Important - check this every time you set up

Originally posted by JohnBG Would an RV surge protector/power analyzer that shows an "open ground" condition suffice for this test?

Also be aware that any of these Surge or EMS Protectors won't detect a problem downstream of themselves. So if you have a protector plugged into the pedestal, but the shore power connector plugged into it develops an open ground, then you may never know about it. That's just one reason why I personally like hard-wired Surge and EMS Protectors that are wired directly into your coach. Less to go wrong without extra connectors in the line. 

Originally posted by techntrek Welcome back, Mike.

Thanks.... I've been out of the loop for the last two months due to eye surgery, so I wasn't able to read computer screens very well. But my eyesight is coming back now.

I'm working on two projects that should be interesting to this forum. First, I just shot a video demonstrating how to easily determine if a portable generator has a floating neutral, then what to do about it. My son should have it edited this week, and I'll post a link here once it's online.

Secondly, I'm finishing the wiring on my F.O.G. Matrix (FUBAR Outlet Generator). This matrix switch box will allow me to quickly create any of 125 different outlet wiring conditions, only one of which is correct. Then I'll demonstrate how to meter a mis-wired outlet and use that information for troubleshooting. The problem with NEC trained electricians is that they often don't get to experience mis-wired outlets so they don't know how to identify them in the field.

Mike Sokol

I just shot a video about testing and neutral-ground bonding a portable generator so it can work with an EMS Surge Protector. See https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M-bTLdMjuqU

Mike Sokol
www.NoShockZone.org

Originally posted by techntrek I see you have a shiny new Honda!  So quiet you could barely hear it on your mic.

Actually I cheated a bit and used a DPA d:fine mic with a cardioid pickup pattern. (Remember, I'm a pro-sound guy and teach advanced audio production for a living). I consider the d:fine to be the best headset mic in the world, and often use them in challenging audio situations where I want to cancel background noise. The mic itself is around $700 and the XLR microdot adapter another $50. Yikes...

But yes, the Honda EU3000 is amazingly quiet, which is why us sound guys often use them to power small portable stages for outside music festivals.

And I'm really liking the Progressive EMS Surge Protectors since I've not been able to destroy one yet. That is, I've been shorting them out and applying over-voltage on purpose just to see what happens. Their engineering department has dared me to try to break one, but it still keeps working. I'll let you know how that turns out.

Mike Sokol

Here's the deal with "ground rods". They don't actually "ground" your RV the same way that the "ground wire" does. Why the confusion? Well, the "ground wire" is actually a bond to the neutral conductor in the main service panel, in addition to an "earth ground" connection via the ground rod. The "ground wire" is more properly called the EGC (Equipment Grounding Conductor) and will have an impedance of under 1 ohm. This allows it to trip a circuit breaker quickly in the event of a line-to-chassis short. On the other hand, a ground rod by itself can have up to 100 ohms impedance to earth and still be code compliant. So a chassis connection to a ground rod by itself won't draw enough current from the circuit breaker to trip it in the event of a hard short to chassis.

Hot-skin conditions come in at least three flavors. Low-Current, Mid-Current, and High-Current. While a ground rod by itself might be able to shunt the Low-Current variety of a few mA (milli-amps) to earth. It won't be able to reduce the voltage of a mid or high current fault. And any Low-Current fault can easily escalate itself to a very dangerous Mid-Current (10 mA to 1,000 mA) or High-Current (1 to 20 amperes) fault at any time. So while a ground rod by itself can drain away what would normally be non-dangerous tingles, it can't do anything to clear dangerous shocks.

Plus the NEC doesn't allow for a remote ground rod that's not bonded (attached) to the primary service panel's ground-neutral connection. The reason for that is all the points I made above.