Anyone know what the circuit breaker labelled "MICRO" controls?

[thomlinson]

I only ask because it doesn't control the microwave, which was my initial guess. That is controlled by the "GENERAL" breaker.

I got into the panel because my three ceiling-mounted power outlets stopped working. I think I'll just replace them all with Leviton ones without troubleshooting to see which one has gone bad, given the (often commented on) appalling quality of those that are in there now. Would be worth the $10 not to have to worry about whether the wires are still making contact or not from one day to the next.

And I will throw all the breakers before I start - if the one labelled MICRO doesn't control the microwave, who knows which one controls the outlets.

John

[SeaDog]

I suspect the Micro was for the microwave and the actual wire got put on the wrong breaker Microwaves are normally on there own breaker I wold pull the distribution panel and check the wiring.

[cavie]

My thought would be. Turn it off and see what does not work. Should take every bit of about 5 minutes.

There is no box installed for the ceiling mounted outlets so you will have more work than you bargained for. If trouble shooting is not your thing than by all means have at it.

My guess is the Micro labeled breaker is for the 3 outlets that are not working in the ceiling since the General breaker is working the microwave.

Just my guess.

[ependydad]

My Microwave and Refrigerator breakers were reversed.

On each new RV, I take a non-contact voltage detector and turn off all of the breakers. Then one by one, I turn them on and go check all of my outlets. Don't forget about the water heater + back of the fridge. I make a note file with what controls what so that I can easily remember it.

[DouglasReid]

This is an interesting thread. I had something similar. I looked at my panel and I have two separate breakers labeled "SC Prep" and "2nd AC".

The AC Prep was obviously the factory location but the power to the unit is supplied by 2nd AC breaker.

I turned off the AC Prep and so far nothing I can find is inop. Im guessing it has no wire connected to the breaker at all.

Sounds to me like I have a 20 Amp circuit in search of something that needs power. I will have to look around for something to install. Im open to suggestions

[cavie]

Originally Posted by DouglasReid

This is an interesting thread. I had something similar. I looked at my panel and I have two separate breakers labeled "SC Prep" and "2nd AC".

The AC Prep was obviously the factory location but the power to the unit is supplied by 2nd AC breaker.

I turned off the AC Prep and so far nothing I can find is inop. Im guessing it has no wire connected to the breaker at all.

Sounds to me like I have a 20 Amp circuit in search of something that needs power. I will have to look around for something to install. Im open to suggestions

That is correct. A/C prep is for the non-existent 2nd A/C. That is done per NEC. Breaker and wire in place. Install the 2nd A/C

[Adrian Gordon]

Originally Posted by thomlinson

I only ask because it doesn't control the microwave, which was my initial guess. That is controlled by the "GENERAL" breaker.

I got into the panel because my three ceiling-mounted power outlets stopped working. I think I'll just replace them all with Leviton ones without troubleshooting to see which one has gone bad, given the (often commented on) appalling quality of those that are in there now. Would be worth the $10 not to have to worry about whether the wires are still making contact or not from one day to the next.

And I will throw all the breakers before I start - if the one labelled MICRO doesn't control the microwave, who knows which one controls the outlets.

John

I must not understand something here and perhaps somebody can teach me what I'm missing.


As I understand your problem, you have three ceiling mounted AC outlets that are not working, am I correct?


If so, why do you believe that it's the outlets that are bad rather than some other circuit issue? It just seems unlikely that all three outlets would fail at the same time and more likely that they are out because of another circuit problem. What am I missing?

[Larry-NC]

Originally Posted by cavie

There is no box installed for the ceiling mounted outlets so you will have more work than you bargained for. If trouble shooting is not your thing than by all means have at it.

Just my guess.

(Just to expand on Cavie's comment above...)

You can't replace those outlets with Leviton (except the GFI in the bathroom). These outlets have no terminal screws. They simply clamp over the Romex and contact the copper wires inside. See the picture below. They rarely go bad.

It is much more likely that there is a loose terminal screw at the breaker panel, either black at the breaker or white at the neutral bus. Unplug from AC power and tighten every screw you can find at the breaker panel.

By the way, I can't remember ever seeing an RV with outlets in the ceiling. Is this an A-frame or something? And is it one of those A-frames where you have to plug in an extension cord that runs from the bottom to the top before raising it? If it is, plug in the cord!!!

[DRM796]

just following

[DrLewie]

Originally Posted by SeaDog

I suspect the Micro was for the microwave and the actual wire got put on the wrong breaker Microwaves are normally on there own breaker I wold pull the distribution panel and check the wiring.

An RV tech once told me mis-identified wiring is common in RV manufacturing. I've not had it on my AC circuits, but not on my 12v I have. Also, the exterior jacks for SAT and Cable were reversed.

[ependydad]

Originally Posted by Larry-NC

By the way, I can't remember ever seeing an RV with outlets in the ceiling.

Strangely, my Spartan toy hauler has an outlet in the front bedroom's ceiling.

[Herk7769]

Originally Posted by ependydad

Strangely, my Spartan toy hauler has an outlet in the front bedroom's ceiling.

Front AC prep?

[ependydad]

Originally Posted by Herk7769

Front AC prep?

No, literally an outlet on a 15amp breaker (along with the outlets at the end tables in the master bedroom, TV in the master bedroom, TV in the garage, and a random outlet on the wall in the garage).

The front A/C is on its own 20amp breaker.

[thomlinson]

Originally Posted by Adrian Gordon

I must not understand something here and perhaps somebody can teach me what I'm missing.


As I understand your problem, you have three ceiling mounted AC outlets that are not working, am I correct?


If so, why do you believe that it's the outlets that are bad rather than some other circuit issue? It just seems unlikely that all three outlets would fail at the same time and more likely that they are out because of another circuit problem. What am I missing?

As I understand it, the outlets are daisy-chained, so if one goes bad, they all go bad. I did whip them all out last night, and one of them has power to it but no power leaving - I'm assuming that's where the problem lies, but I haven't had a chance to re-wire the outlet yet.

Slow, but progress nonetheless.

John

[thomlinson]

Originally Posted by Larry-NC

(Just to expand on Cavie's comment above...)

You can't replace those outlets with Leviton (except the GFI in the bathroom). These outlets have no terminal screws. They simply clamp over the Romex and contact the copper wires inside. See the picture below. They rarely go bad.

It is much more likely that there is a loose terminal screw at the breaker panel, either black at the breaker or white at the neutral bus. Unplug from AC power and tighten every screw you can find at the breaker panel.

By the way, I can't remember ever seeing an RV with outlets in the ceiling. Is this an A-frame or something? And is it one of those A-frames where you have to plug in an extension cord that runs from the bottom to the top before raising it? If it is, plug in the cord!!!

It's a regular travel trailer, and, strictly, only two of the outlets are ceiling-mounted - the other is on the underside of a cabinet that is.

One of the outlets "went bad" - it had power coming in but not going out to the next in the daisy chain. However, I will take a look behind the breakers to make sure everything looks good back there.

This is the second failure of those push-fit cheapo terminals, and with a bit of judicious wire-stripping and electrical tape (to cover the wire bared by the push-fit connectors) they can be replaced with Levitons.

John

[thomlinson]

Originally Posted by cavie

My thought would be. Turn it off and see what does not work. Should take every bit of about 5 minutes.

There is no box installed for the ceiling mounted outlets so you will have more work than you bargained for. If trouble shooting is not your thing than by all means have at it.

My guess is the Micro labeled breaker is for the 3 outlets that are not working in the ceiling since the General breaker is working the microwave.

Just my guess.

Yeah, the "no box" thing is a bit of a problem. I'm thinking of wrapping all the metal parts of the replacement outlets in electrical tape, but I don't know if that's enough. It does appear to be the first outlet in the chain that went bad (I have power to it but not from it), so I may be able to re-use the other two original outlets, although I hate those things - they seem designed for failure.

I haven't yet found anything that ceases to work when the MICRO breaker is thrown.

John

John

[cavie]

Originally Posted by thomlinson

It's a regular travel trailer, and, strictly, only two of the outlets are ceiling-mounted - the other is on the underside of a cabinet that is.

One of the outlets "went bad" - it had power coming in but not going out to the next in the daisy chain. However, I will take a look behind the breakers to make sure everything looks good back there.

This is the second failure of those push-fit cheapo terminals, and with a bit of judicious wire-stripping and electrical tape (to cover the wire bared by the push-fit connectors) they can be replaced with Levitons.

John

Be sure you insurance doesn't laps.

[Oafdawg]

Originally Posted by Larry-NC

(Just to expand on Cavie's comment above...)

You can't replace those outlets with Leviton (except the GFI in the bathroom). These outlets have no terminal screws. They simply clamp over the Romex and contact the copper wires inside. See the picture below. They rarely go bad.
!

Why can't you replace them? I replaced both receptacles in the living area with standard 15 amp with USB receptacles. I used old work boxes to mount the outlets in and it works fine.

[Oafdawg]

Originally Posted by thomlinson

Yeah, the "no box" thing is a bit of a problem. I'm thinking of wrapping all the metal parts of the replacement outlets in electrical tape, but I don't know if that's enough. It does appear to be the first outlet in the chain that went bad (I have power to it but not from it), so I may be able to re-use the other two original outlets, although I hate those things - they seem designed for failure.

I haven't yet found anything that ceases to work when the MICRO breaker is thrown.

John

John

Use old work boxes to mount the new outlets, they work great as the have the "ears" that those junk trailer receptacles have.

[ependydad]

Originally Posted by Oafdawg

Why can't you replace them? I replaced both receptacles in the living area with standard 15 amp with USB receptacles. I used old work boxes to mount the outlets in and it works fine.

Originally Posted by Oafdawg

Use old work boxes to mount the new outlets, they work great as the have the "ears" that those junk trailer receptacles have.

Same here. I replaced 4 different outlets and used old work boxes in each case.