Electrical hookups in Canada

[freedatlast]

Probably a silly question, but are the plugs the same in Canada as US, or do we need an adapter as we did in England?

[SoundGuy]

magic43 wrote:
They are not exactly the same. The 30 and 50 amp RV receptacles are the same, but be aware of how the 15/20 amp receptacles are wired. The tab is broken on the 15/20 amp receptacles and one separate leg of 120 volts is wired to each side of the tab. That is OK, but it also means that there is 240 volts between the "hot" legs on that 120 volt receptacle.

Whether this is normal wiring on all or just some I do not know, but I could not use a particular adapter that I have. That adapter is not allowed to be sold in Canada.

JaxDad wrote:
Whaaaaat? Where did you get that idea? 240 volt on a 'standard' 120 household-type plug?

NEVER.

Dutch_12078 wrote:
Actually, a split duplex outlet as described can be done to code in both Canada and the US. The advantage is each outlet has the full 15 or 20 amp capacity available, instead of dividing it between them as happens in a more conventional connection. The only requirement is that the breakers for each half must be tied together for a common trip.

It's absurd to bring up the subject of a split 15 amp duplex which would not be found in any campground as a campsite source supply. Here in Canada it's not a matter of whether split duplex can be done but that it's a requirement in certain areas of the home, the kitchen being one, where at least two split duplex receptacles are required, the idea being one can simultaneously power two high draw appliances from the same duplex receptacle, one from one phase, the other from the other phase. However, to suggest this is a common source supply in any campground or that such a wiring scheme would in any way affect any American visiting Canada is ridiculous. :S

[Dutch_12078]

JaxDad wrote:

magic43 wrote:
They are not exactly the same. The 30 and 50 amp RV receptacles are the same, but be aware of how the 15/20 amp receptacles are wired. The tab is broken on the 15/20 amp receptacles and one separate leg of 120 volts is wired to each side of the tab. That is OK, but it also means that there is 240 volts between the "hot" legs on that 120 volt receptacle.

Whether this is normal wiring on all or just some I do not know, but I could not use a particular adapter that I have. That adapter is not allowed to be sold in Canada.

Whaaaaat? Where did you get that idea? 240 volt on a 'standard' 120 household-type plug?

NEVER.

Actually, a split duplex outlet as described can be done to code in both Canada and the US. The advantage is each outlet has the full 15 or 20 amp capacity available, instead of dividing it between them as happens in a more conventional connection. The only requirement is that the breakers for each half must be tied together for a common trip.

[SoundGuy]

magic43 wrote:
They are not exactly the same. The 30 and 50 amp RV receptacles are the same, but be aware of how the 15/20 amp receptacles are wired. The tab is broken on the 15/20 amp receptacles and one separate leg of 120 volts is wired to each side of the tab. That is OK, but it also means that there is 240 volts between the "hot" legs on that 120 volt receptacle.

Whether this is normal wiring on all or just some I do not know, but I could not use a particular adapter that I have. That adapter is not allowed to be sold in Canada.

Good grief, what in the world are you talking about?!! :h 15 amp service for homes (and campgrounds) here in Canada is wired exactly the same as 15 amp service across the US - 125 vac single phase with a hot, neutral, and ground using the same 3-pin NEMA-5 connectors. Here in Ontario where the OP is intending to camp he's unlikely to come across 20 amp service at all, with the common campground configuration being 30 amp and 15 amp service. The only difference between 15 and 20 amp NEMA-5 connectors is the neutral on the 20 amp is turned 90 degrees, the idea being you can only plug a male 20 amp into a female 20 amp receptacle, not a 15 amp, but you can plug a 15 amp male into either a 15 amp or 20 amp female. The weight of each lug is exactly the same whether it's a 15 or 20 amp rated plug or receptacle. While 15 / 20 amp NEMA-6 250 vac service is listed on the NEMA Straight Blade Reference Chart I can't imagine any public campground wired with this service nor have I in 7 decades ever come across such a wiring scheme and to suggest otherwise is ridiculous. :S

[JaxDad]

magic43 wrote:
They are not exactly the same. The 30 and 50 amp RV receptacles are the same, but be aware of how the 15/20 amp receptacles are wired. The tab is broken on the 15/20 amp receptacles and one separate leg of 120 volts is wired to each side of the tab. That is OK, but it also means that there is 240 volts between the "hot" legs on that 120 volt receptacle.

Whether this is normal wiring on all or just some I do not know, but I could not use a particular adapter that I have. That adapter is not allowed to be sold in Canada.

Whaaaaat? Where did you get that idea? 240 volt on a 'standard' 120 household-type plug?

NEVER.

[Greydennyhawk]

In Canada, you can not buy a politician..... You can only rent one.

[bikendan]

and they refer to electric hookups, as "Hydro" hookups.

[Ava]

Canada is not some odd country if you have never been here. We are not big on hand guns, there is French translation on most things you buy, speed limits are in Kilometers, and we don't live in igloos.
The bonus right now is the value of US dollar buys you about $1.25 or more worth of Canadian goods. Happy trails Doug

[magic43]

They are not exactly the same. The 30 and 50 amp RV receptacles are the same, but be aware of how the 15/20 amp receptacles are wired. The tab is broken on the 15/20 amp receptacles and one separate leg of 120 volts is wired to each side of the tab. That is OK, but it also means that there is 240 volts between the "hot" legs on that 120 volt receptacle.

Whether this is normal wiring on all or just some I do not know, but I could not use a particular adapter that I have. That adapter is not allowed to be sold in Canada.

[enblethen]

Make sure you have the standard adapters. Some of the older parks we found did not have the 30 TT receptacle. they only had 50 amp and 15/20 amp.
This was a while ago up in Alberta.

[freedatlast]

Thanks, Artum Snowbird. We figured as much. Hope to see B.C. someday. For now, this Fall will find us closer to home in Wawa, Ontario.

[Artum_Snowbird]

Exactly the same.