Power cord connections melting
I have been having problems with my connections getting hot and melting the plastic plugs. This mostly happens at my 50 amp to 30 amp pigtail going into the camper. I have replace the power cord con...
Forum Discussion
dougrainer wrote:For continuous loads NEC requires the circuit rating to be 125% of the load. Or the load should be 80% of the circuit rating which is the same thing mathematically. Continuous load is defined as three hours or longer.
I have seen you quote this before. I have 43 years as a RV tech, the FIRST almost 24 years when everything was 30 amp and NO 50 amp RV's. I don't know where you get your mis info. RV electrical systems have their OWN national electrical rating and at no time in my 43 years have I ever hear of the 24 amps for 30 and the 40 amps for 50 amp service. Please post the reference for what you state. RV 30 amp is designed up to 30 amps(3600 watts) of service. 50 amp is for 100 amps(12000 watts). NO DERATING at all. Doug
OK this does not directly apply to any RV. However modern RVs have the ability to pull very close to 30 amps continuously. Some even have an electrical management system to shed or connect appliances to maintain as close to 30 amps as possible when needed.
So when people start to talk about overheated 30 amp components it is sometimes suggested to follow the continuous load rule since the RV is probably drawing very close to the max for an extended period.
Unfortunately many commercial suppliers (such as Hubbell) do not get into the RV connectors and we end up with poorly made or marginal components.
