Why 30 amp and not 50 amp

Skipg wrote:
Why not build all RV’s with 50 amp service ? With AC, microwaves, electronic water heaters plus numerous other electrical appliances we take with us it seems to make More sense to have 50 amp

Not all of us need all that power because we use our RV to camp, not as a house.
Plus many public campgrounds don't have 50 amp available. you're lucky to get 30 amp in many. i've never been in a public campground that even offered 50 amp.
i'm betting that most RVs that are sold, are 30 amp. And most don't even care for more power.

So 50 amp = 2 legs of 6000 watts each.

Bobbo wrote:

DrewE wrote:

That's half true; 50A service is 50A, 120/240V service, but it's not in any way a 100A circuit: you cannot connect a single 120V, 100A device to it should that odd need come up. It is correct that it provides a nominal 12 kW rather than 3.6 kW for the 120V, 30A service.

Saying it's a 100A service is about like saying that a semi tractor pulling dual trailers is really travelling at 120 mph, because it's pulling two trailers traveling at 60 mph apiece.

But, it is also true that a 50 amp trailer has access to 100 amps of power. You just have to use two circuits to access it. Sometimes, simplifying a subject can get the concept across even though the technical details are wrong.

I think it is both simpler and more correct to use units of power when comparing power, rather than units of current--doubly so when one of the current values must be incorrectly stated for the comparison to work out. "Amps of power" is a nonsensical phrase, if taken at face value. In the context, it is a shorthand form (or a shorthand way of thinking) based on the assumption that the voltage is invariant, when in fact the different voltages are at the heart of the matter. Similarly, saying that a 50A circuit supplies 100A is also something of an absurdity, and is also forced by incorrect assumptions about the voltages. Comparing power using the proper units--watts or kilowatts--avoids all the confusion.

Sometimes it is easier to compare 30 amp at 3,600 watts to 50 amp at 12,000 watts.

DrewE wrote:

SoundGuy wrote:

You do realize that so-called "50 amp service" is in fact 100 amps total - right? :W 30 amp service is delivered on one leg - 120 vac x 30 amps = 3600 watts. 50 amp service is delivered on two legs - 120 vac x 50 amps x 2 = 12,000 watts.

That's half true; 50A service is 50A, 120/240V service, but it's not in any way a 100A circuit: you cannot connect a single 120V, 100A device to it should that odd need come up. It is correct that it provides a nominal 12 kW rather than 3.6 kW for the 120V, 30A service.

Saying it's a 100A service is about like saying that a semi tractor pulling dual trailers is really travelling at 120 mph, because it's pulling two trailers traveling at 60 mph apiece.

But, it is also true that a 50 amp trailer has access to 100 amps of power. You just have to use two circuits to access it. Sometimes, simplifying a subject can get the concept across even though the technical details are wrong.

SoundGuy wrote:

You do realize that so-called "50 amp service" is in fact 100 amps total - right? :W 30 amp service is delivered on one leg - 120 vac x 30 amps = 3600 watts. 50 amp service is delivered on two legs - 120 vac x 50 amps x 2 = 12,000 watts.

That's half true; 50A service is 50A, 120/240V service, but it's not in any way a 100A circuit: you cannot connect a single 120V, 100A device to it should that odd need come up. It is correct that it provides a nominal 12 kW rather than 3.6 kW for the 120V, 30A service.

Saying it's a 100A service is about like saying that a semi tractor pulling dual trailers is really travelling at 120 mph, because it's pulling two trailers traveling at 60 mph apiece.

Skipg wrote:
Why not build all RV’s with 50 amp service ? With AC, microwaves, electronic water heaters plus numerous other electrical appliances we take with us it seems to make More sense to have 50 amp

You do realize that so-called "50 amp service" is in fact 100 amps total - right? :W 30 amp service is delivered on one leg - 120 vac x 30 amps = 3600 watts. 50 amp service is delivered on two legs - 120 vac x 50 amps x 2 = 12,000 watts. BIG difference, so why pay for 50 amp service in the construction of your trailer if you have no need to draw anywhere near that amount of power?

Dtank wrote:

time2roll wrote:
Some popular places have no power. Why even have 30 amp?

Good question!

Why even have the AC wiring??

Rip it out, sell the copper (unless it's aluminum), and be a happy camper doin' it your way !!

:)..:C..:B

Old Army Tent and a Cott.

Why not buy an RV with the 50 amp service you want? If an RV does not meet your requirements then just move on. Personally I am happy with 30 amps and rarely use any shore power.

Skipg wrote:
Why not build all RV’s with 50 amp service ?

Cost, plain and simple !