Lights surge and the microwave died
2018 class A, 50A service, no surge protector. 50A campground pedestal
Customer says: The lights get bright and dim when the AC kicks on, and the microwave quit this morning.
The customer pulled the surge protector out last year because it kept shutting things off.
Tests you can run
- Each leg to neutral at the main panel, front AC running
- Hot to hot at the main panel
- Each leg to neutral with every 120V load off
- Neutral to ground at the panel, AC running
- Look at the shore cord plug and the pedestal outlet, power off
- At the pedestal alone: each leg to neutral, neutral to ground
- Replace the microwave
- Keep everything running to catch it in the act
Repair options
The lesson behind this case
Keep going on 120V and shore power
Learn it
- Shore power: 30A vs 50A
- Breakers, GFCIs and the EMS
- The lost neutral (50A danger)
- Transfer switches and generator power