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joebedford's avatar
joebedford
Nomad II
Oct 21, 2015

power panel integrated backwards 20A plug?

I've been reading the other thread in this forum about burnt neutral wires in the AC distribution panel. I figured since my RV is 4 years old, I'd better check its wires. I'm happy to report that there is no sign of burning nor any loose wires.

When I was inside the panel I noticed a black cube about an inch on each side on the back of the panel with some (looks like 12ga) wires coming out. I looked up WF8930/50 and discovered that it's a 20A receptacle pointing backwards (i.e. only accessible from behind the panel).

It's not hooked up to a breaker so I'm wondering what it's for. I'm guessing that in another configuration, that plug might be for a converter. What do you think?

BTW, the wire that goes off to the installed converter (100A) is clearly 14ga. The breaker is 20A - is 14ga enough for that?
  • time2roll's avatar
    time2roll
    Nomad
    Oct 21, 2015
    joebedford wrote:
    BTW, the wire that goes off to the installed converter (100A) is clearly 14ga. The breaker is 20A - is 14ga enough for that?
    As long as it is the actual wire off the appliance it is fine. If you need to extend the wire use #12.
  • joebedford's avatar
    joebedford
    Nomad II
    Oct 21, 2015
    smkettner wrote:
    joebedford wrote:
    BTW, the wire that goes off to the installed converter (100A) is clearly 14ga. The breaker is 20A - is 14ga enough for that?
    As long as it is the actual wire off the appliance it is fine. If you need to extend the wire use #12.
    It runs to a 20A receptacle where the plug from the converter, well, plugs.

  • RoyB's avatar
    RoyB
    Explorer II
    Oct 21, 2015
    Joe - I had to add one of those 120VAC receptacles for my setup... The WF8900 series converter was direct wired to the breakers and the replacement PD9200 series converter came with a 120VAC plug.

    Roy ken
  • time2roll's avatar
    time2roll
    Nomad
    Oct 22, 2015
    I thought it was white 14, yellow 12, orange 10, and larger was black.
    Looks like 12 to me.

  • joebedford's avatar
    joebedford
    Nomad II
    Oct 22, 2015
    smkettner wrote:
    I thought it was white 14, yellow 12, orange 10, and larger was black.
    Looks like 12 to me.

    Yeah, you're probably right. I completely forgot that my rig is not built to CSA standards so the wire insulation is smaller. CDN 12 gauge is quite a bit bigger (outside). Yes, that yellow wire is probably 12 ga.
  • GordonThree's avatar
    GordonThree
    Explorer
    Oct 22, 2015
    smkettner wrote:
    I thought it was white 14, yellow 12, orange 10, and larger was black.
    Looks like 12 to me.



    Not sure the outside sheath color code is strictly enforced. I bought a 100ft roll of 14ga with yellow outside sheath from Menards recently.
  • DrewE's avatar
    DrewE
    Explorer II
    Oct 22, 2015
    GordonThree wrote:
    smkettner wrote:
    I thought it was white 14, yellow 12, orange 10, and larger was black.
    Looks like 12 to me.



    Not sure the outside sheath color code is strictly enforced. I bought a 100ft roll of 14ga with yellow outside sheath from Menards recently.


    It's simply a convention, not any sort of a code requirement. It's legal to make and sell and install NM-B wire with any color outside sheath that your little heart desires. However, even as a convention, it's fairly unusual at least in my limited experience to find new wire that doesn't follow it--and most of the wire that doesn't has a white sheath for every size, so it's a pretty safe guess that a yellow wire is 12 gauge and an orange one 10 gauge. Of course, for actual serious work one should verify either the package or squint and read the little lettering embossed onto the jacket (the latter of which is a code requirement).

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