Cool Mods - Thread restored 10/18/2012

DavidP wrote:

Lantley wrote:

sonicsix wrote:

sdavis622 wrote:
Well, first I am no electrician! I saw this done on another forum, or by another member, can't recall. Basically I just figured it to be a hard mounted extension cord. Most electrical posts at campgrounds have breaker on the 20a plug so I figured that would cover it. Maybe I should add a GFCI... never thought about that! Thanks for the insight. Like I said I am no electrician, and this seemed simple enough.

I did this mod a while back, and I used 14 AWG wire. This outlet is used for a toaster oven, a griddle or a hair dryer. Always one at a time, so overloading the wire is not a worry. The cords on the appliances are much thinner than the 14 AWG wire I used to wire the outlet.

The issue has nothing to do with the cord on the appliance. The issue involves protection on the circuit. Sdavis22 installed 15 amp wire on a 20amp circuit. In the event of an overload the 20 amp breaker will not trip until 20 amps however the wire will begin to heat when the current exceeds its 15 amp rating. This heat has the potential to start a fire. 14 wire is designed to work on a 15 amp circuit not a 20 amp circuit. 12 wire is rated for a 20 amp circuit.

Keep in mind if your appliance has a short in its cord or anywhere else the circuit,the breaker is designed to trip. If the wire is not properly matched to the breaker the circuit may never trip. The wire will heat up just like it is part of the toaster. Only instead of toasting bread it may toast your RV. Using an underrated wire is just plain wrong and a potential hazard. All Romex wire is not created equal. They make different wire for different applications.

Sound advice and an easy fix.

Thanks to all of you for the advice... like I said not an electrician. So, based on everything you all have said... would it be easier to go through trailer and add an extra breaker and GFCI, or upgrade wire to 12awg and add GFCI.

Basically I considered this the same as running an extension cord from the post into the trailer which a lot of people have told me they've done. Instead, I ran 14awg extension cord through a hole wired directly to an outlet, then romex to another outlet in the bathroom. Bypassing the trailer all together. I thought 14awg to be sufficient, priced it by the foot with a plug to attach, but an employee at a big box store showed me a 14awg 50' extension cord that made it way cheaper, and the plugs were already attached... so I just assumed that would work. Good thing I have all of you to back me up!