Power Cord/Extension Cord Melted Together

pianotuna wrote:
Hi,

They don't dissipate heat as well as the "dog bone" type.

Naio wrote:
@Roy Ken, if you don't mind me asking, why are the round 30/15 adapters bad?

Why is heat an issue? I assume we are comparing this to running the same items on a 15a circuit, without the adapter?

Or is there an assumption that we will plug in more stuff?

Hi,

They don't dissipate heat as well as the "dog bone" type.

Naio wrote:
@Roy Ken, if you don't mind me asking, why are the round 30/15 adapters bad?

Bad connections or overloaded cords

@Roy Ken, if you don't mind me asking, why are the round 30/15 adapters bad?

I`ll go with loose connections within the plugs. mine did the same thing and I bought a replacement 30A RV end. I cut open the plug that melted and found that the crimp connection was loose. this created high resistance and heat. since I replaced the ends I haven`t had any more issues.

Bad/loose/poor connections equals electrical resistance. Electrical resistance plus electric current equals heat. Get better or higher current rated connections.

If they are out on the ground then moisture could have gotten in the connection and set up higher resitience thus creating extra heat. I have seen it happen without tripping a c/b.

I have two trailers using extension cords here at my home both plugged into separate garage 120VAC circuits.

I make a big effort to always feel the connections and also have the RV 120VAC VOLTMETER plugged into a receptacle in the trailers where I can get a good glance of the 120vAC readings. You can spot problems with the connections pretty easy knowing what the usual 120VAC level is from the garage. This VOLTMETER I use has the SAFE ZONE part of the voltage scale painted in GREEN. If the AC VOLTAGE is outside the green safe zone scale I will not run my TV or high wattage mirowave.

I also use 10 gauge (10-3) HD contractor type 50-foot extension cords. These are very expensive but sometimes you can find some deals. I got both of mine from a garage sale a few years back... I would most definitely not use anything smaller than 12 GAUGE (12-3) extension cords or the small round type RV30A-15A Adapters.

I use the long dogbone type RV30A-15A adapters here (WALMART)

I feel all of the connection out of habit now. They all seem to run cool.

This is something you have to do to stay on top of it for sure...

Roy Ken

Probably just worn connections resulting in heat. You can replace both ends instead of replacing all that wire.

Cut the ends off and replace them which is a lot cheaper than new cords. If you haven't pick up a voltage meter. They melted from either low voltage, or bad connection but my bets on low voltage.