Power pedestal wiring question
When camping in our travel trailer, we usually camp at spots that have a power pedestal that has both 30 amp outlet as well as a 20 amp GFCI protected outlet net to it. If I plug the trailer into the ...
Forum Discussion
DrewE wrote:dedmiston wrote:
If they wanted to limit you to the 30A receptacle, then they wouldn't also provide a 20A receptacle.
Actually, the National Electric Code requires that every site with electricity have the 20A receptacle (even when there is also a 30A and/or 50A receptacle). I assume this is at least partly to cut down on people using 30A to 15/20A or 50A to 15/20A adapters which frequently do not have proper overcurrent protection--and, presumably for that reason, are also frequently not UL listed.
I agree that it is perfectly within one's rights and reasonable use to plug things into both the 30A and the 20A receptacle, unless the campground specifically requests otherwise. Using the amenities that are included with your campground fees is perfectly reasonable--I don't see where it's any different than using the playground or swimming pool or nature walk, even if not everybody who camps makes use of them; it's part of the package deal for getting the site.
I believe they require the 20 amp outlet as a "service outlet" in order to have electricity available to to do work as needed for maintenance and repairs.
Just like you have to have an outside service outlet on a house so workman have electric available to them.
