50 to 30 amp question

john&bet wrote:

spud1957 wrote:
I know the topic is 30A plug to 50A cord but please be reminded that if you are connecting your 30A cord into a 50A plug at the post, using a dongle, you DO NOT have 30A fault protection!!! Since you are using a 50A plug, this would mean the plug has 50A breaker. The breaker will not trip until you exceed 50 amps. Since your cord is only rated at 30 amps, you are at risk if you draw more than the 30 amps your cord is rated for.

When your 50A to 30A dongle is new, it has a tag on it stating that you must use a 30A breaker if you are using this dongle.

Pulled my post because of too much miss information from others. Have a good day all.

I guess everyone is an expert (PEng Electrical) on the internet. Perhaps the Canadian Electrical Code is different than the US. You sir have a good day,

This thread should have closed after RoyB gave his proper explanation with his excellent diagrams. Thank you RoyB.

ChopperBill wrote:
Why would anyone go from 50 amp pedistal to a 30 amp cord, unless there is only 50 available and no 30. Which I have never seen, the other way around I see all the time. Unless you are at a home wired situation. Which my buddy did not knowing his welder plug in wasn't the correct thing to do.

Agree. Unfortunately there is a very large and popular park near us that "upgraded" some sites to 50 amp. And that's all at the pedestal; a 50A plug. No 120/15A AND no breaker. They clamped a 50/30 Camco adapter to the post so 30A rvs can hookup. There is a locked panel for the row some where in the bushes. Terrible setup.

Our 50A plug caught fire last time there, probably a result of loose contacts. We tried to find the panel to cut power but were unable because the breakers weren't even labeled. I was able to quickly unplug our cord.

Why would anyone go from 50 amp pedistal to a 30 amp cord, unless there is only 50 available and no 30. Which I have never seen, the other way around I see all the time. Unless you are at a home wired situation. Which my buddy did not knowing his welder plug in wasn't the correct thing to do.

spud1957 wrote:
I know the topic is 30A plug to 50A cord but please be reminded that if you are connecting your 30A cord into a 50A plug at the post, using a dongle, you DO NOT have 30A fault protection!!! Since you are using a 50A plug, this would mean the plug has 50A breaker. The breaker will not trip until you exceed 50 amps. Since your cord is only rated at 30 amps, you are at risk if you draw more than the 30 amps your cord is rated for.

When your 50A to 30A dongle is new, it has a tag on it stating that you must use a 30A breaker if you are using this dongle.

depends on which way the dongle goes. . mine is 30 (male) to 50 (female), so I only getting a max of 30 amps from the pedestal.

I haven't seen one go the other way.. 50 (male) to 30 (female) which would expose the problem u mention. (but a quick google and there they are!)..

True, but that only protects your devices and your converter. Keeps your converter from being over loaded. You do not have 30A protection between the hot side of the converter and the main electrical panel. Don't assume cords, adapters or 50A plugs won't fail.

This is why the dongles have the warning that it requires a 30A breaker!! You wouldn't but a 20A breaker to replace a 15A breaker at home would you? No, because your residential 14/3 wiring is only rated for 15A. You need 12/3 for 20A.

You are plugging in a cord that is rated for 125V/30A into plug rated for 125/250V/50A. Everything works great till the 50A plug or the dongle fails. I seen happen to 2 RVs at the same resort. Ended up both RVs needed new converters and microwaves.

spud1957 wrote:
I know the topic is 30A plug to 50A cord but please be reminded that if you are connecting your 30A cord into a 50A plug at the post, using a dongle, you DO NOT have 30A fault protection!!! Since you are using a 50A plug, this would mean the plug has 50A breaker. The breaker will not trip until you exceed 50 amps. Since your cord is only rated at 30 amps, you are at risk if you draw more than the 30 amps your cord is rated for.

When your 50A to 30A dongle is new, it has a tag on it stating that you must use a 30A breaker if you are using this dongle.

Pulled my post because of too much miss information from others. Have a good day all.

I know the topic is 30A plug to 50A cord but please be reminded that if you are connecting your 30A cord into a 50A plug at the post, using a dongle, you DO NOT have 30A fault protection!!! Since you are using a 50A plug, this would mean the plug has 50A breaker. The breaker will not trip until you exceed 50 amps. Since your cord is only rated at 30 amps, you are at risk if you draw more than the 30 amps your cord is rated for.

When your 50A to 30A dongle is new, it has a tag on it stating that you must use a 30A breaker if you are using this dongle.

Thanks so much for all the helpful info. Thank you RoyB for that very helpful schematic diagram! I knew this forum could clarify things and clear up our confusion!

My rig is 50AMP with a hardwired Progressive HW50C. At home I only have a 30AMP plug. I use a dog bone 50A to 30A and it works fine. No error codes, no problems. I only need to run one A/C and a few lights.