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Old 08-20-2021, 10:22 AM   #21
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Brand: Thor Motor Coach
State: Georgia
Posts: 2,585
THOR #4735
actually, don't 'overblow' the reverse polarity situation, it's QUITE common... and, no, it is not 'dangerous' or is not something that will somehow 'hurt' your RV, or even YOU. Reverse Polarity is a very simple switching of the BLACK power wire with the WHITE neutral wire within a 120v outlet, or plug. It's a very easy and common 'mistake' when wiring an outlet, or plug, since there is normally no 'instructions' that come with 'which' wire goes to 'which' prong. Most outlets might have a 'gold' screw, which generally signifies where the BLACK power wire is attached, and a 'silver' screw where the WHITE neutral wire is attached, but not always.

'Hot Skin' condition is simply a 'leakage' to ground - meaning a slight 'tingle' or even a 'vibration' feeling when YOU become the 'ground', usually when moisture/water is present and you do not have shoes on ... You've become the 'path of least resistance' when you touch a metal surface of the RV.

This is an easy fix. Either the Shore Outlet has the wires reversed, or the RV can even have it's own shore cord male end reversed, in cases where the owner replaced the male plug end and reversed the wires.
This condition might not even be found for a long time, since having the right 'touch' with the elements involved might not happen too often. In dry conditions you might go without realizing the condition exists.

Reverse Polarity also does not typically cause concern with the internal 120v systems in an RV. Why? Simply because most any 120v applicance or device doesn't 'care' which wire is attached to which side of the outlet. As long as the 'path' of power to and from the device is connected, it works, otherwise NOTHING 120v in your RV would work, which is not the case.

I'll bet that if most RV owners who've experienced this condition, who 'believe' that it's dangerous, would probably be surprised that they also have a miswired outlet, or MANY miswired outlets, in their OWN HOME. The only way to be assured is to use an 'outlet tester' on EACH and EVERY one.

What's the solution? Simple. Remove power. Remove the outlet. Switch the Black and White wires. Restore power. Done.

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Old 08-20-2021, 12:09 PM   #22
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Brand: Thor Motor Coach
State: Missouri
Posts: 2,324
THOR #6903
Quote:
Originally Posted by TurnerFam View Post
actually, don't 'overblow' the reverse polarity situation, it's QUITE common... and, no, it is not 'dangerous' or is not something that will somehow 'hurt' your RV, or even YOU. Reverse Polarity is a very simple switching of the BLACK power wire with the WHITE neutral wire within a 120v outlet, or plug. It's a very easy and common 'mistake' when wiring an outlet, or plug, since there is normally no 'instructions' that come with 'which' wire goes to 'which' prong. Most outlets might have a 'gold' screw, which generally signifies where the BLACK power wire is attached, and a 'silver' screw where the WHITE neutral wire is attached, but not always.

'Hot Skin' condition is simply a 'leakage' to ground - meaning a slight 'tingle' or even a 'vibration' feeling when YOU become the 'ground', usually when moisture/water is present and you do not have shoes on ... You've become the 'path of least resistance' when you touch a metal surface of the RV.

This is an easy fix. Either the Shore Outlet has the wires reversed, or the RV can even have it's own shore cord male end reversed, in cases where the owner replaced the male plug end and reversed the wires.
This condition might not even be found for a long time, since having the right 'touch' with the elements involved might not happen too often. In dry conditions you might go without realizing the condition exists.

Reverse Polarity also does not typically cause concern with the internal 120v systems in an RV. Why? Simply because most any 120v applicance or device doesn't 'care' which wire is attached to which side of the outlet. As long as the 'path' of power to and from the device is connected, it works, otherwise NOTHING 120v in your RV would work, which is not the case.

I'll bet that if most RV owners who've experienced this condition, who 'believe' that it's dangerous, would probably be surprised that they also have a miswired outlet, or MANY miswired outlets, in their OWN HOME. The only way to be assured is to use an 'outlet tester' on EACH and EVERY one.

What's the solution? Simple. Remove power. Remove the outlet. Switch the Black and White wires. Restore power. Done.
The negative/neutral side of all standard 120v outlets is wider since early 60's

Back in the day plugs were the same size, positive and neutral
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