Crack Down on 50 Amp Rigs Using 30 Amp Sites
I don't know how long this has been going on but I learned today that some RV parks including the Washington/Pittsbugh KOA I had booked has a policy that if your rig has 50 amp service, you can't use ...
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Actually, a bunch of 50 amp rigs in 30 amp sites will very likely overload the main. The NEC uses a formula to determine the actual load on each circuit. I don't have any 30 amp services, so I am not up to date on those load factors, but I do know the factor for 50 amp services is 7 pedestals per each 200 amp service. Basic math indicates that is 350 amps of potential load on that 200 amp main. However, seldom does a rig draw anywhere near it's maximum, and never do all seven draw the maximum at the same time, the circuit can handle the load. There is the same logic applied to 30 amp circuits.
But, when you put a bunch of 50 amp rigs each with the potential to draw 100 amps ( 50 amps on each leg of the 50 amp service), each with power management systems adding and shedding loads to keep that draw near 30 amps, they may very well overload that main. The circuits are not designed for every connection to be drawing maximum amperage.
A similar example is to add up the amperage of all the breakers in your home panel. The value will far exceed the amperage rating of the panel. That's because you never run all the circuits at maximum draw. It isn't cheaping out or trying to pull the wool over your eyes, it is how circuits are rated and engineered. 50 amp rigs in sites designed for 30 amp rigs renders those engineering calculations meaningless.
But, when you put a bunch of 50 amp rigs each with the potential to draw 100 amps ( 50 amps on each leg of the 50 amp service), each with power management systems adding and shedding loads to keep that draw near 30 amps, they may very well overload that main. The circuits are not designed for every connection to be drawing maximum amperage.
A similar example is to add up the amperage of all the breakers in your home panel. The value will far exceed the amperage rating of the panel. That's because you never run all the circuits at maximum draw. It isn't cheaping out or trying to pull the wool over your eyes, it is how circuits are rated and engineered. 50 amp rigs in sites designed for 30 amp rigs renders those engineering calculations meaningless.
