SmartPlug Systems announced that all its RV cord sets now have an integrated LED reverse polarity indicating system. This important safety feature protects owners and RVs against improperly wired campground power pedestals and conforms with 2020 NFPA 70 Standard 551.40(D).
Reverse polarity occurs when the neutral or ground wire is connected to the hot terminal in error. RVers typically aren’t aware of this dangerous situation when plugging their camper, trailer or motorhome into a campground pedestal. While the power may appear to function normally, giving the indication that all is well, there is a serious potential risk of electric shock or a short circuit that could damage valuable electrical components.
Similar to a residential plug testing tool, the enhanced SmartPlug has an easy-to-use color LED display. RVers will instantly know if power from the campground is flowing correctly with a blue LED. If the ground wire is swapped in a reverse polarity condition, a red light will glow. Likewise, if the neutral wire is swapped, both the red and blue lights will illuminate. If there’s no power at all, the LEDs will not light. Owners can then notify campground staff of the problem.
“Protecting people has always been at the forefront of everything we do at SmartPlug Systems,” said company President Tony Barber. “The SmartPlug is the safest RV shore power plug on the market, and we’re pleased to enhance it with the reverse polarity feature.”
The SmartPlug replaces old, outdated twist-type shore power connections, the company said. Featuring a robust pin and clip design, it offers more than 27 times the metal-to-metal contact than traditional systems for maximum power transfer, the company said. With an asymmetrical shape, it slides straight in, so there’s no aligning a delicate “L” blade, nor fumbling with the threads of a locking ring. Dual side locks keep the plug securely in place.
SmartPlug provides the LED reverse polarity indicating system on its 30A and 50A cord sets in 25-foot and 50-foot lengths.