Hi,Why would a 30 amp plug connected to a 15 amp shore power show evidence of heating to the point of showing brown marks? The burns are on the "wide" blade. If I was pushing 30 amps from a 30 amp shore power I could understand some heat stress. It appears to be worse on the female plug.Voltage under the greatest load was 106, and more often was about 112.The plugs in question are:and

Usually that is caused by hot swapping. To prevent it in the future, be sure the breaker for the outlet is off before you plug in.

Don - Everytime I have run into burned contacts like that it was because the pedestal side female plug was worn out... This is a worse case photo from googleWhen you have low AC VOLTAGE then the Air Conditioners draw more current which may eventually burn your contacts...I like to stay within the limits like shown on this AC VOLT METER 'GREEN' scaleI won't use a campground pedestal if it looks like this google photo...Roy Ken

Don - Everytime I have run into burned contacts like that it was because the pedestal side female plug was worn out... This is a worse case photo from googleWhen you have low AC VOLTAGE then the Air Conditioners draw more current which may eventually burn your contacts...I like to stay within the limits like shown on this AC VOLT METER scaleI won't use a campground pedestal if it looks like this google photo... These will just burn up your good 30AMP Plugs...Roy Ken

does the connection get wet? I had my 30 amp trailer cord plugged into a 30 am extension cord and it was just laying on the ground exposed to a tremendous rain storm over night with water standing briefly. The two plugs were almost melted together. It was very hard to separate them when I went to leave. Replaced both plugs and now use a weather proof box for connections. I ordered from Amazon, but Home Depot (and probably other places have them. Depending on exactly where I park at home, I have to use extension cord and have used this box for 2-3 months at a time, with absolutely NO moisture intrusion.

pianotuna wrote:Hi,Why would a 30 amp plug connected to a 15 amp shore power show evidence of heating to the point of showing brown marks? The burns are on the "wide" blade. If I was pushing 30 amps from a 30 amp shore power I could understand some heat stress. It appears to be worse on the female plug.Voltage under the greatest load was 106, and more often was about 112.The plugs in question are:and Are you saying you bought these two items and plugged them into each other and they have burn marks from 15 amps? Was power off when you plugged in?

plug failures | Good Sam Community

23 Replies

RoyB
Explorer II
Nov 22, 2015
Don - Everytime I have run into burned contacts like that it was because the pedestal side female plug was worn out... This is a worse case photo from google

When you have low AC VOLTAGE then the Air Conditioners draw more current which may eventually burn your contacts...

I like to stay within the limits like shown on this AC VOLT METER scale

I won't use a campground pedestal if it looks like this google photo... These will just burn up your good 30AMP Plugs...

Roy Ken
RoyB
Explorer II
Nov 22, 2015
Don - Everytime I have run into burned contacts like that it was because the pedestal side female plug was worn out... This is a worse case photo from google

When you have low AC VOLTAGE then the Air Conditioners draw more current which may eventually burn your contacts...

I like to stay within the limits like shown on this AC VOLT METER 'GREEN' scale

I won't use a campground pedestal if it looks like this google photo...

Roy Ken
donn0128
Explorer II
Nov 22, 2015
Usually that is caused by hot swapping. To prevent it in the future, be sure the breaker for the outlet is off before you plug in.

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plug failures

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