Pls explain 30amp vs 50amp wiring and breaker

ivbinconned wrote:
This thread has certainly helped me understand my present project better. Just started a thread above about installing a transfer switch so I can switch from shore power to 2000 gen that I can secure down in front storage compartment.

In looking at connections in transfer switch it is not clear to me what connects where?

All grounds are bonded. Neutral and hot (2 for 50A) are switched, hence inputs for gen and shore and outputs. Wire per the manual.

Portable gens may have other restrictions like floating neutral that need to be considered.

ivbinconned wrote:
This thread has certainly helped me understand my present project better. Just started a thread above about installing a transfer switch so I can switch from shore power to 2000 gen that I can secure down in front storage compartment.

In looking at connections in transfer switch it is not clear to me what connects where?

just be sure that front storage compartment is properly ventilated.
bumpy

This thread has certainly helped me understand my present project better. Just started a thread above about installing a transfer switch so I can switch from shore power to 2000 gen that I can secure down in front storage compartment.

In looking at connections in transfer switch it is not clear to me what connects where?

You are close
50 amp service (Many threads here show how the outlets are wired) 4 wires. L-1 (hot) L-2 (hot) neutral and safety ground 240 volts divided into two 120 volt legs. double ganged breaker

30 amps.. one hot, neutral and safety ground (3 wires) SINGLE 30 amp breaker.

IF you have 30 installed Make sure it is a single breaker and mEASURE teh voltage BEFORE you plug in.

50 amp optional. Wire as you would 50 amp regular but use 30 amp breakers.. Most 50 Amp RV's will work fine this way.

Now. plugging a 50 amp rig into 30 amps. Use a proper adapter and it will feed BOTH legs on the RV. but you can not use everythign at one time..

If you remember the old Green Acers TV show where Oliver had put numbers on all the appliances and you could not plug in more than I think it was 10.. Well numbers and you can not plug in more than 30

Fridge is a 4.. Coffee pot a 7 (most electric kitchen stuff is 7-10) MIcrowave 11 A/C's 14 water heater 12 that kind of thing. if the total is over 30 CLICK and darkness.

Wire sizing depends a lot on the length of the run.

Big difference if it's a 20' run from the main house panel to the pole barn vs 200'.

Search voltage drop. There are tables that will tell you what size cables to use.

A 3 wire romex (3 + ground) may not cost much more than the 2 wire romex. So I ran 10 awg 3 wire to my RV plug on a 30 amp double pole breaker with a 50 amp RV plug. My current RV is 30 amp so I use an adapter to plug in. But if I ever up size the RV I have two 30 amp lines feeding it instead of one. And, that should really be plenty for home storage/usage. 8 awg may not be much more and would provide 40 amps.

50A Service uses 2 50A Circuit Breakers ---1 for each Hot

30A service has only 1 30A circuit breaker for the 1 Hot

30A RV plugged into 50A service can only draw 30A on the one HOT
Draw more then the 30A and the 30A circuit breaker inside RV Main Panel will trip

50A RV plugged into 30A service can draw 30A Total..either on 1 Hot or combination of the 2 Hots. Draw more then 30A and the 30A Service circuit breaker will trip.

luberhill wrote:
Ahh ok so. 59 amp IS a 220 double pole breaker ??
And if you have a 50 amp supply but only a 30 amp MH isn’t that pumping too many amps into the MH ??

Good question but think of it this way; Your RV draws or pulls the current it needs. If it only needs 12A for a space heater then that is all it will draw from the 50 or 30A even though much more is avail.

Ex. your faucet in the house can provide perhaps 5 gallons a minute but you only ask for enough to fill a glass.

luberhill wrote:
Ahh ok so. 59 amp IS a 220 double pole breaker ??
And if you have a 50 amp supply but only a 30 amp MH isn’t that pumping too many amps into the MH ??

Yes.

No. The 30 amp RV only pulls what is needed to the limit of the main breaker in the RV.... 30 amps. Consider what happens when you plug a lamp that takes 1 amp into a 15 amp outlet. (normal operation)

Ahh ok so. 59 amp IS a 220 double pole breaker ??
And if you have a 50 amp supply but only a 30 amp MH isn’t that pumping too many amps into the MH ??