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electrical:shore_power [2019/08/10 00:14] frater_secessus |
electrical:shore_power [2022/09/13 18:55] frater_secessus [30A shore power] |
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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' | + | |
+ | Note: this section is presently US-centric. | ||
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+ | Shore power ("grid power", | ||
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+ | The most common places RVers use shore power is when plugged in at someone' | ||
{{ https:// | {{ https:// | ||
The most **common types of campsite hookups** are: | The most **common types of campsite hookups** are: | ||
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**15A** power receptacles are the familiar ones found in a residence.((NEMA 5-15, https:// | **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:// |
- | Boondockers and vandwellers will likely set up their shore power to run on the 15A. | + | Because of the backward-compatible 20A socket |
- | The 20A outlet is rated for 2400W.((http:// | ||
- | 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: |
A ' | A ' | ||
15A Extension cords should be 12-14ga for 50' cords and 10-12ga for 100' cords. | 15A Extension cords should be 12-14ga for 50' cords and 10-12ga for 100' cords. | ||
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+ | Mike Sokol of RV electrical fame, says: | ||
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+ | > 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 ===== | ===== 30A shore power ===== | ||
{{ http:// | {{ http:// | ||
- | 30A is the standard setup for small-to-medium RVs.((NEMA TT-30, https:// | + | 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:// | If the 30A circuit on a 30A/50A pedestal is broken or malfunctioning the camper can use [[http:// | ||
The RV can also run off a 15A/20A outlet with an adapter but would have to be careful about loads (heavy loads like a single A/C unit, electric cooktop, or microwave would have to be run one at a time). | The RV can also run off a 15A/20A outlet with an adapter but would have to be careful about loads (heavy loads like a single A/C unit, electric cooktop, or microwave would have to be run one at a time). | ||
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===== 50A shore power ===== | ===== 50A shore power ===== | ||
{{ https:// | {{ https:// | ||
50A to 30A adapters will use one leg of the outlet to feed the RV with 50A. | 50A to 30A adapters will use one leg of the outlet to feed the RV with 50A. | ||
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+ | ===== constant-duty rating ===== | ||
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+ | The constant-duty((continuous load)) rating of each is 0.8 of the normal rating: | ||
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+ | * 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) | ||
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- sand the edges to remove sharp edges | - 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 | - treat edges with paint, primer, rust preventive, etc to prevent rust. The edges will not be visible once the port is installed | ||
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===== power testers ===== | ===== 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." | Before plugging into shore power the RVer may want to test the receptacle for "good ground, open circuits, reversed polarity and safe voltage." |