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WETSNAIL's avatar
WETSNAIL
Explorer
Aug 22, 2014

50 Amp connection

I am changing a 30 amp outlet at my home to a 50 amp for shore power to my MH. Is the 50 amp pig tail hooked to 120 or 240. I know the 30 amp was 120.
thanks, Cork
  • I don't always agree with 2oldman but his links and RoyB's drawings both answer the question asked.

    Between reading those links and looking a RoyB's drawings you really get to know how it works.
  • To actually answer your question: The 50 amp is connected to 240V.
  • WETSNAIL wrote:
    I am changing a 30 amp outlet at my home to a 50 amp for shore power to my MH. Is the 50 amp pig tail hooked to 120 or 240. I know the 30 amp was 120.
    thanks, Cork


    ALL RV service is 120 volt. What you have asked is a common mistake novices make. You have 4 pins as someone has posted above.
    1. Ground(just like your 30 amp)
    2. Neutral (just like your 30 amp)
    3. HOT Leg 1 (120 volts just like your 30 amp)
    4. Hot leg 2 (120 volts from the OTHER phase of your MAIN 100 or 200 amp home breaker panel. This you will have to run a new wire for this leg . 4 wires total. You will also see from the previous post the GAUGE that each of the 4 wires MUST be to transmit 50 amp service safely.
    5. This is where novices get confused----120/240 service. It IS 120 on each leg into the RV and no where in the RV do you have 240 volt plugs(they are all 120 volts). BUT, when you measure the line voltage between the 2 HOT legs, you will read 240(double your line voltage). THIS is what confuses novices. This is normal but separated by the Breaker panel. When you measure from Neutral to either HOT leg you will read 120. Doug
  • wa8yxm's avatar
    wa8yxm
    Explorer III
    If the wires are in conduit Big Katuna has the way I would do it.

    If it is Romex.. Well, Depends on the length of the run.

    Another alternative is to live with only 30 amps at home and use a dogbone adapter...

    If you are USING the MH as a Guest room, in the heat of summer, that will not work as you will need both A/C's but if its only for storage and set up/take down,,, Should be OK.
  • A shortcut money saver is just run another #8 and put in a new double pole 30a breaker and wire in the 50a plug. While you can't run run every single item, a hair dryer and make coffee at the same time, you can easily run both ACs and your fridge.
  • WETSNAIL wrote:
    I am changing a 30 amp outlet at my home to a 50 amp for shore power to my MH. Is the 50 amp pig tail hooked to 120 or 240. I know the 30 amp was 120.
    thanks, Cork


    Have you pulled new wire?
    Need 4 wires (2 hots, 1 neutral, 1 ground) #6 ga.

    Can't just change outlet. 30A probably has only #8 ga.
  • RoyB's avatar
    RoyB
    Explorer II
    Here are a couple more comments...

    A neat google images drawing showing the camp ground wiring of a typical 50A and 30A/20A PEDESTAL connection



    Also BEFORE YOUR PLUG IN YOUR 50AMP TRAILER make sure you duplicate this meter reading exercise. If you DO NOT DUPLICATE these readings with a multimeter you may BURN UP several high dollar appliances.



    Roy Ken

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