Monaco 2008 Knight, Owner'S Manual

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162
2008 knight
elecTrical sysTems - house — 8
When using outlets, care should be considered
when applying loads such as electric motors,
heaters, coffee makers, toasters, hair dryers or
other large current consuming loads. The current
rating is usually stated on most electrical items.
The current rating will either be rated in amps or
watts. Current ratings stated on electrical items
will change slightly with voltage fluctuations.
As voltage increases, current consumption
decreases. As voltage decreases, current
consumption increases. This may explain why
in some instances items operated at borderline
voltage to current tolerances may seem fine in
one location but problematic in another.
NOTE
To calculate watts to amps simply divide
the watt figure by the voltage of which
the item operates. For example: The
electrical item is rated at 1370 watts.
Divide that by the operating voltage of
115 Volts AC which equals 11.913 Amps.
Use this formula to calculate the amount
of load and compare to the available
power supply.
GFCI Breakers & Outlets
A Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter (GFCI) can
be found in two different types of applications.
One type is incorporated in a breaker used in 120
Volt AC breaker panels; the other is incorporated
in an outlet.
The GFCI, whether it is a breaker or an
outlet, offers two types of protection. One type
of protection is from over-current or shorts to
guard against hazardous ground fault currents
that can result in injury or death. Ground fault
currents are currents that flow from the “hot” or
power terminal through a person to the ground.
For example: touching a faulty appliance while
making contact with an electrical ground such as
a water fixture or the earth.
The GFCI offers protection against the type of
shock that can result from faulty insulation, wet
wiring from inside an appliance, or any device
or equipment plugged in or wired to that circuit.
The ground fault portion of the outlet or breaker
uses sensitive electronics inside the outlet or
breaker to detect a ground fault problem. The
electronics monitor the normal current of power
flowing to the hot (black) wire through the load
(eg. a light bulb or appliance) and coming back
on the neutral (white) wire. If a small amount of
current comes back on the safety ground wire,
the electronics will trip the breaker or outlet,
stopping the flow of electricity. The amount of
current it takes to trip the device from a ground
fault varies slightly from the different outlet or
breaker manufacturers (approximately 4 to 6
milliamps or less).
NOTE
One milliamp is 1/1000 of one Amp.
Electrical shocks resulting from ground faults
can be felt, but such a shock is considerably
less than one without ground fault protection.
People with medical conditions that make them
susceptible to shock, can still be seriously
injured. A GFCI outlet or breaker will not protect
against shock from a normal current flow. For
example: a shock from touching both metal
prongs of an electrical cord or appliance while
plugging it in.
WARNING
If a breaker or outlet continually trips,
DO NOT continue to reset breaker
or outlet until the problem has been
identified and corrected.
NOTE
The ground fault outlet or breaker
should be tested once a month to ensure
it is operating. Use the TEST button on
the outlet or breaker. It should trip with
an audible “click.” The breaker or outlet
will not trip if AC power is not present
at the device. If power is present and
the device will not trip, replace it before
using that circuit.
DIStrIBUtIon panel
House 12 Volt DC
The 12 Volt house contains fuses (located in
a bedroom cabinet) that protect the electrical
circuits. These fuses are the standard automotive
type.
Typical arrangement of fuses.
060165s