30-Amp and 50-Amp RV Service: 8 Things You Need to Know

Hi! If I have 50amp inlet going to a 50amp breaker, can this go into a 3000 watt inverter (max 30amp) or is another step requires in between to protect the inverter?

I understand how the 30 amp service differs from the 50 amp service, such as 50 amp having two legs that are 50 amps each leg, w/ a total of 100 amps, and a 120/240 split service. Some larger higher end RVs have appliances that use the 240 volt service (A/Cs, ovens, dryers, etc); I know ther are adapters for plugging into a 50 amp service when you only have a 30 amp RV, and vice versa. Ny question is, if you have a RV that has 50 amp service, but go somewhere where only 30 amp service is available from shore power and you utilize the adapter, what happens to those appliances that are 240 volt (like if someone turns on the 240 volt oven or the 240 volt A/C tries to kick on), do they automatically know not to come on or just don't work, or do they try to come on and get destroyed because they require 240 volts and are only drawing 120? Thx!

Very informative article, thanks. I’d like to plug my camper van into the 15-amp outlet in a garage but my 30-amp power cord doesn’t reach. Can I use an extension cord from the garage outlet to a 15-amp X 30-amp adapter and then pug into the 30-amp cable to the van?

I never understood why there is not a double, 15 amp Y into a single 30 amp converter? The same thing is made to allow 30 amps to go into a single 50 amp but why not 2x15 into a single 30? Thanks!

I’m a bit confused as to how a 50a to 30a adaptor is configured. As I understand it a 50a service is 2 120v legs (+neutral & ground) but the onboard panel is not set up like a household panel. Another words nothing is wired for 240v. All breakers a single pole, 120v. That being the case a 30a 120v service is only powering 1 half of the 50a panel. OR does the adaptor power Both halves of the 50a panel/ if so, then everything in the TT would have power but limited to a total of 30a. And I can see where folks would likely trip the breaker at the pedestal without much trouble.

A question regarding OK length from RV post to trailer: I'll have a personal RV post between 40 and 60 feet from my trailer. For 30A, is it typically OK to use a 25 foot power cable with a 50 foot extension to stretch from the RV post to the trailer? What about 50A (I may eventually have a 50A trailer). The RV post will have 30A and 50A receptacles, my current trailer is 30A (2018 19-foot Flying Cloud Airstream). Thanks!

how do i plug in my 7way rv plug on my horse trailer at a camp ground with only 30 amp and 50 amp plug ins? thanks

I have a RV park. Explain to me about 50amp breakers, how many amps can the pull? I read that each leg can supply 50amps each, or is the break suppling a total of 50amp? The bigger rigs will trip breakers, we measure each leg and it's show 39.2 0n one leg then 20.1 on the other leg. What's happening and how to I explain?

I have read the comments and I am a little lost. I have a travel trailer that is wired for 50amps. The trailer is wired with two circuits as there are two AC units and I assume that one is on each circuit. When using a conversion dog bone - 50amp to 30amp it appears that the plug is only using one of the legs to send power into the trailer. If this is the case, how is the other circuit getting its power or is there a bus bar in plug that is linking both legs into one?

Hello, I have a 50 amp trailer that often needs an adaptor to use a 30 amp power source. I'm confused as to which EMS to purchase that will protect my unit (30 amp or 50 amp)? Thanks,

Dear Expert Regarding the Power Grip RV Power maximizer CAM55025P Which allows you to Y together a 30amp and 15amp plug into a 50amp plug. How is this Y wired? are the 30 and 15amp wired together and fed to both phases of the 50amp plug or does the 30amp line connect to one phase of the 50amp plug and the 15amp line connect to the other phase of the 50amp line? thanks

Dear Natalie, I am using a Camco RV Power Defender Voltage Monitor # CAM55306, connected with an adapter to a 15 amp outlet in my home workshop. I've been using this CAM55306 for about 5 years to keep RV battery charges, run lights, etc. During the extreme power outages we had in Texas over the past week, I ran it for several days on a portable generator. After electric service was restored, I plugged everything in as before, but now the red 'warning' light is on constantly, and the power light (that blinks for a couple of minutes when hooking up before coming on steady) is continuing to blink as long as it is plugged in. Does this mean the CAM55306 is going bad (it's 5 years old), or does it indicate another problem?

Parallel two 2500 Westinghouse gens. (18.3running.amps 20 peak peach) Have a 50 amp parallel cable with nema 14 50 plugged into a. 50 amp 15 ft extension cord (nema 14 50 amp). From this I've ordered a 5 plug 110 plug for he use. Shall I worry? Can this work. as back up?

I have a 50 amp RV and connected into a 15 amp/110 outlet over the winter to maintain my batteries. My refrigerator is a residential unit with no way to turn it off unless I disconnect it. Will the batteries still charge with the refrigerator running?

I have a 50 amp Rv. Can I use a dual 30 amp to 50 amp “Y” adaptor to two 30 amp on a 9000 w generator?

If you have an RV with 50 Amps service .With two legs of 120 Volts each .When you’re plugged in to a 15 amp cord how is everything in the RV still work?

This is a good article that has a lot of very good good information but it leaves me confused about the power source. A typical house has 3 lines from the power pole that has 2 power lines and a return. Between either power line and return measures 120V. Between the two power lines measures 240V (2 phase). Does a 50 amp service from the power pedestal provide power similar to house power? That is, measuring between the 2 power lines yields 240V?

I thought 30 amp coaches were 30 amp everywhere and 50 amp were 25 one side 25 the other

We just bought an RV trailer that uses 30 amp service. We want to install an RV receptacle at home. Since we may decide to upgrade to a larger 50 amp trailer at some point, does it make sense for us to install a 50 amp receptacle at home and use a converter? Is that any less safe?

Question. We just purchased a new trailer that has 50 amp service. The 50 amp cord is tough to handle. Not all places we go has 50 amp service. Instead of using an adapter (50 to30). Will a 30 amp cord pug into the trailer in place of the 50 amp cord?

I have a 30amp trailer. Bought a generator that has a 30amp, 4-prong 240v receptacle. Can I take my cord from the trailer, get an adapter to hook directly to the 4-prong receptacle and power my rig that way? I think that is what this article was about but I want to make sure. I've read from other locations that even with that, I should only use the 15 amp receptacle. Why the 30 amp receptacle on generators then?

Info above very helpfull. My son inlaw purchased a generator that has a 50 amp 240 volt outlet. His house has a 30 amp 240 volt service line with 4 prongs. Is it safe to pug into this line? The house already has a set up breaker box for power failure.

I used a MightyCord 14-50P to TT30-R adapter to plug my RV into a 220V 14-50 outlet at my house (used for an EV car charger), and only remembered it was 220V a few seconds later. There doesn't appear to be any damage to the RV, which really surprised me. Is it possible this is due to the adapter not using all the wires from the 14-50, and thus not transferring 220V to the RV? I'm relieved there was no damage, but is it safe to use in this way?

Why is there no 6-50p to TT-30r adapter available? This would go from my welder outlet in the garage so I can plug my 30a trailer in.

I have been looking on your site to find a 30amp receptical and plug that are compatible for my travel trailer, and two that might be comparable the numbers are A 10-30FDT and A 10-30INBKUP. I am contacting you to verify these numbers that could be a match that would connect together. Could you help me for conformation on these items. Thank for the help.

I have a 50 Amp receptacle on the outside of my house where I plug in my generator when I lose electricity in storms. My RV is also 50 Amp, so I am wondering if I can plug into that receptacle to power my RV? Will power run in the right direction?

We have a teardrop trailer that runs on 30amp. Other than connecting to charge at home we've not yet camped at sites with power. This is all new and a bit confusing so bear with me. We have a 30/15a dogbone adapter. We will be staying a a site soon that has 20A. What do we need to connect?

I am storing my 50 amp fifth wheel where there is a house plug 15 amp service. I have purchased your 50 amp to 15 amp adapter to connect at the RV. From the adapter I am running my extension cord to the House outlet. Can I use a 15 amp surge protector? And what size lead cord should I be using?

I have a 2018 30-amp travel trailer, 33' long, one 15K A/C unit. I often camp at parks where both 30 and 50 amp hookups are available at my site. Would it be more beneficial to always hook up to the 50 amp service when available to take full advantage of all 30 amps of power I may need? I've stayed at some parks where the 30 amp breakers were weak and would trip before full load. Please let me know. Thanks.

Is there or can it be made, a 50 Amp plug that is divided into a 30 amp & 20 amp receptacle? That way I could use the 30 Amps to power my RV and the 20 Amp to power my added AC unit going thru a 50 Amp Power Defender/Circuit Analyzer. Also where could I get it?

Thank you. Very helpful.

I have a 30 RV and I use a 30 Amp surge protector. I will be camping at a park with 50 Amp service. I have a 50 to 30 amp dog bone for the connection. Is the proper way to hook up to connect the 50 to 30 dog bone to the pedestal then plug in my 30 amp surge protector and then my 30 amp cord to camper?

So, I have an RV with a 30 amp system. I purchased a 50 amp Portable RV EMS with Surge Protection EMS-PT50X by mistake. Question: With a 30 amp supply at a campground, can I plug the 50 amp surge protection into the 30 amp supply and then attach a 50 amp - 30 amp dogbane and not worry?

one other thought to my previous post about 50A vs. 30A : they should be more accurately described as 50 amp - 240 volt to 30 amp - 110 volt adapter, because you just cant assume anything anymore! take note manufacturers.

The 50 amp side of the adapter has 2 pins for power (black), 1 pin for common (white), and 1 pin for ground (green); the 30 amp side of the adapter needs only one black pin to be connected to one of the 30A pins to give you 110 volts. If you want to check your adapter to make sure your 240V - 50A power supply is being converted to 110V-30A, you can test one side pin or the other with a volt meter to see if its "dead". I havnt been able to find an explanation of this until I recently bought a clear plastic 50A to 30A plug style adapter that you can see the wiring inside, and one of the 50A pins is not connected, so voila! 110volts and my RV is not fried!

I’m new to home generators. I bought a Champion 3400 for power before the next Harvey or Ike hits. I want to know the type of safe extension cord I need to run from the generator into the house for the frig and portable a/c. Thanks

I think 15-amp powered RVs are typically small, so they do not need a lot of power. They use the same power capacity as the ones that you find at home. What do you think about that. Thanks for your useful information in the article!