KOA Rules -- 30 amp
I was just reminded of something on another site.....a "problem" we ran into. We were at a KOA campground in Apache Junction, AZ. When they asked if we are 30amp or 50amp, I responded 30amp. Our ...
Forum Discussion
lil_camping_family wrote:
From the electrical stand point, having a 50 amp rig and plugging into a 30 amp you are fine. The chances of you "popping" the breaker is more. Going from 30 amp to a 50amp is more dangerous. You now take the chance of "melting" your units main electrical line because the breaker knows to "pop" once it pulls a continuous 50amps or short circuits.
Sorry, but wrong.
For a 50 amp RV plugging into a 30 amp pedestal, the breaker in the pedestal limits the current to 30 amps. No risk.
For a 30 amp RV plugged into a 50 amp pedestal, the 30 amp panel inside the RV limits the current to 30 amps. Shore power cord is therefore protected.
Adapters are CSA approved, and if they were a danger, they wouldn't be on the market.
The usual problem is that there are a lot more 30 amp RVs out there and the 30 amp recepts. get a LOT more use and worn out. Also, many owners do not turn the pedestal breaker off when plugging in the shore power cord, which causes pitting on the contacts and dirt build-up which then leads to a bad connection and overheating. Add the two together and you can/will get a meltdown.
There should be no issues whatsoever with using adapters providing they are looked after and the plug blades are kept clean. Same for the shore power cord. Banning adapters shows lack of understanding. You could just as easily have a problem with a shore power cord that has a plug in bad shape.
If a 30 amp pedestal recept. looks to be in bad shape, don't use it. If 50 amps is there, use an adapter. Or another option is to use an 18" 30 amp to 30 amp extender so that only the extender would get damaged. I we were forced to use a 30 amp pedestal recept. and not a 50 amp adapter and ended up with damage to the cord, I'd be looking to the CG for compensation.
