Motor Home Circuit Electrical Troubleshooting
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How to Detect Motor Home Outlet Circuit Failures – The power source should be tested from the closest junction box to the panel and out from there to all the other affected outlets. A visual Inspection of the outlets, wiring and wire connectors. |
Causes of Motor Home Outlet Circuit Failures
[ad#block]This problem is in my motor home and the circuit has worked for several years but suddenly three of the outlets do not have power.
- There is a GFI that has power at the GFI outlet and at one other outlet. But different outlets that are controlled by the GFI do not have power.
- I’m Not sure if a GFI can be wired so the not all outlets are controlled at the same time.
- Can a GFI be getting old and only letting power through a single circuit.
- The strange thing is that the power keeps coming and going on these outlets, there are three, while the other outlet has power as does the outlet with the GFI.
- The only thing plugged in is a Sleep Comfort mattress and the power light is on sometime and off other times.
- I have not been able to determining any cause as it even happens at night.
- When I looked at the GFI outlet, there were two sets of wires connected, the same as you would have in an outlet where one plug is switched and the other is hot all the time.
Hope this has given you enough info to give me an idea of what to do.
Thanks,Lee
This electrical wiring question came from: Lee, a Handyman from Cataldo, ID
Additional Comments: This is my first time to visit this site.
Dave’s Reply:
Thanks for your electrical wiring question Lee.
How to Detect Motor Home Outlet Circuit Failures
INSTRUCTIONS
- Yes, GFI outlets can go bad and stop supplying power to the load side of the wiring, this is why testing GFI outlets and circuit breakers periodically is a great idea.
- You do mention that the power is on and off at times, so this indicates that there may be a loose connection.
- The power source should be tested from the closest junction box to the panel and out from there to all the other affected outlets. A visual Inspection of the outlets, wiring and wire connectors will most likely reveal the problem.
REFERENCES
Wiring Diagram GFI
The features and benefits of GFCI outlets and receptacles will give you a clear understanding of the importance why these safety devices are required by code to help protect you and your family against accidental electrical shock hazards.
For more information about GFCI Wiring
GFCI Wiring
GFCI Wiring
This list of articles will help you learn about the features and benefits provided by GFI and GFCI Receptacles and how they are wired.
The following may also be helpful for you:
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We have no power to any of the outlets in the motor home. We may have had too many small appliances on this morning. Everything is now unplugged. The circuit breaker to the outlets was reset. Pushing the reset button on the GFCI does nothing. The button doesn’t change positions. What else can we try?
Hi Judy, if the GFCI Reset or Test button does not depress then that means that the circuit does not have power. So you will need to locate the electrical circuit panel in your motor home and check to see if a circuit breaker has tripped off, and I’m guessing that is what you will discover. You may want to test the GFI outlet after the circuit power is restored.
Happy Traveling and Thanks for Visiting Ask-The-Electrician!
Dave
Hi I recently discovered that my fridge and some outlets over the sink no longer get power. I determined that the load side of the GFCI may be the culprit. I replaced the outlet in the bathroom. I now have proven I have power to the load side of the GFCI outlet by checking output. I still do not have power down line. Before i start opening all outlets and looking for broken, loose wires, do you have any ideas? This unit worked just fine before putting into storage for the winter. Baffled — Thanks, Dayle
Hi Dale,
The outlets that provide power for the refrigerator and kitchen outlets typically are not on the same circuit as the bathroom. The bathroom gfci outlets are usually on a dedicated circuit by itself. I would look in the kitchen for a gfi outlet that may be tripped off, or a circuit breaker that might be off before I started opening outlet boxes.
Dave