30 amp to 15/20 amp adapters
I have seen many "dogbone" adapters that will plug into a 30 amp outlet allowing you to plug in any 110 cord or appliance. My concern is the circuit is rated for 30 amps. Unless you have a dead shor...
Forum Discussion
Techno-babble aside, plugging a single appliance into those adapters is virtually without risk. In home applications, 20 amp breakers are intended to protect branch circuits from being overloaded by multiple items on the same branch.
There are two possible ways to have issues. One, the appliance you are using is faulty, but that would almost assuredly lead to a dead fault that would trip the 30 amp breaker. The other, more likely and dangerous scenario is using long and cheap extension cords. Putting 15 six foot Dollar store cords together to make a hundred foot run to a long running, high amperage device like a space heater could result in the cord melting and starting a fire. But if you use a good heavy duty cord and have a bit of common sense those adapters will be fine in every day use.
There are two possible ways to have issues. One, the appliance you are using is faulty, but that would almost assuredly lead to a dead fault that would trip the 30 amp breaker. The other, more likely and dangerous scenario is using long and cheap extension cords. Putting 15 six foot Dollar store cords together to make a hundred foot run to a long running, high amperage device like a space heater could result in the cord melting and starting a fire. But if you use a good heavy duty cord and have a bit of common sense those adapters will be fine in every day use.
