User Tools

Site Tools


electrical:shore_power

Differences

This shows you the differences between two versions of the page.

Link to this comparison view

Both sides previous revision Previous revision
Next revision
Previous revision
electrical:shore_power [2017/10/11 13:09]
frater_secessus [50A shore power]
electrical:shore_power [2024/02/02 12:20] (current)
frater_secessus [Europe]
Line 1: Line 1:
 +[[lifestyle:words_of_wisdom|Words of Wisdom]]: "...most people think that to have “RV” type shore power you need those special 30/50 amp plugs. I have a 115v plug. The male end of an extension cord (heavy gauge) that I have cable tied to the inside of my receiver hitch so it’s hidden." -- Captain_Dapper((https://www.reddit.com/r/vandwellers/comments/cnt2o0/my_stealth_window_unit_setup/ewhggpj/))
 +
 ====== 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's house  or at an RV park with full hookups (FHU).+ 
 + 
 + 
 +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). 
 + 
 +===== United States ===== 
 + 
 +The US power grid is 120VAC at 60Hz. 
 {{ https://i.ytimg.com/vi/wVYBei5BZmw/maxresdefault.jpg?200}} {{ https://i.ytimg.com/vi/wVYBei5BZmw/maxresdefault.jpg?200}}
 The most **common types of campsite hookups** are: The most **common types of campsite hookups** are:
Line 7: Line 19:
   * 15A/20A only   * 15A/20A only
   * 30A only   * 30A only
-===== 15A/20A shore power =====+==== 15A/20A shore power ====
 {{ http://www.diycontrols.com/images/15amp_20amp.JPG?150|20A vs. 15A sockets}} {{ http://www.diycontrols.com/images/15amp_20amp.JPG?150|20A vs. 15A sockets}}
 **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)). **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 from tripping when the RVer might not have access to reset it.  A 15A breaker might, depending on whether the RV or residential breaker trips earlier+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 'dweller can safely power a 15A RV from a 30A outlet with [[http://amzn.to/2irQhRV|an adapter]].
 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.
-===== 30A shore power =====+ 
 +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}} {{ http://www.generatorsforhomeuse.us/wp-content/uploads/tt-30r.png?200}}
-30A is the standard setup for small-to-medium RVs.((NEMA TT-30, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/NEMA_connector#Nomenclature))  It can supply 3600W,((http://rvservices.koa.com/rvinformation/rvmaintenance/rv-electrical-101.asp)) ypically sufficient to run an air conditioner and other items in the RV.+30A is the standard setup for small-to-medium RVs.((NEMA TT-30, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/NEMA_connector#Nomenclature))  It can supply 3600W,((http://rvservices.koa.com/rvinformation/rvmaintenance/rv-electrical-101.asp)) typically sufficient to run an air conditioner and other items in the RV.  The [[https://amzn.to/3U8HhCQ|NEMA TT-30R plug]] is common. There is also a [[https://amzn.to/3QFlMGM|L5-30R twist-lock]] style.
  
 If the 30A circuit on a 30A/50A pedestal is broken or malfunctioning 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))  Note this may incur a price increase from the park.  If the 30A circuit on a 30A/50A pedestal is broken or malfunctioning 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))  Note this may incur a price increase from the park. 
  
-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 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
-===== 50A shore power ===== +
-{{ https://greentransportation.info/ev-charging/range-confidence/chap8-tech/img/nema-14-50-wiring-diagram.png?200}} 50A systems are most common in large, luxury RVs with two or more A/C units.((NEMA 14-50, http://www.rv-project.com/resources/nemaconn.php))  The 50A RV power pedestal has //two// 50A legs((http://www.myrv.us/electric/Pg/50amp_Service.htm)) ([[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Split-phase_electric_power|split-phase]]) and can deliver 6,000W of power on each leg.((http://www.myrv.us/electric/Pg/50amp_Service.htm))+
  
  
-===== power testers =====+==== 50A shore power ==== 
 +{{ https://greentransportation.info/ev-charging/range-confidence/chap8-tech/img/nema-14-50-wiring-diagram.png?200}} 50A systems are most common in large, luxury RVs with two or more A/C units.((NEMA 14-50, http://www.rv-project.com/resources/nemaconn.php))  The 50A RV power pedestal has //two// 50A 120V legs((http://www.myrv.us/electric/Pg/50amp_Service.htm)) ([[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Split-phase_electric_power|split-phase]]) and can deliver 6,000W of power on each leg.((http://www.myrv.us/electric/Pg/50amp_Service.htm)) 
 + 
 +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://amzn.to/2F8SChD|{{https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/81HoORya9rL._AC_UL436_.jpg?75 }}]] 
 +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://amzn.to/2TCV4WJ|this kind of port]]. 
 + 
 +Vans typically use [[https://amzn.to/2VUwDAI|15A ports]].   [[https://amzn.to/2F8SChD|Some are pre-cabled]] so you can plug the inside cable to a [[https://amzn.to/2F7sZxI|power strip]], [[https://amzn.to/2VWXHPQ|breaker box]], or other distribution device.  A [[electrical:converter|converter/charger]] can then be wired to the distribution point. 
 + 
 +  - use a [[https://amzn.to/2EZka7E|hole saw]] to bore the hole in the van wall to the port's specification 
 +  - 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 
 + 
 + 
 +==== 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."((http://50amppowerpal.com/pages/faq)) Before plugging into shore power the RVer may want to test the receptacle for "good ground, open circuits, reversed polarity and safe voltage."((http://50amppowerpal.com/pages/faq))
 Note that the tester reports conditions at the time of testing;  it might tell you if voltage is too high right now but not protect the RV if the voltage spikes later on. Note that the tester reports conditions at the time of testing;  it might tell you if voltage is too high right now but not protect the RV if the voltage spikes later on.
-===== surge protectors =====+ 
 +==== surge protectors ====
 [[http://amzn.to/2iE3CWR|Dogbone surge protectors]] are inexpensive, but they are generally only good for one surge (or maybe several small ones).   [[http://amzn.to/2iE3CWR|Dogbone surge protectors]] are inexpensive, but they are generally only good for one surge (or maybe several small ones).  
 More [[http://amzn.to/2iwu7Ra|full-featured surge protectors]] will disconnect power to the RV in over/undervolt conditions and will reconnect after a certain period of stability.   More [[http://amzn.to/2iwu7Ra|full-featured surge protectors]] will disconnect power to the RV in over/undervolt conditions and will reconnect after a certain period of stability.  
  
 +
 +===== Europe =====
 +
 +The grid standard on the European continent is 230Vac at 50Hz.
 +
 +RV outlets are reported to be mainly [[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/AC_power_plugs_and_sockets#CEE_7/16_Alternative_II_%22Europlug%22_(Type_C)|type C]], 16A (3,680w).((https://www.reddit.com/r/VanLife/comments/1aftvas/question_renology_2000w_12v_pure_sine_wave/koi39g9/))
 +
 +===== United Kingdom =====
 +
 +The grid standard on the European continent is 230Vac at 50Hz.
 +
 +RVs connect with [[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/AC_power_plugs_and_sockets#BS_1363_(Type_G)|type G]], 13A (2,990w). FIXME
electrical/shore_power.1507741764.txt.gz · Last modified: 2020/10/11 19:48 (external edit)