Great info, the pics alone of Hubble vs Leviton speak volumes.
Would be great to add to your potential upcoming test other common RV 50A connection types like the Smartplug and ring-locking Hubbell connector, esp as used as shore power inputs to a coach, or generator outputs, where you presumably wouldn’t want a male 14-50 plug.
Silly me! Naive me. I have done construction, including lots of wiring, for more than 20 years. Never had a major short, and for sure never a meltdown. I've always been confident that if it's UL Approved, it's good enough for me. And I've always been fascinated by the clever and careful engineering that goes into these connections. If ever there were a good case for standards and regulation, this would be it!
With the mov fee into 50A as standard, I totally appreciate your pointing out that it does mKe a difference what you have plugged into these things; there is a BIG difference between running, say, a 220v air conditioner and plugging in the big arc welder.
When you think about it, UL Approved actually means Approved for what they plugged into the receptacle and tested at that current draw. They are neither wrong, or misleading; it's my fault for not being an electrician and for not reading the fine print, or consulting with an electrician when working with big electrical loads. Those guys don't get hurt, and they don't burn down peoples' houses! And they generally base their equipment decisions not on cost, but on capacity and quality.
I recently replaced my 50 amp outlet in my RV port home. I did a lot of research and concluded that with electricity, don't go cheap. I bought the $68 Hubbell and Yes, it is good. I really have to force the plug into those contacts. 2002 Newmar Mountain Aire DP with 50 amp (100 amp) service.
Hi Mike, I thought this was very interesting and I look forward to learning more about it. However, as a RV technician I have no control over which receptacle is used, but I frequently have to replace 30 amp and 50 amp plugs on shore power cords and it would be very useful to see a similar comparison of different plugs. I typically use the Camco plugs because they are easy to install and source, but if there is a better quality option available I would happily switch. Safety is my top priority.
Great discussion of 50-amp receptacles and their quality. Is there a similar discussion somewhere about 30-amp and 50-amp plugs? I’ve never been a fan of the molded-on plugs because you can’t inspect the wire connections to the plug blades, so I always cut off the molded-on plugs and install plugs that I can tear down and inspect. A quick search on Amazon revealed 2-3 different plug configurations and a lot of rebranding of the same plugs. Does Hubble make heavy duty 30A and 50A plugs? Wouldn’t it be great if SmartPlug made 30A and 50A plugs with the same quality as their other products?
Wow. I wonder what the code police would say about cutting off the molded plugs! IMHO they are built correctly and to last. Mine is 20 years old, has been treated carefully, and works very well. None of the plug issues I have seen have been molded plugs but the replacement ones where the terminal come loose.
Great info, the pics alone of Hubble vs Leviton speak volumes.
Would be great to add to your potential upcoming test other common RV 50A connection types like the Smartplug and ring-locking Hubbell connector, esp as used as shore power inputs to a coach, or generator outputs, where you presumably wouldn’t want a male 14-50 plug.
Mike - Thanks!
Silly me! Naive me. I have done construction, including lots of wiring, for more than 20 years. Never had a major short, and for sure never a meltdown. I've always been confident that if it's UL Approved, it's good enough for me. And I've always been fascinated by the clever and careful engineering that goes into these connections. If ever there were a good case for standards and regulation, this would be it!
With the mov fee into 50A as standard, I totally appreciate your pointing out that it does mKe a difference what you have plugged into these things; there is a BIG difference between running, say, a 220v air conditioner and plugging in the big arc welder.
When you think about it, UL Approved actually means Approved for what they plugged into the receptacle and tested at that current draw. They are neither wrong, or misleading; it's my fault for not being an electrician and for not reading the fine print, or consulting with an electrician when working with big electrical loads. Those guys don't get hurt, and they don't burn down peoples' houses! And they generally base their equipment decisions not on cost, but on capacity and quality.
I recently replaced my 50 amp outlet in my RV port home. I did a lot of research and concluded that with electricity, don't go cheap. I bought the $68 Hubbell and Yes, it is good. I really have to force the plug into those contacts. 2002 Newmar Mountain Aire DP with 50 amp (100 amp) service.
Hi Mike, I thought this was very interesting and I look forward to learning more about it. However, as a RV technician I have no control over which receptacle is used, but I frequently have to replace 30 amp and 50 amp plugs on shore power cords and it would be very useful to see a similar comparison of different plugs. I typically use the Camco plugs because they are easy to install and source, but if there is a better quality option available I would happily switch. Safety is my top priority.
Great discussion of 50-amp receptacles and their quality. Is there a similar discussion somewhere about 30-amp and 50-amp plugs? I’ve never been a fan of the molded-on plugs because you can’t inspect the wire connections to the plug blades, so I always cut off the molded-on plugs and install plugs that I can tear down and inspect. A quick search on Amazon revealed 2-3 different plug configurations and a lot of rebranding of the same plugs. Does Hubble make heavy duty 30A and 50A plugs? Wouldn’t it be great if SmartPlug made 30A and 50A plugs with the same quality as their other products?
Wow. I wonder what the code police would say about cutting off the molded plugs! IMHO they are built correctly and to last. Mine is 20 years old, has been treated carefully, and works very well. None of the plug issues I have seen have been molded plugs but the replacement ones where the terminal come loose.