plug does not fit right like it used to. He needs to repair or replace that outlet.

About Technical Issues

Having RV issues? Connect with others who have been in your shoes.24,188 PostsLatest Activity: Jan 17, 2025
Related Content