Power Cable Extension options ??

myredracer wrote:
If you were in the US, by code, pedestals are supposed to be at the left/rear of sites and you will rarely need a longer shore power cord. Canada doesn't have those codes and pedestals can be a long distance away. I've heard of up to 100' in some Ont. CGs.

We carry a spare 30 amp shore power cord with twist-lock connector on it. Also have a 30 amp generator adapter like in this photo. Allows the two cords to be connected together. Have rarely needed to do that but when you do, you really need it!

Tip: Always keep your shore power cord blades clean and shiny with sandpaper or emery cloth. Never plug into a pedestal (or at home) unless the power is turned off otherwise you will cause pitting & dirt on the blade surfaces and inside the cord connectors where you can't see what condition they're in, which can lead to overheating.

I have seldom needed a second cord, but I always have one set up to plug
into my other 30 foot. I also carry connectors for 50 amp to 30 amp.
30 amp to 15 amp ect... I haven't camped in Canada, so I haven't encountered any long runs for power. The longest I have encountered was years ago camping on the river at the Rome, Ga. lock and dam. Some spots had no tower, so I run my cables under my RV to the next site, which was empty.

delwhjr wrote:

myredracer wrote:
If you were in the US, by code, pedestals are supposed to be at the left/rear of sites and you will rarely need a longer shore power cord. Canada doesn't have those codes and pedestals can be a long distance away. I've heard of up to 100' in some

Then I have been in a lot of campgrounds violating that code( if there is one). I have been in sites where the pedestal was at the front left, middle or back. Also, on the right back and directly behind.
I suggest having at least an additional extension of 25'. So far I have used my extension twice.

our experience also

drsteve wrote:
When was this standard formulated? I know of one MI state park that has shared power pedestals, four sites per box, and up to 100 feet of extension cord required.

The earliest documents regarding RVs and RV parks began prior to 1940. Those have gone thru numerous iterations under numerous numbering systems over the years. The document number was changed to 1194 in 1999. But these standards and codes go thru revision cycles of every 4-5 years with some additions, modifications, clarifications, and possibly deletions made each time to remain up to date on current practices. Probably only an NFPA historian could tell you when a specific requirement was added.

New requirements would generally not be retroactive to existing parks.

From my perspective I would like to thank everyone who responded to this post in helping me be clear with needing to get an extension rather than some type of adapter. With longer cord reach I can deal with where ever the power posts are whether they are within a standard or not. All the best rving/camping.

When was this standard formulated? I know of one MI state park that has shared power pedestals, four sites per box, and up to 100 feet of extension cord required.

From NFPA 1194:

5.2.2.2 The water and electrical assemblies shall be located on the left rear half of the site (left side of the recreational vehicle) within 6 ft (1.8 m) of the stand.

From NEC:

551.77 Recreational Vehicle Site Supply Equipment.

(A) Location. Where provided on back­in sites, the recreational vehicle site electrical supply equipment shall be located on the left (road) side of the parked vehicle, on a line that is 1.5 m to 2.1 m (5 ft to 7 ft) from the left edge (driver’s side of the parked RV) of the stand and shall be located at any point on this line from the rear of the stand to 4.5 m (15 ft) forward of the rear of the stand.

For pull ­through sites, the electrical supply equipment shall be permitted to be located at any point along the line that is 1.5 m to 2.1 m (5 ft to 7 ft) from the left edge (driver’s side of the parked RV) from 4.9 m (16 ft) forward of the rear of the stand to the center point between the two roads that gives access to and egress from the pull­through sites.

The left edge (driver’s side of the parked RV) of the stand shall be marked.

Seems like this guy is right. Be nice if everyone would just admit when someone is right and not try to back up their stiff necked opinion with objections. Did you know it's against the law to nickles in your ears in Hawaii? Neither did I til my son told me about 12 years ago. That law may have changed by now! Education is a good thing.

myredracer wrote:

D.E.Bishop wrote:

So anyway, on to the 1194 Standards there are as I pointed out a few areas where our fellow RVer from BC is quoting the 1194 Standards as being enforceable in the USA where he is wrong and why.

Actually, all I did in response to someone who said he doubts such codes/standards exist, is quote out of 1194 & art. 551 to show such codes & standards do exist.

I would be interested though to see a link to something that shows that NFPA standards aren't enforceable.

The NFPA codes and standards are enforceable by the “authority having jurisdiction” if that AHJ creates their own code specifying that the NFPA code is to be adhered to. An AHJ can be federal, state, city, or other entity with enforcement rights. NFPA is not a government entity and has no enforcement rights. They are a self funded non profit organization who creates these standards and codes for others to use. And you sure would not want some government bureaucratic office to create them.

D.E.Bishop wrote:

So anyway, on to the 1194 Standards there are as I pointed out a few areas where our fellow RVer from BC is quoting the 1194 Standards as being enforceable in the USA where he is wrong and why.

Actually, all I did in response to someone who said he doubts such codes/standards exist, is quote out of 1194 & art. 551 to show such codes & standards do exist.

I would be interested though to see a link to something that shows that NFPA standards aren't enforceable.

D.E.Bishop wrote:
BB_TX, I don't refute what you are saying in the least, but some have the opinion that NFPA is law. I just think they are wrong and you have verified or at least back up my belief. I started in the electrical trade some 65 years ago and NEC has always been our guide(code really). The City of Los Angeles has had some standards that were more stringent than the NEC, this did not violate the NFPA rules as some say it would.
.....,.

You are correct. Some think NFPA is some government agency with some guy sitting in his office making up rules to justify his existence. And that is far from the truth. NFPA is an independent non profit group dedicated to safety. And their codes and standards are not laws in themselves. But local authorities can mandate using those codes as their local codes in their entirety, or add exceptions or additions as they choose. And of course virtually all authorities dictating building codes specify NFPA 70 NEC in their local codes in some form.

Be aware that long runs of cord can lead to voltage drops. A lot of pedestals already have less than 120V. A simple plug into an outlet voltmeter can keep you apprised of the situation.