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Explain "Reverse Polarity and Power on Ground" for campground owner

Yahoo Message Number: 23868
We're in a campground where we consistently have had power problems.
Today, upon checking in, our Surge Guard gave a "caution" light. I checked with our REALLY simple electric checking "thingy" and the "lights" indicated "Reverse Polarity." When I went into the office, the owner brought out a little lightbulb on a plug and said he'd come check it. I told him the lightbulb would light but that they had a real problem with the power on this pedestal. He didn't really understand why there would be a problem if everything worked. We were able to use an adjacent power plug that is 'ok', but is reading 110 volts on our voltmeter in the rig...in other words, it's on the red/green border of the little Camping World meter.

Can someone knowledgable point me in the direction of some EASY explanations that I can give this campground owner (and me) as to why this is a problem he needs to address.

Thanks

Jan McNeill

2001 Intrigue 11320

Re: Explain "Reverse Polarity and Power on Ground" for campground o

Reply #1 –
Yahoo Message Number: 23869
Hi Jan,

I am assuming from your words that this is a 120vac outlet with 3 openings? There are 2 blade slots and one round hole, the small blade slot is hot, the larger blade slot is the return and the round hole is the safety ground. Here's the test, with a 120vac light connected to two wires, insert one wire in the small slot and one in the round hole, if it does not light, you have reverse polarity, if it does light, you do not. I would not use this outlet because your tester plug 'thingy' says it has reverse polarity. 110vac is borderline bad - as more coaches hookup, the voltage will get worse. Find another RV park.

Fred Kovol

[quote author=janmcneill" \.\.\>] [/quote]

Re: Explain "Reverse Polarity and Power on Ground" for campground o

Reply #2 –
Yahoo Message Number: 23870
If your coach is telling you caution on the surge/polarity device in the bay, I will guess that you have the 50 amp shore cord plugged in and that you pluged in a 110 yellow three prong tester into the 110 in the same power pedistal. And it shows that the black and white wires were connected to the wrong lugs on the 110. It IS NOT TELLING YOU ANYTHING about the 50 amp. I would run and find a new place to plug into, I spent 25 years as a firefighter and you dont want to know what it costs if you put the wrong power into a motorhome. I saw one burn to the ground, and one have to have every electrical item inside replaced. Not what I want for my baby!