Airstream CLASSIC 2021, Owner'S Manual

Page: 41 / 104

5-13
Interior
2021 Classic
1� Attach the three-pronged plug to a two-pronged
adapter� The third conductor line of this adapter
has a short wire lead, that must be grounded�
2� For proper grounding, connect the short ground
lead to a grounded outlet box or to a cold water
pipe� When no water pipe is available, drive a
metal rod two feet into the ground and attach the
ground lug to it, thus, providing the unit with proper
grounding�
To operate self-contained, simply disconnect the power
supply cable�
NOTE
When the three-pronged plug can be used,
there will be no problems with proper polarity or
grounding with a properly wired shoreline outlet.
NOTE
When operating with city power, make very certain
that the service is 120-volt and not 240-volt.
Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter (GFCI)
Most states require trailers with exterior 120-volt
receptacles and receptacles close to a water sources,
such as a faucet, to have a ground fault-circuit
interrupter� When properly installed, the GFCI circuit
breaker provides reliable overload and short-circuit
protection, plus protection from ground faults that might
result from contact with a
HOT
load wire and ground�
WARNING
The GFCI circuit breaker will NOT reduce shock
hazard if contact is made between a HOT load wire
and a neutral wire or two HOT load wires.
Each GFCI circuit breaker is calibrated to trip with a
ground current of 5 milliamperes or more� Since most
people can feel as little as 2 milliamperes, a distinct
shock may be felt if the need for protection exists�
However, the shock should be of such short duration
that the effects would be reduced to less than the
normally dangerous level� However, persons with acute
heart problems or other conditions that can make a
person particularly susceptible to electric shock may
still be seriously injured� 120-Volt power needs to be
present to reset the GFCI breaker�
While the GFCI circuit breaker affords a high degree of
protection, there is no substitute for the knowledge that
electricity can be dangerous when carelessly handled
or used without reasonable caution�
120-Volt Electrical System
City Power
When your trailer is hooked up to external AC power,
the converter system automatically charges the trailer
batteries regardless of the position of the battery
disconnect switch located on the Multiplex Control
Panel� If the 7-way cord is hooked up and, depending
on your vehicle, your tow vehicle battery will be
charged as well� The speed and degree of charge
depends on how much power is used for lights and
appliances, as only the surplus goes to charging the
battery� If you are making an extended stay, you should
keep your trailer hooked up to a 120-volt current if it is
available�
While you are connected to external AC power, the
wiring is protected by circuit breakers in the breaker
panel� The circuit breaker panel for the 120-volt system
is located in the converter� In the event of a failure of a
120-volt circuit, first check your trailer circuit breakers
and the breaker for the outlet into which your trailer
shoreline cord is plugged� If a breaker continues to
trip after you have reset it several times, your circuit
may be overloaded with appliances or there may be a
short in the circuit� Try lessening the load on the circuit�
Perhaps an electric griddle, hair dryer, or an electric
heater can be turned off� If that does not solve the
problem, consult an Airstream Service Center�
The 120-volt electrical system provides power to
operate the air conditioner, converter, and 120-volt
receptacles for portable appliances� The power is
carded through the 120-volt city power flexible cord to
the 120-volt distribution panel, and then is distributed
to each appliance or receptacle� Exterior outlets for
120-volts are located on the curbside exterior wall�
All wire, components, and wiring methods conform to
federal and state requirements�
Converter
The converter system is a transformer designed to
maintain constant output voltages regardless of the
variances that occur in city power systems� The design
eliminates the need for complex electronic sensing
systems to charge the batteries, minimizing the
possibility of failures and greatly increasing its overall
reliability�
In some older parks and other locations where three-
pronged outlets are not available, certain precautions
to ensure proper grounding and polarity must be taken�
These precautions are listed below: