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Burnt and Melted Electrical RV Plugs and Adaptors While RVing

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Written by Adrian Thompson   

 

While RVing, we sometimes find we have burnt or melted electrical connectors to our shore power. Obviously too much current is being drawn for the receptacle, adaptor or power cord by the RV. But why would this happen if the breaker is rated for the load? Surely the breaker would trip before the plug in devices were damaged in the RV.RVing - Burnt and Melted 30amp RV Plug
     RVing - Melted 30-15amp RV Electrical Adaptor
The answer is no, because other factors might be at play. The gauge of wire used to the power pole at the RV site may be too small for the load. The voltage of the RV park may be low. There may be a loose connection/s involved. Loose connections result in a small arc of electricity. This small arc, when a load is applied, causes the heat to build up.
 
While RVing in Mexico, you will find that most RV parks have standard 15amp outlets. In larger cities such as Mazatlan, Puerto Vallarta, Bucerias and Lo de Marcos, some RV parks have 30amp outlets and you can even arrange for a full 50amp outlet at your expense in a few RV parks if you will be staying for many months at a time. While a 30amp receptacle might be present at the RV site, the breaker is invariably no larger than 15 or 20amp.
 
RVing - Electrical RV AdaptorsThe 15amp outlet is the toughest to deal with as the loads in most RVs require a 30amp connection. RV 30amp and 50acables are heavy and 15amp adaptors place weight loads on the receptacle outlets often placed in awkward locations.
 
Add to this that most RV parks are located on the coast and corrosion becomes a factor on all connections and breakers.
 
Many people comment that they feel the breakers are not even 15amp capacity. In fact they probably are 15amp but the breaker is corroded inside resulting in reduced load capability as corrosion leads to poor connections and arcing.
 
Another factor is that some people bring 20amp breakers with them and switch them out. This results in a problem for the next person using the outlet. Expecting the breaker to blow with 15amps of load, burning and melting of connections can occur to the unsuspecting user.
 
RVing - Burnt and Melted 30amp RV Plug 2Here you can see some basic problems associated with high loads on plugs and adaptors. Pins have changed color due to high heat, plastic around adaptors and plugs has RVing - Melted RV Adaptor 15-30ampmelted.
           
 
 
 
 
RVing - Burnt and Melted 15amp Electrical Outlet (receptacle)This 15amp receptacle had a 20amp breaker supplying it. As you can see this receptacle has been melted and distorted out of shape. Not only the hot and neutral plug slots are burnt and melted, but the entire receptacle has received enough heat that even the ground pin hole is distorted out of shape.
 
I have observed that the cheaper adaptors available in most RV stores seem to be the most prone to melting. They are labeled as made in China and are all made out of a slightly pliable type of black plastic. The Chinese adaptors have no ULC markings. It makes me wonder if they are in fact approved and would your RV insurance company pay out, if you have used an unsafe adaptor in the event of a fire?   
    
 
 RVing - ULC Approved 30amp RV PlugBetter quality RV plugs and adaptors are available, which actually have UL certification markings. Below are some pictures of some UL approved adaptors and plugs. When I see a damaged connector, I replace it with a approved UL device.
 
  
RVing - 30-50amp RV Electrical Adaptor (Dog Bone Style)
 

 
 

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