My 30 amps sparks when plugged in

[cladouce]

Hello Forum Members,
I Drive a 2018 24 HL Four Winds and when I plug the power line in a 30 amps or a 15 amps socket it sparks even if the main power switch is off. This cause a little damage to my plug (arching burns small marks in the plug) . I'm not an expert but I do not believe this is normal. I would appreciate some insight on this. Thanks.

[Pete'sMH]

Originally Posted by cladouce

Hello Forum Members,

I Drive a 2018 24 HL Four Winds and when I plug the power line in a 30 amps or a 15 amps socket it sparks even if the main power switch is off. This cause a little damage to my plug (arching burns small marks in the plug) . I'm not an expert but I do not believe this is normal. I would appreciate some insight on this. Thanks.

You should always turn the pedestal breaker off before you plug in and then flip it back on to prevent that very thing.

[cladouce]

So it's normal that it sparks if there is power in the pedestal

[halfprice]

Originally Posted by cladouce

So it's normal that it sparks if there is power in the pedestal

I'd say its not normal. Check the voltage at the pedestal to make sure its ok

[16ACE27]

Originally Posted by cladouce

So it's normal that it sparks if there is power in the pedestal

Yes, as soon as connection is made load is drawn by things in your RV like the converter, fridge, or any other AC load that may be on.

[paulwadley]

You should not have anything sparking. It may take more checking to find the reason to prevent a fire.


Paul

[Pete'sMH]

I’d say it’s not abnormal. If you turn every circuit breaker IN YOUR COACH off before you plug in it probably won’t spark but with the coach trying to draw power (something is “on”) it can do that. Just be sure the pedestal breaker is off when you plug in. Like it says in your owners manual.

[Bob Denman]

If you're plugging in at the pedestal without flipping the breaker to "Off": it's to be expected...

...But don't do it! It's tough on your ELE trial system.
.
I'd it's sparking with the pedestal breaker off: something is very, very wrong...

[DbleDutch]

Normal with our 5r and now our Class C. My home 20a line is always hot (on). I lost 2 converters in our 5r before I learned to turn off the converter at the breakers before plugging in. Slow learner I suppose. The diodes in the converters are easy to blow. Any way to control the connection process (switch/breaker) is preferred, rather than by a hot power line that connects erratically.

[cavie]

Originally Posted by 16ACE27

Yes, as soon as connection is made load is drawn by things in your RV like the converter, fridge, or any other AC load that may be on.

OP stated the main power switch is off. Nothing should spark.

[cavie]

Originally Posted by cladouce

Hello Forum Members,
I Drive a 2018 24 HL Four Winds and when I plug the power line in a 30 amps or a 15 amps socket it sparks even if the main power switch is off. This cause a little damage to my plug (arching burns small marks in the plug) . I'm not an expert but I do not believe this is normal. I would appreciate some insight on this. Thanks.

If the main power switch is off, be it the ped or the RV, you should NOT be getting any sparks. Have an electrician look it over. EMS would have a time delay so you would not see any sparks. If you are using an Autoformer and the switch you speak of is the ped switch is on, then you would see sparks. If you see sparkes with switches off you have a load on someplace. I have see 1 MH with an outlet in front of the Transfer Switch for GEN auto start that would cause this condition if the PED switch is on. That is why you need to shut off the ped every time you plug or unplug.

[16ACE27]

Originally Posted by cavie

OP stated the main power switch is off. Nothing should spark.

You're assuming when they said "main power switch is off" they were talking about the 120 VAC input breaker on their breaker panel. They are much more likely referring to their battery disconnect.

[cavie]

Originally Posted by 16ACE27

You're assuming when they said "main power switch is off" they were talking about the 120 VAC input breaker on their breaker panel. They are much more likely referring to their battery disconnect.

Youbarenabsolutly correct. I did not think of that. The electrician in me blocked that out. I hope he comes back and tells us what switch he is talking about.

[Bob Denman]

That's why I specified power at the pedestal...
We just don't know what he is referencing with his statement.

[lwmcguire]

Exactly!

And while testing make sure that your plug is dead and the ground is good

Originally Posted by cavie

If the main power switch is off, be it the ped or the RV, you should NOT be getting any sparks. Have an electrician look it over. EMS would have a time delay so you would not see any sparks. If you are using an Autoformer and the switch you speak of is the ped switch is on, then you would see sparks. If you see sparkes with switches off you have a load on someplace. I have see 1 MH with an outlet in front of the Transfer Switch for GEN auto start that would cause this condition if the PED switch is on. That is why you need to shut off the ped every time you plug or unplug.

[cladouce]

Originally Posted by halfprice

I'd say its not normal. Check the voltage at the pedestal to make sure its ok

Hello, I attached a picture of my power switch that is OFF on my coach. When I plug in my RV in the wall plug of the garage (always hot) the plug sparks.

[cladouce]

Originally Posted by DbleDutch

Normal with our 5r and now our Class C. My home 20a line is always hot (on). I lost 2 converters in our 5r before I learned to turn off the converter at the breakers before plugging in. Slow learner I suppose. The diodes in the converters are easy to blow. Any way to control the connection process (switch/breaker) is preferred, rather than by a hot power line that connects erratically.

So even with the Coach main Power switch off you got sparking when you plugged in a hot power outlet?

[cladouce]

Originally Posted by cavie

Youbarenabsolutly correct. I did not think of that. The electrician in me blocked that out. I hope he comes back and tells us what switch he is talking about.

Hello, I attached a picture of my power switch that is OFF on my coach. When I plug in my RV in the wall plug of the garage (always hot) the plug sparks.

[Beau388]

Originally Posted by cladouce

Hello, I attached a picture of my power switch that is OFF on my coach. When I plug in my RV in the wall plug of the garage (always hot) the plug sparks.

That switch only disconnects the batteries from the 12 volt fuse panel. It does not isolate the A/C for the coach. Either use the 30 amp circuit breaker under the coach's bed or the house/pedestal circuit breaker to isolate one side of the cable.

[cavie]

you are turning off the battery. Not the 120 volt system. Turn off the ped breker then plug in. time to go to Youtube and learn about yopur rig.