Grounding issues
Been awhile since I have been online, moved to a different RV park here in Central Ca. Problem, there appears to be a grounding issue, when ever I touch the outside of my rig I get sparks and zapped. ...
Forum Discussion
The article above describes a hazard created by the RV'er improperly wiring a new plug onto their park connection. Question to the OP... Have you retired anything lately?
If not, it takes several events in combination to energize the skin of your trailer...
First - the ground must be compromised - a loose connection, a cut wire or a corroded ground rod.
Second - the neutral and the ground wire must be bonded... This should only be done at the service disconnect (meter base). All sub panels should keep the ground and neutral conductors separated.
Third - the neutral conductor must be energized... It is not unusual for the neutral to carry current back to the meter - but it should be of sufficient size to conduct all current with only a small (1 - 2 volt) potential.
As an operator of a small RV Park I recently had a similar problem... The neutral was compromised... Some squirrels chewed the overhead lines - they sharpen their teeth on the aluminum wire! I had a good ground so no RV's experienced a hot skin - but the voltage was wacky. High and low! When measured from line to neutral. The electric utility responded and replaced the overhead lines. All is now good.
If not, it takes several events in combination to energize the skin of your trailer...
First - the ground must be compromised - a loose connection, a cut wire or a corroded ground rod.
Second - the neutral and the ground wire must be bonded... This should only be done at the service disconnect (meter base). All sub panels should keep the ground and neutral conductors separated.
Third - the neutral conductor must be energized... It is not unusual for the neutral to carry current back to the meter - but it should be of sufficient size to conduct all current with only a small (1 - 2 volt) potential.
As an operator of a small RV Park I recently had a similar problem... The neutral was compromised... Some squirrels chewed the overhead lines - they sharpen their teeth on the aluminum wire! I had a good ground so no RV's experienced a hot skin - but the voltage was wacky. High and low! When measured from line to neutral. The electric utility responded and replaced the overhead lines. All is now good.
