Imported RVs Mains cabling risk

Several electricians have advised of an electrical risk that can endanger those working on mains cabling in inadequately modified RVs imported from the USA and Canada.

Neutral is indicated in Australia and New Zealand by black or more recently by blue. Active is indicated by red or more recently by brown.

America and Canada however does not legally specify any specific colour (or color) for neutral or active. But whilst none can be assumed, their installers commonly use black for active, and many imported RVs are reported as retaining original US/Canadian standard cabling.

Whilst no-one should work on live domestic or RV cabling, the use of black for a cable that would locally be regarded as neutral, introduces extra risk.

America and Canada specifies colours for grounded conductors only. Earthed metal is tagged green. Earthed conductors must be white, natural gray – or anything except green - or may simply be marked accordingly.

A further issue is that some imported RVs (originally intended to run at 110-0-110 volts) are claimed to have one such 110 volt conductor for ‘active’ and the other, or the ‘0’ cable for ‘neutral’, but now running at 240 volts across cable intended for 110 volts.

I advise owners of US/Canadian made TVs to have their vehicle checked by a licensed electrician for compliance. Some, claim electricians, do not. Nor do some others that I’ve seen myself.