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--- electrical:shore_power [2019/08/10 00:14]
frater_secessus
+++ electrical:shore_power [2022/07/12 13:15]
frater_secessus [15A/20A shore power]
@@ Line 2: / Line 2: @@
 ====== 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's house  or at an RV park with full hookups (FHU).
+Note:  this section is presently US-centric.
+Shore power ("grid power", "mains", "wall outlet power") is AC power derived from the electric grid.  Shore power can run AC loads directly in campers so equipped, but more commonly it powers a [[electrical:converter|converter/charger]] that runs the [[electrical:12v:intro|12v house system]].
+The most common places RVers use shore power is when plugged in at someone's house  or at an RV park with full hookups (FHU).
 {{ https://i.ytimg.com/vi/wVYBei5BZmw/maxresdefault.jpg?200}}
 The most **common types of campsite hookups** are:
@@ Line 13: / Line 18: @@
 **15A** power receptacles are the familiar ones found in a residence.((NEMA 5-15, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/NEMA_connector#NEMA_5))  They can carry 1800W((http://rvservices.koa.com/rvinformation/rvmaintenance/rv-electrical-101.asp)) and are the type of shore power many DIY RVs and vans are built around.((assuming they have shore power receptacles at all)).
-**20A** power receptacles are similar but the "hot" leg has an additional spur.((NEMA 5-20, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/NEMA_connector#NEMA_5))  This arrangement **allows 15A plugs to go into 20A receptacles** but **prevents the heavier duty 20A plugs from being used in a 15A circuit**.
+**20A** power receptacles are rated for 2400W((http://rvservices.koa.com/rvinformation/rvmaintenance/rv-electrical-101.asp)).  They look like 15A outlets but the "hot" leg has an additional spur.((NEMA 5-20, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/NEMA_connector#NEMA_5)) This arrangement **allows 15A plugs to go into 20A receptacles** but **prevents the heavier duty 20A plugs from being used in a less-powerful 15A circuit**.((which might overload the 15A circuit))
-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.
+Because of the backward-compatible 20A socket **folks with 15A rigs can safely plug in at both 15A and 20A hookups**.
-The 20A outlet is rated for 2400W.((http://rvservices.koa.com/rvinformation/rvmaintenance/rv-electrical-101.asp))
-Note:  using a 10A circuit breaker on the RVs AC breaker box will prevent tripping a residential circuit breaker when the RVer might not have access to reset it.  A 15A breaker might or might not, depending on whether the RV or residential breaker trips first.
+Note:  If "driveway surfing" on an extension cord, using a 10A circuit breaker on the RVs AC breaker box will prevent tripping a residential circuit breaker when the RVer might not have access to reset it.  A 15A breaker might or might not, depending on whether the RV or residential breaker trips first.
 A 'dweller can safely power a 15A RV from a 30A outlet with [[http://amzn.to/2irQhRV|an adapter]].
 A 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://www.rvtravel.com/softstart946/))
 ===== 30A shore power =====
 {{ http://www.generatorsforhomeuse.us/wp-content/uploads/tt-30r.png?200}}

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