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I have POWER

thedoghouse
Explorer
Explorer
I've been camping several years and always had breakers tripping inside camper so couple years back I made a 30 amp drop cord to power all my outside activities. This worked great but 40 feet of drop cord dragging around got old and I also liked doing upgrades so here what I came up with

Added 30AMP socket back of trailer painted to match:







Then I ran conduit back to front :





Installed outlets:






Everything went great and cant wait to use on Labor Day
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21 REPLIES 21

ken_white
Explorer
Explorer
Hornnumb2 wrote:
Bucky1320 wrote:
So is the concern that you could potentially pull greater than 20A through the receptacle? What is providing the power? Is there no breaker on that supply.


The 30amp camp ground pole breaker is what is protecting this circuit. I think that is why everybody is making a fuss, if something shorted the 20amp outlet would melt and catch fire before the 30amp breaker would trip.


X2...
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Paul_D_
Explorer
Explorer
Nice job on the EMT bending!!!!

DougE
Explorer
Explorer
Perhaps the OP can confirm, but all have been assuming (yeah, I know!) that this is a full 30 amp circuit, somewhat confirmed by the later post that the OP is using of 10 gauge wire.
Currently Between RVs

Hornnumb2
Explorer
Explorer
Bucky1320 wrote:
So is the concern that you could potentially pull greater than 20A through the receptacle? What is providing the power? Is there no breaker on that supply.


The 30amp camp ground pole breaker is what is protecting this circuit. I think that is why everybody is making a fuss, if something shorted the 20amp outlet would melt and catch fire before the 30amp breaker would trip.

Bucky1320
Explorer
Explorer
So is the concern that you could potentially pull greater than 20A through the receptacle? What is providing the power? Is there no breaker on that supply.
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DougE
Explorer
Explorer
Yep. Always exceptions for knowledgeable, qualified and certified professionals to avail themselves of. Keep in mind our audience and the need to simplify complex issues to a manageable level.
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kellertx5er
Explorer
Explorer
DougE wrote:
Everything, I repeat, everything, in a circuit is to be capable of carrying more amps than the breaker. That's how it's able to protect the circuit.


NEC Table 210.21(B)(3) states that 20 amp circuits with two or more receptacles may use receptacles rated either 15 or 20 amps. This would appear to be an authoritative contradiction to the above.
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DougE
Explorer
Explorer
Everything, I repeat, everything, in a circuit is to be capable of carrying more amps than the breaker. That's how it's able to protect the circuit. However this is generally for everything permanently installed. Sometimes the circuit is even over-sized to lessen voltage drop. Yes you can have extension cords or lighting cords that are not rated higher than the breaker. Trying to reason yourself out of code compliance is a futile exercise.
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kellertx5er
Explorer
Explorer
beemerphile1 wrote:
Building codes are for the purpose of saving lives and property. Violation of code risks lives and property. It shouldn't be taken lightly.


Just because an installation is not 100% NEC compliant does not mean safety is being totally ignored. The Code is ultra-conservative in many cases.

Example: For a circuit with #14 copper wiring, the maximum breaker size is 15 amps according to NEC 240.4(D)(3). If the wiring happens to be type 'NM', also known as 'Romex', the conductor rating according to NEC Table 310.15(B)(16) is 25 amps. This is because, according to NEC 334.112, the insulation rating for type NM must be rated 90 deg C. Now, suppose you have a receptacle circuit that keeps tripping because you try to put 19 amps of load on the 15 amp breaker. I feel that replacing that breaker with a 20 amp size, knowing that the NEC rating of the conductor is 25 amps, is not particularly dangerous. This assumes that all 18 amps are not served through a single 15 amp receptacle, which is a safe assumption since 20 amp plugs will not fit into 15 amp receptacles.
Keller TX
'19 Chevy 2500HD 6.0L
'09 Outback Sydney 321FRL 5er
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mt1729
Explorer
Explorer
Very good job! I can see no safety concerns at all.
Moose

DougE
Explorer
Explorer
I like that your outlet cover states that the 30 amp receptacle is 120v. Someone could plug in a 240v item and wonder why it wasn't working very well. Workmanship is nice although I might use a few more clips on the conduit since this installation is on a bouncing vehicle.
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beemerphile1
Explorer
Explorer
Building codes are for the purpose of saving lives and property. Violation of code risks lives and property. It shouldn't be taken lightly.

A 30a supply on a 20a device can cause a fire.
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BobandShaz
Explorer
Explorer
kellertx5er wrote:
If this setup is plugged into a 30A circuit, it is a violation of NEC 210.21(B)(3). On the other hand, I have yet to have a Code inspector snoop around my trailer, doubt I ever will.


Saw 2 the other day (NOT) LO L
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kellertx5er
Explorer
Explorer
If this setup is plugged into a 30A circuit, it is a violation of NEC 210.21(B)(3). On the other hand, I have yet to have a Code inspector snoop around my trailer, doubt I ever will.
Keller TX
'19 Chevy 2500HD 6.0L
'09 Outback Sydney 321FRL 5er
SUPPORT TEXAS STATE PARKS