Grounding Monitor Interrupters - Do Olivers Have This Already?

[CRM]

10 minutes ago, Snackchaser said:

Although fiberglass is not conductive, the frame, bumpers and hitch are!  

 

Under the right conditions, even the metal outside of appliances inside the camper could become energized. This could happen even if plugged into a GFCI outlet since GFCI's don't monitor for voltage on the ground. 

[Ronbrink]

On 10/16/2025 at 9:12 PM, CRM said:

A bootleg ground at the pedestal with an internal fault in the RV could do it. Not sure if the EMS would even see this as a fault. 

All the more reason to test the pedestal’s 30/50A receptacle before plugging in the AC power cord! I have the Progressive Industries 30A tester, which detects wiring faults; to include open ground, open neutral, open hot, hot/neutral reversed and hot/ground reversed. My pedestal surge protector also serves as a circuit analyzer and then a Hughes Autoformer staged as power first enters the Oliver. 

Edited October 19 by Ronbrink

[CRM]

47 minutes ago, Ronbrink said:

All the more reason to test the pedestal’s 30/50A receptacle before plugging in the AC power cord! I have the Progressive Industries 30A tester, which detects wiring faults; to include open ground, open neutral, open hot, hot/neutral reversed and hot/ground reversed. My pedestal surge protector also serves as a circuit analyzer and then a Hughes Autoformer staged as power first enters the Oliver. 

I have the same basic setup, though hardwired inside. One of the things it can't test for is a bootleg neutral/ground at the pedestal which is a wiring fault that can cause a lot of troubles if you have a fault inside the camper. Even worse is if you have a bootleg ground AND reverse polarity at the pedestal. This wiring fault will energize anything metal in the camper that is internally grounded with 120v and it can't be picked up by any EMS or three light testers. Using a non-contact voltage tester on the frame is the only easy way (other than getting shocked) that you would know... 

[Geronimo John]

On 10/17/2025 at 8:57 AM, CRM said:

 This condition is dangerous because it can result in a "hot skin" on the RV, meaning the metal frame and any connected appliances become energized at 120 volts.

 

On 10/18/2025 at 6:14 AM, Snackchaser said:

Although fiberglass is not conductive, the frame, bumpers and hitch are!  

I agree with both of the above.  We are incontact with the bumpers and frame typically at the dump station and when hitching up.  Maybe a few times during our stop.

BUT the steps are the one that could get most of us.... many times a day.  Not just casually, but when one foot is on the step and the other contacts the earth.  

GJ

That said, I'll not be changing our PI Power Mgt System any time soon.

Two other things that I do keep top of mind when working electricl are:

• Situations where "The Step Potential" could be in play
• Forgetting to keep one hand in my pocket when working a open hot panel or device.

 

Edited October 29 by Geronimo John