Pulling more than 50 amps ?
Our park electrician says that some of the big rigs with 3 ACs and electric everything can sometimes draw more than 50A from a 50A pedestal. Truth or BS?
Forum Discussion
hypoxia wrote:
On an RV that has zero 240 volt appliances is there a reason to have the tied 50 amp breaker instead of two separate 50 amp breakers?
The National Electric Code requires it.
One of the main reasons is so that the socket is completely de-energized when the breaker is switched off, rather than being left--possibly unexpectedly--partly energized and posing a hazard to someone who may be working on it. That's arguably less of a concern when the breaker(s) are nine inches away and in the same enclosure than, for example, when they're on a different floor of a house for the range receptacle, but the concept remains.
It's also best to cut all the power to the receptacle in the event of a fault where, rather by definition, it's not known what may be wrong and how dangerous it is. If a person mowing grass should happen to absent-mindedly chop up your shore power cord, it would be really good to shut off both legs even if only one happened to short out.
(As to whether it's a 100A service of any sort, I'll just ask this: is a semi truck with dual trailers, traveling at 50 mph, really a 100 mph truck because there are two trailers of 50 mph each?)
