Pedestal Maintenance & Testing

I’m finally getting to teach campground pedestal maintenance and testing next week…

Welcome to my J.A.M. Session…

Everyone,

Here’s a typical inquiry I get about campground power problems.

Dear Mike,

Last summer we encountered what I would consider unacceptable electrical service at a U.S. Forest Service campground in coastal North Carolina. Thanks to an inexpensive “plug-in” voltmeter inside the coach, I became aware of very low voltage, often dropping below 100 volts. Further research with a conventional voltmeter at the pedestal, I not only confirmed those low readings, but discovered that it was only on one leg of the 50-amp connection; the other leg registered near 130 volts.

The off-site management of the campground was essentially non-reachable except by email, non-responsive, and seemingly uncaring. Even the campground host’s complaints about her low voltage fell on deaf ears. Perhaps I was lucky, since my AC labored through our stay and we had minimal problems (primarily the microwave kicking out), but it left me with these questions:

1. While my AC and microwave both seem to still work satisfactorily, could I have incurred damage which may rear its ugly head somewhere in the future?

2. Should I have involved the local code enforcement authorities (considering that the campground electrical system may not meet code)? Likewise, should I have contacted the local electrical utility?

3. What action would you take if you found a campground electrical supply unacceptable and the campground management unresponsive?

Thank you. —James

Dear James

Sadly, the National Electrical Code doesn’t have an actual minimum voltage violation. They have a suggested min/max range, but even 100 volts isn’t a violation.

Yes, extended running at 100 volts can damage your air conditioner and residential refrigerator, but not your microwave. And it is cumulative damage which can shorten the A/C compressor life by years.The voltage droop you’re observing on one leg is likely due to current imbalance in the campground’s split-phase distribution system. It could be a simple fix for the campground, but unfortunately, I can’t get any of the campground groups to fund me or allow me to teach them how to correct it. - Mike

UPDATE

Next Friday I’ll be live streaming my first online class for campground owners on pedestal maintenance and testing. I’ve been commissioned to teach this webinar as part of my RV Technician Training Series by PRVCA (Pennsylvania Recreational Vehicle Camping Association), the group that puts on the Hershey RV Show.

This is a closed webinar right now, but I hope to rerun it for campgrounds across the country beginning this summer.

Note: I’ll also be teaching RVelectricity seminars to the public on Sept 10-14 at the Hershey Show.

Let’s play safe out there…. Mike