A Reminder of Open Neutral Dangers
Never trust a new pedestal in an old campground...
Hey Mike,
You posted an article several years ago suggesting testing the pedestal before hooking up with a 50 amp splitter and a 120 volt tester. ( 50 amp male plug that splits into (2) 15 amp female pigtails). This enables testing each leg with the 120 volt tester for voltage outputs as well as polarity.
I had a recent encounter at a campground that checked out okay with that method until I connected my Southwire Surgeguard SMS (34951). The EMS indicated there was an open neutral and would not allow the current to flow. The irony is that was a newly installed pedestal at an old campground. Upon further checking with campground management I confirmed it was installed by their handyman.
Always check first before assuming that if it looks good it must be good!!!
- Michael F.
Hey Michael F.
That’s a great reminder. I never trust a new pedestal in an old campground. That’s because replacing a pedestal is considered to be a DIY handyman project by many campgrounds. However, I’m currently working on a training seminar for RV technicians and campground maintenance staff that includes using an Extech CT70 AC Circuit Load Tester to confirm ground and neutral impedance on a pedestal, as well as calculated voltage drop under 15 or 20 amperes of load.
These are a bit pricy, but you can buy a CT70 on Amazon HERE.
And you can find an inexpensive 50-amp to 20-amp Y-splitter with 20-amp circuit breakers for testing 50-amp outlets on Amazon HERE.
Read my previous article below
Some of the products above have affiliate links. This means that, at zero cost to you, I will earn a commission if you click through the link and finalize a purchase. But feel free to find your best deal anywhere you like.
Let’s play safe out there… Mike
