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sealevel_ram's avatar
sealevel_ram
Explorer
May 26, 2015

Shore Power at Home Wired Wrong and Lightning also.

Last August I built a MH garage. Had a 30 amp outlet installed. Have had my unit plugged in when at home since then. Everything OK.

Had an electrical storm (This IS Florida). Did some damage to my electronics in house. Blew the breaker in MH garage. Found a little burned rectifier in transfer switch. Reset breaker. The 110 outlets didn't work. A/C worked. Chassis batteries were dead. With MH motor on, had 12 volt lights, etc. Charger/inverter panel in unit lit up and said "check batteries". Generator power would not transfer to coach.

Strange thing is, when checking, I found the neutral and hot wires were reversed on the 30 amp outlet, AND there was no separate ground bus in the box as required by code, with the obligatory ground rod. (So much for electric inspection.)

Have now installed a new transfer switch and bought new chassis batteries. The 30 amp outlet has been now wired correctly. I am hesitant to plug in shore power in case the inverter/charger is kaput.

Would like some expert opinions, and/or ways to check without screwing this up more. Thank you.

20 Replies

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  • time2roll's avatar
    time2roll
    Nomad
    May 27, 2015
    sealevel ram wrote:
    Does anyone think damage could have been prevented if the shore power box had been wired correctly? From what I have heard, probably not?
    Best to unplug if the storm will pass directly over you.
  • CA_Traveler's avatar
    CA_Traveler
    Explorer III
    May 27, 2015
    sealevel ram wrote:
    Does anyone think damage could have been prevented if the shore power box had been wired correctly? From what I have heard, probably not?
    I doubt it would have made any difference.

    Always use a 30/20 adapter and household tester to check a outlet before plugging in. Or for 50A a 50/20 adapter which is a decent check.

    Get the best possible surge protector on your panel and a PI HW30C for the rig.
  • sealevel_ram's avatar
    sealevel_ram
    Explorer
    May 27, 2015
    myredracer wrote:
    If in a lightning prone area, I would consider installing a "whole house" surge protector at the main panel like this Leviton 120/240 volt unit. There are so many things in a house these days with electronics in them.

    I think you will find that for a dedicated RV single receptacle only, the NEC does not require a ground rod at the recept. You MUST have a ground conductor (correctly sized) run along with the hot & neutral conductors. But you mention "breaker" in the MH garage so is there a 30 amp recept. only or a sub-panel?


    It is a subpanel with three breakers: one for the MH, a 110 receptacle, and one for the door.
  • sealevel_ram's avatar
    sealevel_ram
    Explorer
    May 27, 2015
    Thanks for all the info. Please keep it coming.
    Going to plug in today, after prayer.

    Does anyone think damage could have been prevented if the shore power box had been wired correctly? From what I have heard, probably not?
  • Executive45's avatar
    Executive45
    Explorer III
    May 27, 2015
    I second all the responses about lightning. We had a strike half a block from the coach in Billings Montana. After bonding around the transfer switch, we made it to Monaco in Oregon for a six week fix...Microwave, middle A/C, transfer switch, surge protector, air compressor and several smaller items. Lightning is nasty...Dennis
  • MEXICOWANDERER's avatar
    MEXICOWANDERER
    Explorer
    May 27, 2015
    Lightning striking the earth or anywhere else near transmission or distribution lines can send inductive power up through the GROUND plug then dissipate through the neutral or phase connections. Total and complete disconnection from the grid would be the only reasonable protection against such an event. IOW unplug :)
  • Canadian_Rainbi's avatar
    Canadian_Rainbi
    Explorer
    May 26, 2015
    I know it's a little late but:

    A surge protector won't do much good should there be a direct (or close by) lightning strike to the powerlines. If lightning is forecast pull the power plug (don't just turn the breaker off), disconnect any phone line, internet or cable TV connection. They can all provide a path for lightning. A direct hit to a nearby power line can cross any breakers or fuses you have in the line.
  • myredracer's avatar
    myredracer
    Explorer II
    May 26, 2015
    If in a lightning prone area, I would consider installing a "whole house" surge protector at the main panel like this Leviton 120/240 volt unit. There are so many things in a house these days with electronics in them.

    I think you will find that for a dedicated RV single receptacle only, the NEC does not require a ground rod at the recept. You MUST have a ground conductor (correctly sized) run along with the hot & neutral conductors. But you mention "breaker" in the MH garage so is there a 30 amp recept. only or a sub-panel?
  • westend's avatar
    westend
    Explorer
    May 26, 2015
    Most inverters, converters, and inverter/chargers have their own circuit protection, usually fuses. Not to say that a lightning strike wouldn't take one out, that is a lot of energy traveling down the wires.

    Like smkettner advises, if your shore power is now compliant, plug in and see. Any short or melted wiring will trip the shore power off quickly.
  • time2roll's avatar
    time2roll
    Nomad
    May 26, 2015
    If an outlet tester says polarity and ground are good I would go ahead and plug in.

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