1/17/2024 0 Comments 8 gauge 30 amp extension cordTo power your RV at home or camp, you need a cord that can handle the wattage of a 30-amp plug. A 30-amp system does not have a heavy electrical load, so you mostly see those with a smaller RV carrying minimal accessories. Most RVs come with a 30- or 50-amp electrical system. When might you need 30 amps and an extension cord to access it? The most common example is to power an RV. In the same vein, when you use an extension cord that cannot handle the electrical current provided by a 30-amp plug, you will not have sufficient power to run your equipment. What happens when you plug in an appliance that needs more power than your outlet can provide? The breaker pops. When Do You Need a 30-Amp Extension Cord? So, what needs 30 amps of electrical power and when would you need an extension cord to access it? Consider this brief guide your answer to that question. The word "amp" refers to the unit of constant electrical current needed to power something. Or you may just have to get closer to the pedestal.A 30-amp extension cord is a cable used to power large appliances and recreational vehicles that need more power than a standard extension cord can provide. In this situation make sure you do not use a 50 A male to 30 A female adapter at the pedestal end, and just use the pedestal's 30 A outlet (if available). For any load higher than 50 A, the pedestal's breaker should trip, but anywhere in the load range between 30 A and 50 A, nothing will prevent overloading of the 30 A cable. The next 30 A male to 50 A female adapter will connect the 30 A cable's single hot lead to both hot leads of the 50 A cable, and thus to the two 50 A circuits in your RV.Īt your RV, you could attempt to use a total load of up to 100 A (the two 50 A circuits). Starting from the pedestal: the 50 A male to 30 A female adapter will connect one of the two 50 A pedestal circuits to the single hot lead of the 30 A cable. If you have a 50 A coach and a 30 A extension, the pedestal has a 50 A outlet, and you can't reach the pedestal with just your 50 A cable you might be tempted to use this combination: Your 50 A cable, then a 50 A to 30 A adapter, then your 30 A cable, then a 30 A to 50 A adapter so that you can plug into the pedestal's 50 A outlet. In the discussion of 50 A and 30 A extension cables, it should be noted that there is one combination that actually presents a fire hazard and not just a reduced voltage problem. That will tell you if your cable is too small. No matter what size you have, when you have a heavy load, go and check each plug and cord for heat. I have both and for the addapter I made my own out of the same guage size of my 50 amp cord. They can tell you the guage size you would need.Īlso, as was said, you could buy a 50 amp extension cord. Then take a trip to your local electrical suppy house and ask them what size guage stranded wire you would need to carry 120 volts/50 amp power 52 feet. Check the extension you wish to buy for the same information. The wire guage will be stamped or imprinted every 12 to 18 inches. I don't want to lose voltage as well.ĭon, look at your 50 amp cord. cord with a dogbone in the middle? And if we do, how much. Do we lose any voltage by having what will end up being a 52 ft. extension cord for an upcoming camping trip.
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