Recently purchased a used 50 amp cord to use as extension.Thought I would test it before hooking to rv. With a test light either the ground or the neutral will light the light on either hot side. Is that normal?

Yes, normal because Neutral and ground are connected together back at the main panel.Cheers,Scott

That doesn't seem normal. Is this cord a factory made cord with the ends molded to the cable? Are both ends configured to the same type plug, in other words, can you plug the one end of the extension into the other end? If so, there is something wrong.

Yes, perfectly normal as the neutral & ground are bound together at the main panel. :)

With the extension cord plugged into an outlet, you should have 110v Neutral to Hot 1, 110v Neutral to Hot 2, 110v Ground to Hot 1, 110v Ground to Hot 2, so yes, it should light up as you describe.You will also have 0 volts from Neutral to Ground so the light should NOT light up, and 220v from Hot 1 to Hot 2 which may burn out your light if it wasn't designed for 220v use.

overhill7 wrote:Thought I would test it before hooking to rv. With a test light either the ground or the neutral will light the light on either hot side. If I am reading this right,1. the cord is not connected to the RV or an 50 amp outlet.2. testing continuity, either hot side connects to the ground or neutral.If that is the case, that cord has a dead short. It will immediately trip a circuit breaker, and depending on load, could create a serious, dangerous hazard.

50 amp cord end | Good Sam Community

13 Replies

Bobbo
Explorer III
Jan 03, 2014
I am still wayne_tw wrote:
overhill7 wrote:

Thought I would test it before hooking to rv. With a test light either the ground or the neutral will light the light on either hot side.

If I am reading this right,
1. the cord is not connected to the RV or an 50 amp outlet.
2. testing continuity, either hot side connects to the ground or neutral.

If that is the case, that cord has a dead short. It will immediately trip a circuit breaker, and depending on load, could create a serious, dangerous hazard.

I may be wrong, but the original post said he used a test light. A light won't light up without power, so I took that to mean the cord was plugged in.
camperpaul
Explorer
Jan 03, 2014
Try Home Depot, Lowe's, and Menard's. In the electrical department.
Bill_Satellite
Explorer II
Jan 02, 2014
This what I used to replace mine and it works great. I found it at Camping World but most RV dealers carry these.
Camco replacement plug
overhill7
Explorer
Jan 02, 2014
Not sure but I bet you find on Amazon.
machunt
Explorer
Jan 02, 2014
Not to hyjack a post but i need to replace the male end on my cord any suggestions 50 amp male end
Old-Biscuit
Explorer III
Dec 31, 2013
Now do a continuity test on each wire.
overhill7
Explorer
Dec 31, 2013
Thanks all.I appreciate the fast answers.
RoyB
Explorer II
Dec 31, 2013
This is the normal method for testing a 50-AMP RV connector using an AC multimeter when shore power is applied.

This is typical wiring of a 30A and 50Amp Pedestal

Please exercise caution when testing the two HOT contacts as 240VAC will be present here.

Roy Ken
I_am_still_wayn
Explorer
Dec 31, 2013
overhill7 wrote:

Thought I would test it before hooking to rv. With a test light either the ground or the neutral will light the light on either hot side.

If I am reading this right,
1. the cord is not connected to the RV or an 50 amp outlet.
2. testing continuity, either hot side connects to the ground or neutral.

If that is the case, that cord has a dead short. It will immediately trip a circuit breaker, and depending on load, could create a serious, dangerous hazard.
Bobbo
Explorer III
Dec 31, 2013
With the extension cord plugged into an outlet, you should have 110v Neutral to Hot 1, 110v Neutral to Hot 2, 110v Ground to Hot 1, 110v Ground to Hot 2, so yes, it should light up as you describe.

You will also have 0 volts from Neutral to Ground so the light should NOT light up, and 220v from Hot 1 to Hot 2 which may burn out your light if it wasn't designed for 220v use.