30 amp RV outlet at home

[kbotley]

I recently converted from a dual hot water tank setup in my house to a single tank resulting in an unused 30amp double pole breaker. I would like to use this breaker and the 10ga wire to power a TTL-30 outlet for my RV when it's in the driveway. Since the double pole is 240V through 2 conductors and I only need 120v is it acceptable to terminate the red conductor and just use the black (hot) white (neutral) and bare (ground) on the double pole breaker?

Thanks

[Bumpyroad]

Dutch_12078 wrote:

Bumpyroad wrote:

Bob Landry wrote:
I'm simply stating that is is OK to have one side of DPDT breaker unused or it can be used for the neutral leg.

but the "unused" half of the breaker would be connected internally to the other "hot" side of the box???
bumpy

There is no internal electrical connection between the two legs of the breaker. If one side overloads, both sides will trip, but that's just a mechanical connection. One side not being connected will not effect the breaker operation for the connected side.

I thought I remember that the 240 volt breakers (dual 120s) was that they clipped onto the "buss bars????" separately so they would get 240 volts. thus both breakers would be hooked to a separate/different hot lead. don't see how you could use one for a neutral? in this case.
bumpy

[Dutch_12078]

Bumpyroad wrote:

Bob Landry wrote:
I'm simply stating that is is OK to have one side of DPDT breaker unused or it can be used for the neutral leg.

but the "unused" half of the breaker would be connected internally to the other "hot" side of the box???
bumpy

There is no internal electrical connection between the two legs of the breaker. If one side overloads, both sides will trip, but that's just a mechanical connection. One side not being connected will not effect the breaker operation for the connected side.

[wa8yxm]

How about this.. Put a 50 amp outlet in that box. Feed it with the 30 amp breakers and wire.. Then you use a dogbone to plug in the RV, but if you ever get a bigger RV... Well my 50 amp rig, if you are just a little careful.. gets by just fine on a 30/30 120/240 volt outlet.. You just need to be a little careful is all, and to know what is on each leg,

But that might be the best use of your existing resources and will counter those code talkers in this thread since you will be delivering all 4 wires, properly to an outlet more than heavy enough to take what 30 amp berakers can give 'em.

[Bumpyroad]

Bob Landry wrote:
I'm simply stating that is is OK to have one side of DPDT breaker unused or it can be used for the neutral leg.

but the "unused" half of the breaker would be connected internally to the other "hot" side of the box???
bumpy

[kbotley]

Bob Landry wrote:

kbotley wrote:
I recently converted from a dual hot water tank setup in my house to a single tank resulting in an unused 30amp double pole breaker. I would like to use this breaker and the 10ga wire to power a TTL-30 outlet for my RV when it's in the driveway. Since the double pole is 240V through 2 conductors and I only need 120v is it acceptable to terminate the red conductor and just use the black (hot) white (neutral) and bare (ground) on the double pole breaker?

Thanks

Ground does not go through the breaker, It goes to a separate bus to which all of the safety grounds going into the box are attached. It's OK to use just one side of a DP breaker as an over load on the hot leg will cause both of them to trip. I haven't seen it done in residential, but in marine shore power systems we have both hot and neutral going through a DPDT breaker because neutral is considered to be a current carrying leg and both must be broken. Before an armchair electrician jumps on my last statement, our electrical standards are set and regulated by ABYC and the USCG and do not run in lock step with the NEC. I'm simply stating that is is OK to have one side of DPDT breaker unused or it can be used for the neutral leg.

Thanks Bob, My intention is to use this 30amp DP for something useful instead of removing it completely. Since I will effectively have a weatherproof 30 amp sub panel on the the side of the house I can bring the red conductor back into service on another 120v circuit as my needs change.

[Bob_Landry]

kbotley wrote:
I recently converted from a dual hot water tank setup in my house to a single tank resulting in an unused 30amp double pole breaker. I would like to use this breaker and the 10ga wire to power a TTL-30 outlet for my RV when it's in the driveway. Since the double pole is 240V through 2 conductors and I only need 120v is it acceptable to terminate the red conductor and just use the black (hot) white (neutral) and bare (ground) on the double pole breaker?

Thanks

Ground does not go through the breaker, It goes to a separate bus to which all of the safety grounds going into the box are attached. It's OK to use just one side of a DP breaker as an over load on the hot leg will cause both of them to trip. I haven't seen it done in residential, but in marine shore power systems we have both hot and neutral going through a DPDT breaker because neutral is considered to be a current carrying leg and both must be broken. Before an armchair electrician jumps on my last statement, our electrical standards are set and regulated by ABYC and the USCG and do not run in lock step with the NEC. I'm simply stating that is is OK to have one side of DPDT breaker unused or it can be used for the neutral leg.

[vermilye]

While I agree that changing out the 2 pole breaker for a single pole is the proper solution, an overload on either side of a 2 pole breaker will trip both poles. Code allows a 2 pole breaker (in fact, requires one) for 120V circuits run to split receptacles, i.e. a common neutral & the upper & lower half of the receptacle on the different legs. Sometimes used in kitchens & garages to save wire. Called a "multi wire" circuit.

[Crazy_Ray]

click on and read

[aruba5er]

Where did you get the idea that only one leg of the breaker will trip the current if an overload. That means that that one wire must short or overload and only that one. great, which one will it be. The other one is free to deliver all the current it can up to the point the main (100 amp) trips. I dont think so. $7.49 for a single pole at HD last week. I would just use one or the other phase and not worry about blankers or buying a new breaker. PLEASE check outlet for proper voltage before plugging in camper. TOO many postings on people hooking up to 240 volts by mistake.

[Flyfasteddie]

Bumpyroad wrote:

$5??? when was the last time you bought a breaker 1945?
bumpy

$3.75, circa 2013 :)Home Depot

[D_E_Bishop]

RJsfishin wrote:
Some of the old 240v breakers were 2 single pole pinned together. If the above is true, just un pin it.

X2

[Bumpyroad]

Hank MI wrote:

RJsfishin wrote:

Bumpyroad wrote:
so what people are saying is that with a double pole breaker, both sides must exceed load limit to trip? is that correct?
bumpy

I would have exactly the same question, but when I think of how 240 doesn't use or need a common, its probably true.

Not true in all cases. A straight 240v load, such as a well pump, won't need a common but not all 240v loads are the same. An electric range may use 240v for heating elements and 110v for lichts and controls. That requires a common because it's an unbalanced load.

Because 240v loads are often unbalanced an overload on one leg will trip a double pole breaker. But I would spend the $5 and replace it with a single pole

$5??? when was the last time you bought a breaker 1945?
bumpy

[Hank_MI]

RJsfishin wrote:

Bumpyroad wrote:
so what people are saying is that with a double pole breaker, both sides must exceed load limit to trip? is that correct?
bumpy

I would have exactly the same question, but when I think of how 240 doesn't use or need a common, its probably true.

Not true in all cases. A straight 240v load, such as a well pump, won't need a common but not all 240v loads are the same. An electric range may use 240v for heating elements and 110v for lichts and controls. That requires a common because it's an unbalanced load.

Because 240v loads are often unbalanced an overload on one leg will trip a double pole breaker. But I would spend the $5 and replace it with a single pole

[eHoefler]

Use both poles, and just run 6ga wire to a 50 amp outlet. Then you can use an adaptor to get down to a 30 amp plug. This way you can simply change out the breaker to a 50 amp when you get that bigger camper!

[beemerphile1]

An overload on one side of a double pole breaker will trip it but - the resistance of the second unattached pole can cause the breaker to substantially exceed 30a before breaking.