Choosing between a 50 Amp RV Plug and a 30 Amp RV Plug or have other RV-related questions? This questionnaire is designed for you.

50 Amp RV Electrical System vs 30 AMP RV Electrical System

•  A 50-amp RV system provides 240 volts of electrical power, split into two 120-volt circuits, each with a separate hot wire (L1 and L2). The total amperage available is 50 amps, with 50 amps available on the two hot legs. This allows for 12,000 watts (50 amps x 240 volts) of electrical power.
• A 30-amp RV system provides 120 volts of electrical power with a total amperage of 30 amps available. This results in 3,600 watts (30 amps x 120 volts) of electrical power.
• Note that a 50-amp RV system has more outlets and wiring than a 30-amp one. 50-amp plugs can support multiple electrical devices, including high power-consuming ones (refrigerators, air conditioners, and electric ovens).

Can I Connect My 30 Amp RV to a 50 Amp Service?

Yes, you can hook up a 30-amp RV to a 50-amp power source, but you will need an adapter. These adapters are often called "dogbones" because of their shape. An adapter will connect your 30-amp RV plug to a 50-amp power pedestal at an RV park or campground.

Some campgrounds or RV parks may have limited availability of 30-amp hookups, so this practice is fairly common. What is more, a 50-amp service provides more stable and consistent power compared to a 30-amp service. Even though your RV is limited to 30 amps, connecting to a 50-amp supply can reduce issues related to voltage drop. Finally, choosing to connect a 30 Amp RV to a 50 Amp service might be the case of futureproofing, as you might be thinking of upgrading your RV.

If you choose to connect your 30-amp RV to a 50- Amp service, note that your RV's electrical system is still designed for a maximum of 30 amps, so even though you're connected to a 50-amp source, you should manage your electrical usage according to the 30-amp limit to avoid overloading.

Before connecting, always check the power source's voltage to ensure it's suitable for your RV. Moreover, using a surge protector with your RV is a good idea to protect against unexpected voltage spikes.

Can a 50 Amp RV Run on 30 Amps?

Though it might sound counterintuitive, running a 50-Amp RV on 30 Amps is safe. You can do that if 50-amp hookups are not available or are too expensive for you.

Note that a 30-amp service offers less power than a 50-amp service (approximately 3600 watts versus 12,000 watts). This means you'll have significantly less electricity available to use inside your RV.

Because of the reduced power, you won’t be able to run as many appliances simultaneously as you could on a 50-amp service. High-energy-consuming appliances like air conditioners, microwaves, and electric water heaters may need to be used sparingly and not all simultaneously.

What Size Wire For A 30 Amp RV Outlet?

For a 30-amp RV outlet, it is best to use 10 AWG copper or 8 AWG aluminum wire. Copper is a preferable material.

Is RV 30 Amp 110 or 220?

An RV's 30-amp service is typically 120 volts. RVs with a 30-amp power service are designed to operate on a single-phase, 120-volt AC supply. This is similar to the standard household power in the United States for regular outlets.

However, the plug for a 30-amp RV service is different from a standard household plug. It typically has three prongs – one 120-volt hot wire, a neutral wire, and a ground wire.

Does a 30 Amp RV Outlet Need To Be GFCI?

The latest installment of NEC does not require GFCI protection for 30-Amp and 50-Amp RV plugs. However, many electrical experts will not agree with this stance. Note that 30 and 50-amp outlets for RVs supply power to a sub-panel inside the RV, where each separate branch circuit may need a GFCI, depending on their use.

Can You Run The RV Air Conditioner On 30 Amps?

You can run an RV air conditioner on a 30-amp power source. However, running two RV air conditioners on a 30-amp service is not the best idea due to the high power demands of air conditioning units. In any case, if you wish to run the air conditioner simultaneously with other high-consuming devices, it is best to consider upgrading to a 50-amp RV service.

How To Wire a 30 Amp RV Plug?

Wiring a 30-Amp RV plug is a similar procedure to wiring a 50-amp RV plug, except that you have to select an appropriate cable size (10 AWG copper) and the appropriate plug ( a three-prong plug configuration with one 120-volt hot wire, one neutral wire, and one ground wire). The plug is usually designated as TT-30P, and the receptacle as TT-30R.