(December 26, 2018) — The Pennsylvania RV and Camping Association (PRVCA) has announced an RV electricity technician training seminar to be held Jan. 31 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Keller Marine and RV in Port Trevorton, Pa. The all-day session will be taught by RVtravel.com’s Mike Sokol, the nation’s leading authority on RV electricity.
Instruction will cover the basics of electricity, how AC and DC power are used in RVs, the causes of hot-skin/stray-voltage and how to test for it, RV battery technologies, electrical system maintenance and other topics.
Only 30 seats are available. The course is free of charge to PRVCA members and lunch is included. Technicians are asked to bring their own meter and writing utensil.
Any other companies or groups interested in having Sokol provide instruction at their conventions, rallies or other events can reach him at mike(at)RVtravel.com.
For Mike Sokol
I want to install a 30 amp box hook up on a stand in my RV concrete slab in my back yard. I hear of several methods, but some don’t sound so safe. What is the proper and safe way? I know it has to be totally separate with its own breaker and the wire needs to be at least 6-12 inches underground, and that wire is expensive. I’d like it to be in a pvc pipe so if there is digging at least the pipe will be visible. Yes, I realize I need an electrician, but not all electricians deal with RVs.
Would like your input.
I’ll answer this more at length in my RVelectricity Newsletter this coming Sunday, but here’s the basics. According to the National Electrical Code NFPA-70 any non-protected wiring must be buried at least 18 inches below grade. And since plastic (non-metallic) conduit does not protect the wiring from penetration due to a shovel or whatever, it still needs to be 18″ deep. However, if you use metallic conduit then your wiring can be only 6″ below grade. These depths can vary from state to state, and county to county, so you’ll need to check with your local electrical inspector.
Also, many residential electricians will take one look at an RV TT-30 plug and assume it has to be wired for 240-volts, and that’s simply not the case. It is indeed a 120-volt electrical service which only needs a single-pole circuit breaker on a minimum of 10 gauge wire. However, if there’s any significant length of run (100 feet or more) it’s better to use 8 gauge wire in order to reduce the voltage drop.
And NEVER let any electrician try to convince you that a 30-amp pedestal outlet for an RV is a 240-volt service, as that generally will destroy your RV’s electrical system in a few seconds if you plug into it.
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