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electrical:shore_power [2017/01/01 09:52] frater_secessus [15A/20A shore power] |
electrical:shore_power [2024/04/30 12:25] frater_secessus [ports] |
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====== Shore power ====== | ====== Shore power ====== | ||
- | Shore power is AC power derived from the electric grid. The most common places RVers use shore power is when plugged in at someone' | + | |
+ | |||
+ | Shore power ("grid power", | ||
+ | |||
+ | The most common places RVers use shore power is when plugged in at someone' | ||
+ | |||
+ | ===== United States ===== | ||
+ | |||
+ | The US power grid is 120VAC at 60Hz. | ||
{{ https:// | {{ https:// | ||
The most **common types of campsite hookups** are: | The most **common types of campsite hookups** are: | ||
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* 15A/20A only | * 15A/20A only | ||
* 30A only | * 30A only | ||
- | + | ==== 15A/20A shore power ==== | |
- | ===== 15A/20A shore power ===== | + | |
{{ http:// | {{ http:// | ||
- | **15A** power receptacles are the familiar ones found in a residence. | + | **15A** power receptacles are the familiar ones found in a residence.((NEMA 5-15, https:// |
- | **20A** power receptacles are similar | + | **20A** power receptacles are rated for 2400W((http:// |
+ | Because of the backward-compatible 20A socket **folks with 15A rigs can safely plug in at both 15A and 20A hookups**. | ||
- | Boondockers and vandwellers will likely set up their shore power to run on the 15A. Because of the backward-compatible 20A socket they will be able to use their 15A plugs at both 15A and 20A hookups. | ||
- | Note: using a 15A circuit breaker on the RVs AC breaker box will prevent tripping a residential circuit breaker | + | Note: |
A ' | A ' | ||
- | ===== 30A shore power ===== | + | 15A Extension cords should be 12-14ga for 50' cords and 10-12ga for 100' cords. |
+ | |||
+ | Mike Sokol of RV electrical fame, says: | ||
+ | |||
+ | > if there’s a 20-amp circuit breaker and 12-gauge wire feeding a 15-amp outlet, it’s actually rated for 20-amps of current. There’s an exception in the code as well as UL allowing this, so don’t worry. If you’re on a 20-amp breaker with 12-gauge wiring, then you have a 20-amp circuit, even if it’s using a NEMA 5-15 outlet.((https:// | ||
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+ | ==== 30A shore power ==== | ||
+ | {{ http:// | ||
+ | 30A is the standard setup for small-to-medium RVs.((NEMA TT-30, https:// | ||
+ | |||
+ | If the 30A circuit on a 30A/50A pedestal is broken or malfunctioning the camper can use [[http:// | ||
+ | |||
+ | The 30A-equipped RV can also run off a 15A/20A outlet with an adapter but would have to be careful not to exceed the 15A/20A limit. | ||
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+ | |||
+ | ==== 50A shore power ==== | ||
+ | {{ https:// | ||
+ | |||
+ | 50A to 30A adapters will use one leg of the outlet to feed the RV with 50A. | ||
+ | |||
+ | |||
+ | ==== constant-duty rating ==== | ||
+ | |||
+ | The constant-duty((continuous load)) rating of each is 0.8 of the normal rating: | ||
+ | |||
+ | * 50A is rated to 6,000w on each leg (4,800w constant duty) | ||
+ | * 30A is rated to 3,600w (2,880w constant duty) | ||
+ | * 20A is rated to 2,400w (1,920w constant duty) | ||
+ | * 15A is rated to 1,800w (1,440w constant duty) | ||
+ | |||
+ | |||
+ | |||
+ | ==== ports ==== | ||
+ | [[https:// | ||
+ | A //shore power port// is designed to let you plug power cables into the side of your van or RV. As discussed above, RVs typically use 30A/50A service -- they use [[https:// | ||
+ | |||
+ | Vans typically use [[https:// | ||
+ | |||
+ | - use a [[https:// | ||
+ | - sand the edges to remove sharp edges | ||
+ | - treat edges with paint, primer, rust preventive, etc to prevent rust. The edges will not be visible once the port is installed | ||
+ | |||
+ | === adapters === | ||
+ | |||
+ | There are adapters you can use to convert 30A shore power outlets to 15A, 50A to 15A, etc, but you will still be charged for the full power outlet. | ||
+ | ==== power testers ==== | ||
+ | Before plugging into shore power the RVer may want to test the receptacle for "good ground, open circuits, reversed polarity and safe voltage." | ||
+ | Note that the tester reports conditions at the time of testing; | ||
+ | |||
+ | ==== surge protectors ==== | ||
+ | [[http:// | ||
+ | More [[http:// | ||
+ | |||
+ | |||
+ | ===== Europe | ||
- | 30A is the standard setup for small-to-medium RVs. It is typically sufficient to run an air conditioner and other items in the RV. | + | The grid standard on the European continent |
- | If the 30A circuit on a 30A/50A pedestal is broken or malfunction the camper can use [[http://amzn.to/2hGJNzH|an adapter]] to get power from the 50A circuit.((http://rvbasics.com/techtips/50-to-30-amp-adapter.html)) | + | RV outlets are reported to be mainly |
- | ===== 50A shore power ===== | + | |
+ | ===== United Kingdom ===== | ||
+ | The grid standard on the European continent is 230Vac at 50Hz. | ||
+ | RVs connect with [[https:// |