RV Parks and Campgrounds have a unique power system in which the RV park offers power, connection, and utilities to the individual vehicle. Read this blog to learn all about cables for RV parks and campgrounds.

Understanding the difference: RV Parks vs. Campgrounds

RV parks and campgrounds are designated areas privately operated or operated by the government, where people park their recreational vehicles or set up tents overnight. RV parks and campgrounds primarily designed for travelers staying in outdoorsy tourist sites or national and state parks. Staying on these sites allows people to explore nearby attractions and participate in outdoor activities.

• RV parks are designed for recreational vehicles, including trailers, motorhomes, and vans. Aside from the physical space, RV parks provide the owners of these vehicles with amenities that make their stay there as comfortable as possible. Some available amenities are electrical hookups, water and sewer connections, Wi-Fi, TV connection, laundry facilities, restrooms, showers, and swimming pools or recreational areas.
• Campgrounds are similar amenities to RV parks. The difference is that they are less designated for staying in recreational vehicles than camping in tents and smaller trailers. The amenities offered by campgrounds are often more essential compared to RV parks, but they are also adapted to the fact that people might need basic conveniences as they lack a car. Campgrounds offer restrooms, picnic tables, showers, potable water, and dump stations. They may or may not have electrical hookups, depending on the offering of a particular campground.

How are Cables Used in RV Parks and Campgrounds?

Cables are essential for the operation of RV parks as they provide the owners of the vehicles and campers access to power, utilities, communication, Internet, and television. There are several designated methods of how cables are used in RV parks and campgrounds:

• Electrical hookups: One distinguishing thing about RV parks and most campgrounds is that they provide the owners of RV vehicles and campers with electrical hookups so that they can connect their vehicles and devices to the electrical system of the park to use appliances, lighting, and HVAC systems through a centralized system and not through a power generator. The hookups provided in RV parks and campgrounds may have different electrical plugs, but 30-Amp plugs and 50-Amp plugs are the most common. 30-Amp cords will have a NEMA TT-30P plug, while 50-amp cords will have a NEMA 14-50P plug. Sometimes, an additional 15- or 20-amp power source may also be offered.
• Communication and Internet: As a rule, all RV parks offer WiFi and internet connections to the guests. Internet networks on-site involve the combination of Ethernet and fiber optic cables.
• Cable TV: RV cables involve coaxial cables run from the distribution to each RV site. It is recommended for RV vehicle owners with TV sets to keep several coaxial cables of different lengths in their vehicle to run TV seamlessly in case there are no connections offered at the site.
• Utility Connections: Utility connections offered by RV parks include water and sewer systems. 

Types of Cables Used in RV Parks and Campgrounds

Cables used to supply and transmit power in RV parks and campgrounds are supposed to be resistant to weather, UV, moisture, and corrosion. They should also be suitable for direct burial, as underground connections are a standard for these facilities.

Common cables for RV parks and campgrounds are:

Underground Feeder Cable UF-B Copper Specs and Sizing

• Underground Feeder Cable UF-B Copper: UF cables are used for underground wiring in campgrounds and RV parks. These cables are suitable for direct burial and are moisture and corrosion-resistant. These cables supply power to different parts of the campsite or RV park, including lighting, power pedestals, and all types of electrical infrastructure. 

The cables have ​​THHN/THWN conductors laid parallel with an uninsulated grounded conductor and a PVC jacket. They are used to deliver the power from a main power source to individual campsite power pedestals.

Common sizes of UF-B cables used for RV parks and campgrounds are:

• 6/3 UF-B Cable: 6/3 UF-B cable have 55 Amp ampacity and are suitable for 50 Amp circuits
• 8/3 UF-B Cable: 8/3 UF-B cable 40 Amp ampacity and are suitable for 30 Amp circuits

Triplex and Quadruplex URD Cables Specs and Sizing

•  Triplex and Quadruplex URD Cables: Triplex and quadruplex URD underground residential distribution cables often provide power throughout the park similar to the way UF-B cables are. In this context, the difference is that URD cables have an aluminum conductor and XLPE insulation. In contrast, UF-B copper cables have thermoplastic PVC insulation and a copper conductor. URD cable has to have a direct burial rating to be suitable for these applications. URD cables are used for higher ampacity compared to UF-B cables.

Common sizing of URD cables used in RV parks:

• 2-2-2-4 Dyke - 153 Amp for direct burial, 119 Amp in duct. Good for 100 Amp circuits
• 1/0-1/0-1/0-2 Notre Dame - 198 Amp for direct burial, 150 Amp in duct.
• 2/0-2/0-2/0-1 Syracuse - 225 Amp for direct burial, 170 Amp in duct.
• 4/0-4/0-4/0-2/0 Wake Forest - 290 Amp for direct burial, 225 Amp in duct.