Power pedestal wiring question

ken56 wrote:

Bobbo wrote:

Almost but not quite. The amp designation is the limit of amperage that you can draw from that BREAKER (not receptacle). If the 20 amp breaker is fed off of the 30 amp breaker, the 30 amp breaker will pop if the combination of both outlets together exceeds 30 amps. Wiring that way is within code.

Only a lazy or dishonest electrician or an amateur would wire it that way, within code or not simply because of what you described.

It's fairly common for 50A pedestals to have the 50A breaker be the main breaker for everything in the pedestal, including the 30A and the 20A receptacles. Among other things, this often means that the 30A and 20A breakers can be less expensive versions because they don't need to have the same emergency fault current rating as the 50A main breaker. It's similar to the difference between main breakers in a household panel and branch circuit breakers, even if they happen to have the same amp rating. (The higher rating is dictated by the feeders that are used for the pedestals, and whatever overcurrent protection they have.)

I don't know whether or not it's particularly common for 30A pedestals to use a similar setup. At any rate, there are sometimes valid reasons other than laziness, dishonesty, or being an amateur for such setups, and they are legal and safe.