Forum Discussion
myredracer
Feb 14, 2019Explorer II
IMO as an EE, it's not the RV "SCD" type receptacles that are a problem. They have to meet extremely rigorous testing under UL requirements. And they can't be worse than the commonplace residential receptacles where you push a stripped wire into a hole in rear of it.
The bigger issue is the wiring and installation done at the RV factories. Below is a photo of a receptacle I removed from a previous TT. Not the only one I've seen similar to that in 3 TTs we've owned. Note that there are two "prongs" that the wires are supposed to be pushed down into and the hot wire is only pushed onto one of the prongs/stabs. One of the prongs was damaged. This means that this particular receptacle would only be able to carry 1/2 of it's 15 amp rating. Imagine having a 1500 watt electric heater plugged into it and running continuously for extended periods. A fire waiting to happen...
There is a proper tool for terminating the wires on RV receptacles and they are expensive so either the installer doesn't have one or doesn't have it with him and uses a screwdriver or pliers instead. I doubt the guys installing these are licensed electricians too. Inexcusable...
The bigger issue is the wiring and installation done at the RV factories. Below is a photo of a receptacle I removed from a previous TT. Not the only one I've seen similar to that in 3 TTs we've owned. Note that there are two "prongs" that the wires are supposed to be pushed down into and the hot wire is only pushed onto one of the prongs/stabs. One of the prongs was damaged. This means that this particular receptacle would only be able to carry 1/2 of it's 15 amp rating. Imagine having a 1500 watt electric heater plugged into it and running continuously for extended periods. A fire waiting to happen...
There is a proper tool for terminating the wires on RV receptacles and they are expensive so either the installer doesn't have one or doesn't have it with him and uses a screwdriver or pliers instead. I doubt the guys installing these are licensed electricians too. Inexcusable...
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