Question about plugging in and unplugging from shore power

[olustee bus]

A friend tells me that after I plug into shore power, I should wait a minute or two before turning on any equipment like air conditioner. Also he tells me that, before I unplug, I should turn off the equipment and wait a minute or so before I unplug.

Is there a reason for that?

[wildtoad]

While it is better to allow things to cycle off before unplugging, most will handle the disruption just fine just as it does with a power failure. Plugging in should be good too.

[Old-Biscuit]

Right at power pedestal S/B the appropriate circuit breaker for the receptacles
50A...double breaker
30A...single breaker
15/20A...single breaker

OPEN the CB prior to plugging in your shore power cord and then after plugging in CLOSE the CB

Simple as that..no need to wait.
Course one should have appliances turned off prior because you are either getting ready to leave or you are just arriving.....except for Fridge IF you travel with it on propane --in auto it swaps to LP on loss of AC and swaps back to AC when you get power back

Reason for opening the Circuit breakers at power pedestal is so you don't cause any arcing on plugs/receptacle lugs as you shove/pull power cord plug


Once you are plugged in and CB closed........start up any thing you want......electricity is FAST

[530ktm]

Originally Posted by olustee bus

A friend tells me that after I plug into shore power, I should wait a minute or two before turning on any equipment like air conditioner. Also he tells me that, before I unplug, I should turn off the equipment and wait a minute or so before I unplug.

Is there a reason for that?

It is wise to turn off the breaker at the power source, plug in and then turn on breaker. If equipment is on you can get an arc from the draw when you go to plug in. I do not see why your friend says you should wait to unplug after turning off the equipment other than to let the things cycle off if they need to, like a furnace will do after the flame goes out. Again, it is wise to turn off breaker at source and then unplug for same reasons.

[olustee bus]

good information. Thanks

[vsheetz]

I ensure high current items such as air conditioning, microwave, etc. are not turned on when connecting/disconnecting power to the coach or transferring from shore to/from generator. Breakers on the CG power pedestal should be off when plugging/unplugging the shore power cord. But no need to wait to engage loads once shore power is applied.

[MtnTrek]

Originally Posted by Old-Biscuit

Right at power pedestal S/B the appropriate circuit breaker for the receptacles
50A...double breaker
30A...single breaker
15/20A...single breaker

OPEN the CB prior to plugging in your shore power cord and then after plugging in CLOSE the CB

Simple as that..no need to wait.
Course one should have appliances turned off prior because you are either getting ready to leave or you are just arriving.....except for Fridge IF you travel with it on propane --in auto it swaps to LP on loss of AC and swaps back to AC when you get power back

Reason for opening the Circuit breakers at power pedestal is so you don't cause any arcing on plugs/receptacle lugs as you shove/pull power cord plug


Once you are plugged in and CB closed........start up any thing you want......electricity is FAST

Agreed. Arching the prongs and socket of receptacles should be avoided.
Most modern A/C's and other appliances that require them have time delay relays.

[MSHappyCampers]

Originally Posted by Old-Biscuit

Right at power pedestal S/B the appropriate circuit breaker for the receptacles
50A...double breaker
30A...single breaker
15/20A...single breaker

OPEN the CB prior to plugging in your shore power cord and then after plugging in CLOSE the CB

Simple as that..no need to wait.
Course one should have appliances turned off prior because you are either getting ready to leave or you are just arriving.....except for Fridge IF you travel with it on propane --in auto it swaps to LP on loss of AC and swaps back to AC when you get power back

Reason for opening the Circuit breakers at power pedestal is so you don't cause any arcing on plugs/receptacle lugs as you shove/pull power cord plug


Once you are plugged in and CB closed........start up any thing you want......electricity is FAST

Good advice, as usual! This question was not asked, but it is recommended that A/C's and any other heavy loads be turned off before switching between shore power and generator, or vice versa. This prevents arching of the auto transfer switch contacts!

[parkerbill]

Originally Posted by vsheetz

I ensure high current items such as air conditioning, microwave, etc. are not turned on when connecting/disconnecting power to the coach or transferring from shore to/from generator. Breakers on the CG power pedestal should be off when plugging/unplugging the shore power cord. But no need to wait to engage loads once shore power is applied.

Same here.

[Hooligan]

OP Your friend may have meant the Generator..

Onan recommends to start the generator and let it run a few minutes before connecting large loads. On shutdown, disconnect large loads and allow the generator to run for 3-5 minutes to cool down before shutdown, to prevent run-on or backfire.

[Old-Biscuit]

Originally Posted by Hooligan

OP Your friend may have meant the Generator..

Onan recommends to start the generator and let it run a few minutes before connecting large loads. On shutdown, disconnect large loads and allow the generator to run for 3-5 minutes to cool down before shutdown, to prevent run-on or backfire.

That is good advice/practice for any brand of generator

Start and let it get up to speed, stabilize and voltage regulator in control prior to adding load
Then unload and let gen come down to idle and let windings cool down a bit prior to shutting down

[TonyMac]

if you have a surge protector, it will do the wait for you. If you do not have a surge protector, get some candles and be prepared for a pissed off wife when the bad pedestal in your future fries your electrical system. I have the Progressive 50 amp portable -- bought it AFTER a bad pedestal fried my transfer switch, and I endured the Wrath of the Wife for the weekend.

[Chiefblueman]

One quick safety note. Check to make sure you don't have a load on the system. When turning the circuit breaker on at the pedestal, step to the side and only expose your hand to the panel. Do not put your face in front of the panel and throw the handle. A circuit breaker can arc over and short due to dirt dust or poor condition. The temps generated can be hotter than the surface of the sun, spraying molten copper and steel. As an electrician for too many years, I have known two fellows that have experienced this. Both were injured but fortunately their faces were not in the line of fire. This was with the dead front in place. I've seen a lot of rickety equipment out there. Better safe than sorry!

[jpharley]

I would second getting electrical management protection like the Progressive Industries EMS. Ours is hard wires, we plug into the pedestal, then the EMS checks the power source to ensure it is functioning properly before allowing power into the RV. Once the EMS allows the power to the RV, we are free to use anything. Our EMS has saved our electronics many times as it finds improperly wired pedestals. EMS products are not that expensive and you can hard wire or use a portable product. Some people think they do not need them but it only takes one time for a power problem to ruin your electronics.