Supplemental RV Pedestal Installation

Helitac

This project consists of digging a 24" trench to lay down the direct bury power supply from our existing home meter and the installation of a RV power pedestal (50/30/20 amp). Purpose for the single pedestal is for company with 5-wheel/motor home.

We are planning on using a 4-wire flexible mobile home feeder wire suitable for direct burial w/ sweeps at both ends.


Questions:
What size feeder wire should we use?
With current prices, should we use copper or aluminum?
We live in lightning country, does the pedestal require a separate grounding electrode?

Thank you for any help or suggestions you may make.

Speedy Petey

1) Depends on the distance. Under 200' you can go #6CU.

2) If by lightning country you mean the southeast, I'd definitely go with copper. It's a good idea any way.

3) I assume this pedestal has breakers to distribute the load to the different amperage receptacles. You definitely need a ground rod at this remote panel.

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Sometimes I feel like if I answer any more questions it is like someone trying to climb over a fence to jump off a bridge and me giving them a boost.

Matsukaze

Around these parts, a supplementary grounding electrode at the RV pedestal is not required (http://www.cbs.state.or.us/bcd/programs/electrical/2008_electrical_interps/el_interp_RV_Pedestals.pdf), but may be installed if desired. The AHJ in your location may or may not see things the same way. It's probably a good idea to install the supplementary rod at the pedestal if you're in lightning country, even if it's not required.

Speedy Petey

If it is a remote sub-panel a grounding electrode IS required.

If it is just an RV receptacle no electrode is required, but a supplementary electrode could be used, not that it would do very much.
From the sound of it, "(50/30/20 amp)", this is a panel, not just a 50A receptacle.

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Sometimes I feel like if I answer any more questions it is like someone trying to climb over a fence to jump off a bridge and me giving them a boost.

Matsukaze

The interpretation I linked to would not apply to the original poster's situation since he is just setting up a space for one RV and not building an RV park. But, if it were a park, all the RV pedestals and the service feeding them would be considered to be a single structure. I have to wonder how many other AHJ's would stretch the definition of "structure" that far.

Helitac

We live in the mountains of western Montana which sees a lot of lightning.

Since the single RV pedestal will be located approximtely 150' from the meter, I will be putting in a panel, with a disconnect and individual breakers for 50/30/20 amp circuits.

Any ideas on where someone could pick up a prewired RV pedestal? Local hardware, Lowes and HD aren't familiar with what I need. Otherwise, I'll be back because I will have to make it myself.

This chat is great because it is really helpful in bringing up things one may not have thought of. I appreciate the exchange of ideas. Thanks!

mr500

Try


http://www.rvpedestal.com/

http://www.rvpoweroutlet.com/

Go to google type in RC Pedestal and BAMMO

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Im Not An Electrician...But I Did Stay At A Holiday Inn Express Last Night!!

micromind

I looked one up in the Square D catalog, it has a 50 amp, a 30 amp, and a 20 amp receptacle in it, along with the associated breakers. It's pedestal mount too.

It's a class 1140, catalog #PAK75G. The 20 amp recpt is GFI protected, if you want the 30 amp one GFI, add 'FI' to the end of the catalog#. This is a 2003 catalog (the current one is in my van, it's raining out, and I'm just too friggin lazy to go get it! lol), the list price is $671. The company I work for usually gets stuff like this for about 1/2-2/3 list.

Rob

Helitac

Thank you all for the help! An RV park owner referred me to the person who installed the pedestals in his park. He in turn referred me to a electrical warehouse, where I purchased a pre-wired 50/30/20 amp box.

The wholesaler was willing to sell me the flexible 4-wire but they thought the #6CU was a little light for the distance. I'll chase that down tomorrow.

Appreciate all the help you have provided. Thanks!

Dairygoat

I'm doing the same thing as you. I have already got the Pedesta but I still need to get the wire. Does any body know where I can buy the wire around Billings, Montana?

Speedy Petey

let me that for you

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Sometimes I feel like if I answer any more questions it is like someone trying to climb over a fence to jump off a bridge and me giving them a boost.

megronniger

I'm looking for instructions for hooking up the earth ground in a milbanks u5240 pedestal installation.

Saturday Cowboy

please start a new thread, it keeps things clear and grabs more attention for your post

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Ragged Trousered Philanthropist


Please follow the code - its there for your safety no matter how inconvenient.

sirsparksalot

Well, did you find anything?