Electrical Wiring Hook-up for RV’s

You’ve got that nice, comfortable RV sitting on your driveway or in your garage, and maybe you’re thinking:

• That would be a great place for visiting friends and relatives to stay.
• My friend who needs a place to live could move in there.
• The RV could create extra living space at our vacation home.

If so, you’re probably wondering if you can just hook your RV up to your home’s electrical system.

The answer? Yes, if you’re careful. To keep it safe and avoid any full-blown disasters, consult a qualified electrician before you start tinkering with your home’s wiring.

The most basic method is to simply run a short, weatherproof extension cord to your home’s electrical system. A better option is to have a licensed SESCOS electrician add another wire to your circuit panel.

This solution can work if:

• your guests are staying for just a few days.
• only one or two people are using the camper.
• you’re powering small, low-wattage items like the light fixtures, refrigerator and TV.
• you aren’t using heat, air conditioning or high-wattage appliances.

If you plan to use the RV often, or your guests want to use energy-gobbling appliances like dishwashers, microwaves and hair dryers, you will need to install new wiring in your house.

• Most RVs are wired with 30- or 50-amp systems while most homes have 15- to 20-amp wiring.
• The smaller amperage is enough to keep the lights on and a few small appliances at the same time.
• Some RV experts warn that frequently running the RV on lower amps will cause your RV’s appliances to overload and wear out.

Do you need more power? For the safest results, consult a SESCOS electrician before you start inviting guests over.

An electrician should install a 50-amp circuit dedicated to the RV if:

• your guests are staying a month or more.
• you need to run heat or air conditioning.
• you want to keep the RV’s appliances operating properly.

For the ultimate in safety and convenience, install an RV pad at your house or vacation home. This will allow you to get full hookups to electric, water and sewer lines and turn your RV into a home away from home.

This is a great solution for a vacation home you visit frequently, or if your RV guests are going to stay for a few months or longer.

There are a lot of good reasons to let a professional local electrician handle your RV hookups and any changes to your home’s electrical system.

• RV electrical systems have their own color codes that may not match what you know about residential, commercial or any other type or wiring.
• Using the wrong equipment or wiring could damage your RV’s parts beyond repair.
• People who aren’t used to living in RVs could accidentally overload the circuits and burn out the wiring.

When it comes to electricity, it’s always better to be safe than sorry. The last thing you want is guests who are left in the dark or the cold because your RV’s electricity went haywire.

SESCOS technicians have the knowledge, skill and experience you need to handle RV hookups and any other electrical issues. Give us a call today and we’ll get you road-ready, or driveway-ready, in no time.