120-Volt Electrical System City Power; Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter - Airstream TOMMY BAHAMA 2020 Owner's Manual

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:
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�
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.
120-Volt Electrical System
City Power
When your touring coach is hooked up to external AC
power, the converter system automatically charges
the touring coach batteries regardless of the battery
disconnect switch position� 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, then
you should keep your touring coach hooked up to a
120-volt current if it is available�
While you are connected to the 120-volt receptacle, 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� Open the black decorative
converter door under the roadside ottoman� In the
event of a failure of a 120-volt circuit, first check your
touring coach circuit breakers and the breaker for the
outlet into which your touring coach 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�
2020 Tommy Bahama TC
The 120-volt electrical system provides power to
operate the A/C, 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 120 volt outlets are
located on the curbside exterior wall�
All wire, components, and wiring methods conform to
federal and state requirements�

Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter

Most states require touring coach's with exterior
120-volt receptacles and receptacles close to a water
sources, such as a faucet, to have a GFCI� 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�
The system incorporates GFCI breakers that
implement an auto self-test functionality� When turned
off, these breakers require external AC or generator
power to be present, or the AC inverter enabled, before
they can be turned back on� If power is present from
one of these sources, and the breaker refuses to stay
on consult an electrician or certified RV technician.
Each GFCI circuit breaker is calibrated to trip with a
ground current of 5 mA or more� Since most people
can feel as little as 2 mA, 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�
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�
GFCIs are proven lifesavers; however, consumers
need to take a few minutes each month to perform this
simple test� By taking action, you can help protect your
family from the risk of electric shock�
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.
Interior
WARNING
5-15