Automotivetoys wrote:
**There is NO breaker on the meter pole that my RV is plugged into**
Sorry to hear about such extensive damage, especially on a brand new TT. Your TT is a 50 amper? Then what is the 30 amp breaker for that says "cord"? Is this in an old CG or relatively new?
Not entirely sure if you mean a pedestal that has a meter on top or a power utility company's power pole but I believe you mean the pedestal. The NEC requires a breaker or disconnecting means in a pedestal, article 551.77(B) "
Disconnecting Means. A disconnecting switch or circuit breaker shall be provided in the site supply equipment for disconnecting the power supply to the recreational vehicle.". Upstream of the pedestal at the site, there will be a circuit breaker protecting the feeder cable to the pedestal (or run of pedestals) and would/should be a min. 30 amp. Electrically speaking, the pedestal feeder and your shore power cord would be protected against an overload or short circuit in that case. There is also the 50 amp breaker in the panel inside your TT. There shouldn't have been an overload or short circuit inside your TT (downstream of the panel's 50 amp breaker) to cause damage to the shore power cord or feeder cable.
But, depending on what the CG may have/had for a power distribution system and breaker feeding your pedestal, you could have been drawing up to 50 amps on a feeder that might have been rated for only 30 amps due to absence of a 30 amp breaker on the pedestal. (A 50 amp RV operates at 120/240 volts like a house but when on a 50-30 adapter, is at 50 amps 120 volts.) Maybe they removed the feeder breaker back at the main distribution or maybe it failed to trip, or maybe the connections were loose and caused overheating. If you happened to have been using an autoformer, that *could* be a factor as they raise the input current.
Maybe, if this is a really old CG, the code did not require a breaker in a pedestal? I have not gone back earlier than the '96 NEC so far but I would guess they were always required. Might be a question for the local electrical inspector. Or did the CG remove the breaker? If you were plugged into a 30 or 50 amp recept. at home or elsewhere that is not an RV park, you would not need a breaker at the recept. by code. Note that NEC would allow a disconnecting "switch" in lieu of a breaker in a pedestal. I've never seen that tho. The absence of a breaker in the pedestal is unlikely to have been a factor but not impossible depending on a number of things. It does raise the question tho., could the CG have made some illegal changes to the power distribution equipment in the office building (or wherever the main service is) or wiring or neglected to repair something? CGs often have an unqualified general purpose handyman doing electrical work. The local fire dep't. & electrical inspection dept. will undoubtedly do an investigation. Would be interesting to see their findings.
Since we don't know anything about the CG's electrical system, it could be a problem with the CG itself or it's not unheard of for a power company to have a problem on a high voltage line to a customer's property, like due to a fallen tree or a vehicle accident. Could there have been a lightning strike?
There had to have been a spike/surge or maybe 240 (or higher) volts to your TT to cause the damage it did. Even *if* there was no breaker at the pedestal, it wouldn't have helped to prevent damage from a spike or 240 (or higher) volts. There could be a few other possibilities but it's all a big question mark without a lot more info.
The normal procedure is to go to your insurance company. Providing they don't balk at the claim, they will deal with the CG's insurer or if necessary, take someone to court. An insurer has the right to subrogate which means they have the legal right to go after a third party to recover $$ they paid out on a claim. Sometimes they don't bother if it's a small claim and/or it's too messy and costly, then they won't do anything. Won't involve you at all. Will not have anything to do with an RV manufacturer either. A photo of the pedestal would be interesting to see. Other than curiosity, you don't need to worry about what the cause may have been.
As mentioned, although too late now, this is a very good example of why you should be using an EMS unit. Bad electrical systems in CGs are more prevalent than people think. An EMS should now be on your must-have list. Don't get a "surge suppressor" only. An EMS does a lot more. Please post followup info. if you have any.
Since your attention is focused on electrical at the moment, I highly recommend that you install a voltmeter inside your TT where it's readily visible to keep an eye on volts. Voltage problems are common and more in the summertime. Low is usually the problem, and when it is, it can damage AC units (can be cumulative over time too). If you will be travelling around to other CGs, you might invest in a Hughes autoformer to boost low voltage. If you ever come across a pedestal without a breaker again and/or it looks to be in rough shape, I'd look for another pedestal or CG.
