Plug Melting/Arcing

[grumpy0374]

On the road 1000 miles from home. Noticed when unplugging 30 amp plug from motorhome, plug and receptical had melting/arcing marks on them.
30 amp locking ring type female plug into the matching 30 amp male inlet.
Have a PI EMS that never tripped, but it's downline from the inlet, perm mount after the outlet.
Thinking a bad pedestal at campground, maybe low voltage or bad outlet. Not a "surge". Never overloaded system at campground as ac was not needed. Only high use was microwave.
Cord and outlet still usable until replacement comes. Having new cord and inlet delivered to next campground---arriving next Tues.
Opinions of cause???
Grumpy

[B and B]

Loose connections, that is it. My bet 100%. 2 Rockwoods both loose wires both melted. Replaced under the 2 year warranty.

[grumpy0374]

Thats what I was thinking. Can't check the campground as we already left.
I've checked all connections in the Lexi, and cord plug ends and everything it tight n right.
Thinking bad/loose connection at pedestal 30 amp plug.
Now using a 50 amp to 30 amp plug in at pedestal as we all know 30 amper is most used and most likely to go floooey.
Grumpy

[CedarCreekWoody]

There have been some cases of the twist lock not being fully engaged on the inlet. Be sure it is fully twisted. Lock ring does not assure it is fully engaged.

[FFred]

"Now using a 50 amp to 30 amp plug in at pedestal as we all know 30 amper is most used and most likely to go floooey."

Good idea , folks with an understanding of electric might try this exercise.

Make up 2 adapters for the 50-30 cable use.

Wire one set so the 240V "black" lead is the power source , the other so the "red" lead is the source.

In many camp grounds there can be a 5-15volt difference between what is supplied as the camp wiring was not done well.

The higher the line voltage , the fewer amps will be required to run most equipment.

[grumpy0374]

Originally Posted by CedarCreekWoody

There have been some cases of the twist lock not being fully engaged on the inlet. Be sure it is fully twisted. Lock ring does not assure it is fully engaged.

On the one I have it plugs in and then it needs to be twisted a bit to fully engage, then ring is locked.
Goin out for a bit now---trip on the Mount Washington in Wolfeboro, NH.
Grumpy

[TitanMike]

If the burning/arcing is at the receptacle on the side of your RV, I seriously doubt the condition of the campground receptacle had anything to do with it.

Either not "twisted to lock" or on the back side of the receptacle where the wires from the RV connect, connection(s) is/are loose.

Over the years I've made it a point to check all connections like this after a period of service. Have uncovered several connections that were either left loose during construction or loosened after a few heat/cool cycles.

Same for the last two houses I had built. Opened panel and checked all connections to the circuit breakers. Any looseness will lead to heat and heat leads to expansion then cooling. A downward spiral which leads to buned connections.