Forum Discussion

MKirkland's avatar
MKirkland
Explorer
Sep 07, 2016

Simple electrical question

By the way, this isn't about me. A person I know has a 30 amp service at his house which has a standard receptacle for plugging into. Another person brought his trailer over and plugged in his 30 amp cord from his trailer but had to use an adapter. It was hot and the AC was working overtime. They were using other electrical devices in the trailer too. No circuit breakers popped. Were they actually getting 30 amps or did the standard house receptacle and/or adapter cause them to just get lower amperage? By the way, the compressor in the AC went out a couple weeks later, any relevance?
  • ScottG's avatar
    ScottG
    Nomad
    Sep 07, 2016
    It could restrict it a bit to use a common receptacle and result in a voltage drop if he's near the max. He could easily change it out for the correct part. Home Depot has them.
  • enblethen's avatar
    enblethen
    Nomad
    Sep 07, 2016
    They would have got the amperage of the circuit in which they plugged into.
    A standard household circuit would be 15 or 20 amps.
    If they attempted to use an adapter and plug into a dryer or range receptacle it would be different. It could be 240 volt and fry various items.
    What type of receptacle were they plugging into?
    What kind of adapter?
    More apt to have blown or bad capacitor then compressor.
  • 2oldman's avatar
    2oldman
    Explorer II
    Sep 07, 2016
    MKirkland wrote:
    Were they actually getting 30 amps or did the standard house receptacle and/or adapter cause them to just get lower amperage? By the way, the compressor in the AC went out a couple weeks later, any relevance?
    Could be. It's likely it was low voltage, not "low" amperage. Is it known if the plug got hot?
  • ScottG's avatar
    ScottG
    Nomad
    Sep 07, 2016
    enblethen wrote:
    They would have got the amperage of the circuit in which they plugged into.
    A standard household circuit would be 15 or 20 amps.
    If they attempted to use an adapter and plug into a dryer or range receptacle it would be different. It could be 240 volt and fry various items.
    What type of receptacle were they plugging into?
    What kind of adapter?
    More apt to have blown or bad capacitor then compressor.


    The OP wrote that he plugged into "a standard outlet" that is on a 30A circuit. (which is perfectly legal according to code) They ran that way succesfully for a period of time so there's nothing to suggest it's a 240V circuit.
    Since the contacts are smaller on a typical recpt. than a NEMA Travel Trailer outlet, the current would likely be somewhat limited resulting in a possible voltage drop.
  • wra's avatar
    wra
    Explorer
    Sep 07, 2016
    Most likely there was some voltage drop due to the standard receptacles and the adapter used. A standard outlet and adapter are rated for 15 amps. Most likely the voltage drop was due to using an extension cord. The OP did not mention how far the RV was from the outlet, nor what gauge wire was in the cord. If using less than a 10 gauge wire, there would be a great loss of voltage. Was the problem of the air conditioner related? Who knows? The repairman does not know either, but usually tries to put the blame somewhere.
  • time2roll's avatar
    time2roll
    Nomad
    Sep 07, 2016
    Standard outlet is 15 or 20 amps and could also be shared with other outlets in the home. Yes using at the max could have created low voltage but most likely the breaker would have tripped before too long. You did not cause or create the issue with the air conditioner even if the low voltage happened at your place. It is the RV owners' responsibility to verify power and voltage especially when using an adapter. I think the issue was more likely a pre-existing condition even if it came to light at your place.
  • Sam_Spade's avatar
    Sam_Spade
    Explorer
    Sep 07, 2016
    MKirkland wrote:
    By the way, the compressor in the AC went out a couple weeks later, any relevance?


    Impossible to analyze without more information.

    This is why an $8 AC power meter is really handy. An $8 12 VDC one too so you can keep an eye on the actual voltages without dragging out the multi-meter. A multi-meter is a required tool for all RVers.

    Was the cord getting hot ? Pleasantly warm is OK.
    Was the plug or adapter getting hot ?? Warm here is OK too.

    It also would be interesting to know what gauge of wire that "30 amp" circuit was installed with.
  • hohenwald48's avatar
    hohenwald48
    Explorer
    Sep 07, 2016
    MKirkland wrote:
    A person I know has a 30 amp service at his house which has a standard receptacle for plugging into.


    What do you mean by "standard receptacle"? If that means a 30 amp service wired to a "standard" 15/20 receptacle that's one thing (and not proper at all).

    If that means a 30 amp service wired to a "standard" RV type receptacle there would be no need for an adapter unless the RV was outfitted with 50 amp service. More and more are these days.

    I guess you need to clarify if you want a more informed answer. As to the A/C going out. The chance of the power you describe (although we really don't know what it is) causing the A/C to fail 2 weeks down the road is very slim.
  • janechucknicode's avatar
    janechucknicode
    Explorer
    Sep 07, 2016
    Sam Spade wrote:
    MKirkland wrote:
    By the way, the compressor in the AC went out a couple weeks later, any relevance?


    Impossible to analyze without more information.

    This is why an $8 AC power meter is really handy. An $8 12 VDC one too so you can keep an eye on the actual voltages without dragging out the multi-meter. A multi-meter is a required tool for all RVers.

    Was the cord getting hot ? Pleasantly warm is OK.
    Was the plug or adapter getting hot ?? Warm here is OK too.

    It also would be interesting to know what gauge of wire that "30 amp" circuit was installed with.



    Sam hit it here, I have run a lot of tools ,at a distance and learned real quick that USE the heavest wire for the distance, and probably is the cause of the AC motor going out as it cannot handle the low power given . Too bad for the chap , but like the law ignorance is no excuse. Always read the manuals.

    The cord may not have been getting hot, but had they felt the motor they would have jumped off the trailer.
    My 2p.
    Chuck

About Travel Trailer Group

44,029 PostsLatest Activity: Jan 13, 2025