Re: [A/S] Rewiring the Bambi, "HOTSKIN"

[Matt Worner <wornmatt@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

Eric,

The cable you want to wire the receptacles is known as 12-2 w/ground.  All 
the neutrals (whites) go to the neutral bar (insulated from the panel) in 
the panel, the blacks go to their respective breaker(s) and the green or 
bare coppers go to a separate ground bar which is bonded (electrically 
connected, usually with the mounting screw(s)) to the panel itself.  A 
number 12 wire is rated to 20 amperes, but can be protected with a smaller 
breaker.  The main cordset into the trailer should be a 10-3 rubber cord.  I 
prefer type SJO myself, it has a good sturdy jacket.  Note that the rubber
cord has black (hot) white (neutral) and green (ground) wires within.  For 
some reason the green wire is "counted" when buying rubber cord but not in 
building cable, such as romex.  Go figure.  When connecting the cordset into 
the panel, the black wire feeds the main breaker, the white on the neutral 
bar (isolated from panel) and the green to the ground bar (bonded to panel). 
 Most residential panels are set up for 220 volts and have 2 bus bars for 
the hot legs.  Just jumper them together to get the power to both busses.
The important thing to check is that there is NO connection from neutral to 
ground.  Many panels come with a long screw that reaches from the neutral 
bar, through the insulated mounting, into a tapped hole in the panel.  It 
should be shipped loose in the panel, green in colour, and stuck through a 
small piece of card board imprinted "bonding screw" or similar information.  
Note that "should be" does not necessarily mean "will be".  This screw is 
for use ONLY at the electrical service entrance to your house, NOT in a 
sub-panel, which is essentially what your trailer panel becomes every
time you plug into shore power anywhere.  I would also take a bare or green 
copper wire from the panel ground to the frame and shell of the trailer if I 
were you.  (I'd use a #8, myself.  Big grounds are always happy grounds.)  I 
don't know if it is a code requirement these days, but if it ain't, it durn 
sure should be!

Matt
(39 year journeyman wireman, Local 102, IBEW)