Keeping your RV fully operational is very important. Therefore, wiring your RV outlets is a major task. Since wiring your RV may be expensive if done by an electrician, reading this will help you solve a problem experienced by most RV owners: how to wire an RV breaker box and become your own electrician.
Table of Contents
What You Need
Before we dive into the process of wiring your breaker box for RV, let’s first get acquainted with the types of outlets that you should use to power it.
There are three types of outlets we have to be familiar with. Regular outlets are usually used to supply power to small trailers. For this type, we will be needing a GFCI (Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter), which should be at 20 amps.
Another type is a 30-amp outlet, which is perfect for your motorhomes and other recreational vehicles. A 50-amp outlet is mostly used for fifth wheels like larger motorhomes and trailers.
Understanding these types of outlets will help you in preventing casualties while wiring your RV.
Prepare the following tools and materials in wiring a 30 amp RV breaker box:
You need to prepare these indispensable tools for an efficient and smooth installation upon wiring your 30-amp RV breaker:
- 1/8-inch masonry bit
- 3/8-inch wall anchors
- Craft Knife
- Wood screws (size eight)
- Deep-lid weatherproof box (with flip-up cover)
- Felt-tip marker
- Wire Strippers
- Voltage Meter
- Electric drill
- Screwdriver
- Metal junction box
- TT-30R outlet
- Type UF-rated Wire
Procedure
Follow the easy steps below and wire your first travel trailer breaker box.
- Step 1: Before setting up, study and familiarize yourself with the RV breaker box wiring diagram for your purchased breaker box.
- Step 2: Find the perfect area where you will place your 30-amp outlet, somewhere accessible, constantly dry, and not prone to any accident. Use a weatherproof box if you plan to install it outdoors. Ensure that you mark the area on the wall where you will place the outlet and the positions of two small holes at the back of the box.
- Step 3: To secure the box to a masonry wall, the electric drill must have a 1/8 masonry drill bit for drilling holes, and the holes should be packed with 3/8-inch wall anchors. The box must be securely fastened with screws of size eight.
- Step 4: Remove the circular panel with holes; this panel can be found on the sides of the box. Find the metal junction box inside the box and firmly attach it to the wall. Make sure that the knock-out hole is pointed downwards.
- Step 5: Turn off the main switch on the circuit breaker board. The front panel inside the camper breaker box is called the dead-front panel. Unfasten the screws and remove it. For safety reasons, make sure that there is no current while doing this by using a voltage meter.
- Step 6: From the outer sheath of the wire, cut six inches on one end. Do not puncture the insulator of the 3 individual wires inside.
- Take your wire strippers; remove 1/2-inch of each wire’s insulation. Run these wires between your fingers to create durable copper pins. These should resemble some pieces of rope.
- Step 7: Slide and affix the black and red wires to the side of the 30-amp breaker. Connect the white wire to the neutral bus bar. Bear in mind that the terminals above the master switch are already working at this point. Then, reinstall the dead-front panel of your RV AC breaker panel.
- Step 8: To avoid loose loops, secure the wire using cable clips. The clips must not be too tightly fitted to prevent creating a strain spot.
- Step 9: Insert the end of the wire into the rainproof box and through the metal box. Do it from underneath the box.
- Step 10: Cut two inches of the wire casing using a craft knife. Be sure not to cause any damage to the insulation of the wires inside. Same as before, remove ½ inch of insulation from each of the wires with wire strippers.
- Step 11: Install the wires by holding onto the TT-30R. Tighten the terminals individually and insert them into the hole. Make sure that the wires do not come out of the hole after fastening and tightening the screws.
- Step 12: The TT-30R should line up with the tabs inside the box. Secure it with the fasteners that come with the outlet.
- Step 13: Put the motorhome’s main umbilical through the outlet. Make sure that the rainproof box is securely fastened on the plug.
Conclusion
Learning how to wire an rv breaker box may be a bit challenging in the beginning, but with the steps and tips above, you will surely and safely do it yourself.
After your first successful installation, be sure to remember this guide just in case you need to do an RV breaker box replacement in the future. There are also some helpful videos that you can watch to ensure safety while doing the process.
If you find this article helpful, share with us what you think by leaving comments and suggestions. Don’t forget to share this with your friends and family.
Okay, so I’m Philip Lopez. I join Riverside Trailer as an editor, where I will be doing research for both content and reviews. I contribute to studies aimed at understanding the most typical problems encountered by RVers on the road. I also keep up with the newest RVing gadget innovations so that I can promptly evaluate and recommend the best options.