![should iturn on the fan while baking in my rv should iturn on the fan while baking in my rv](https://rvinspectionandcare.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/open-fridge-600x401.jpg)
But I would guess that even consumer rated breakers would be rated for 10’s of thousands of cycles under load, which suggests perhaps a decade or more of proper operation. However, few of them think that far ahead. And if campgrounds wanted their circuit breakers to last for decades, then SWD rated breakers would be a good option. In industrial settings we use SWD (Switch Rated) breakers for high inrush circuits like banks of florescent light fixtures. And all circuit breakers should be rated for switching under normal loads. I’ve had a few suggestions from readers that pulling out the plug rapidly will stop it from arcing, but that’s simply not the case. Eventually you’ll need to replace your RV’s shore power cord-set, which ain’t cheap! You want to inspect your shore power plug regularly to make sure it’s shiny and bright like the one in the picture above.
#Should iturn on the fan while baking in my rv plus#
Plus this constant bombardment of tiny hot spots in the contacts will result in oxidation (rust) which will increase the electrical resistance and contribute to even more heating of the plug. And that reduced contact real estate will force all the current through a smaller surface area, resulting in plug heating. This usually creates a bunch of pretty sparks which are actually tiny bits of your metal contacts being super-heated and burning up like tiny meteorites zipping through the atmosphere.ĭoing it once or twice is no big deal, but doing it hundreds of times will cause a reduction in the contact area of your plug and receptacle. Secondly (and just as important), plugging and unplugging your shore power cord while the pedestal breaker is on will induce arcing from the current trying to jump the gap in the contacts. And we’ve all had to hookup or disconnect shore power in the rain, haven’t we? This suggests that it’s doubly important to turn off the pedestal circuit breaker before plugging or unplugging your shore power cord-set from a pedestal outlet in the rain. That can result in a painful shock (or even electrocution – death from shock) if you’re standing in a puddle of water and make contact with a live wire.
![should iturn on the fan while baking in my rv should iturn on the fan while baking in my rv](http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_4qUezhBzD5w/S-DA1JFgr1I/AAAAAAAAAcE/AWK2Ax-i0Vo/s1600/Picture+154.jpg)
As you can see from the picture, it’s possible for your fingers to slip into the gap and touch the live contacts before the plug is totally seated. First, the American- (NEMA-) designed plugs we use in our houses and RVs are not totally safe for plugging into a live outlet. The problem with plugging and unplugging your shore power cord while the pedestal circuit breaker is on is actually twofold. So thanks for helping me to educate everyone. I’m not going to get into the psychology of “why” RVers do certain things, except to say that perhaps ignorance is bliss. That’s a great suggestion, so here it is.
![should iturn on the fan while baking in my rv should iturn on the fan while baking in my rv](https://flockler.com/thumbs/sites/192/swans_s0x768_q60.jpg)
Thought you should maybe mention someplace down the road for RVers to make sure they turn the breakers OFF before they disconnect their power cords. At any rate, when I went to hook up to the pedestal, all the breakers were in the ON POSITION! Why do RVers leave the breakers on when they leave the campground? The RV Park we stayed at was exceptionally nice. We just returned from our initial Spring Wake-Up Trip. Send your questions to Mike Sokol at mike (at) with the subject line – JAM. If you’re a newbie who’s never plugged in a shore power cord (or ask – what’s a shore power cord?), or wonder why your daughter’s hair dryer keeps tripping the circuit breaker, this column is for you. (Just Ask Mike), a weekly column where Mike Sokol answers your basic electrical questions. Please comment if you like this type of article format or not. Also, no whole wheat toast, only white bread or a toasted English muffin. I’ll change out the jam for blueberry occasionally, and possibly peach, but no grape jelly is allowed (ugh). This is an experiment to see if you like this Just Ask Mike ( J.A.M.) format for a secondary weekly column.