Hot skin can be caused by: – Reverse polarity or bad wiring at the power source – Improper wiring – Improper grounding – Loose or damaged connections – Using a 20-amp extension cord instead of a 30-amp or 50-amp extension cable – A damaged cord set
If it's on when you plug in and there is something wrong with the electricity, you could damage your plug, surge protector, or your RV's electrical system.
Before you plug in your RV, give the pedestal outlets a visual inspection. If the outlets look worn, or the wiring looks burned, don't take a chance by plugging your RV in at that pedestal. Even if things look good, test the circuit using a multimeter.
Your RV electrical cord and extension cable need to be in good shape to do their jobs properly. Protect your RV electrical cord and extension cable when not in use, and regularly inspect them for wear and corrosion.
If you try to run power through a 20-amp extension cord instead of a 30-amp or 50-amp cord, you could wreck your electrical system. This is another situation that can cause hot skin.
You can easily test your RV for hot skin using a non-contact voltage tester. A non-contact voltage tester looks like a pen and is a quick and easy way to check your RV for hot skin.
The ground pin is there to protect you in the event of an electrical problem. Using plugs and adapters without ground pins gets people killed every year. Don't become one of them!
Tripped breaker switches are telling you something. Continually resetting them wears them out. If you have a breaker switch that is continually tripping, find out what the cause is.
Overloading an AC outlet with a space heater or another high-wattage appliance can cause plugs and wiring to overheat and start a fire.
Loose electrical connections are always an electrical safety hazard. A loose plug connection can cause an RV hot skin situation. Be sure to twist and lock your cord set connector in place with the locking ring.
Using a good surge protector will protect your RV's electronics from damage in the event of a voltage surge. It may also save your life if you happen to hook up to a bad power supply.
Make sure you keep track of all your RV maintenance and repairs with an online tool such as RV LIFE Maintenance. Not only can you keep all of your documents in one place, but you’ll also receive timely reminders when maintenance is due to help you avoid costly repairs and potentially serious accidents.