Folks call them Dogbone adapters, I call them cheater plugs. I can understand RV parks enforcing a proper cord and plug be used at their site pedestal. Owing a 30-amp rig, half the time I find loose, damaged, or otherwise unsuitable 30-amp receptacle. And I concur, using a 50-to-30-amp cheater is a hazard from the pedestal to my 30-amp circuit breaker, despite that a 30-amp receptacle in the pedestal could very well be connected to several hundred amperes of potential current flow, yet protected by its own 30-amp circuit breaker right in the pedestal. The 30-amp receptacle in RV parks is the “Workhorse” of campgrounds. Many 30-amp rigs can trip a breaker easily if using everything at once. And a 50-amp rig using a cheater plug in parks lacking 50-amp receptacles, I think is one reason the 30-amp receptacles I find tend to be so abused, never mind they are only receptacles most rigs can connect to. RV parks usually do not inspect and test the electrical systems of rigs. They have no clue if rigs have been altered or designed safely from the factory. Their best protection is to require a proper plug and cord be used with the site reserved and/or paid for. And their rules may very well protect all the folks in the park, not just an inconvenienced traveler. Never mind what folks think a 30-amp circuit should do, I keep my sustained current draw at 24 amps or lower (two 12-amp appliances) leaving a bit of headroom to toast some bread or warm something in the microwave oven for a few minutes to avoid problems when traveling.
Excellent article. I highly recommend the use of an Electrical Management System (EMS) device as the item into which you connect your RV. If you are using adapters, especially some of the more complicated arrangements, the EMS should be placed after the adapters. and the location into which your shore power cord is connected. There are just too many things that can go wrong with a campground pedestal to risk one's safety and the safety of one's RV, which likely cost tens of thousands (or hundreds of thousands) of dollars. Depending upon the brand, the current capacity and the source, EMS devices can be purchased beginning in the low $200's and, IMHO, a much better investment than a "surge suppressor."
OK, I have a question. I don't mean to sound like a jerk, but this has confused me for a while.
How is it "a code violation" to plug and adapter into the pedestal? Doesn't the NEC jurisdiction end at the receptacle? That is how could they possible enforce such things? I don't need a permit to plug something in so?? I started thinking more about this when supposedly plugging in an autoformer was against code.
I tend to think about this more from a residential perspective realizing commercial and industrial cases might be different, but those would be OSHA or other issues I would think. So in my house I plug in an extension cord, run it along the wall, through a door way into the next room and plug in a space heater. If an AHJ is in the house looking at something else and notices it what can they do? Point out it dangerous, but they can't possible fail me or fine me can they? If they mention it I go OK, I'll remove it while your here and then plug it back in.
Again, not trying to be difficult, or intentionally unsafe, just trying to now the real/actual limits of the code.
I believe you are correct instating that the AHJ does not have jurisdiction pertaining to devices that are plugged into an outlet, with the following exception: You are not allowed to use an extension cord (plugged into an outlet) as a substitute for correctly installed permanent wiring. Specifically, you are not allowed to permanently attach the extension cord to the structure. You are not allowed to route an extension cord through a hole in a wall, ceiling or floor.
Mike, I was at a campground with the 20, 30. And 50 Amp pedestal. I was shocked to see the 30 Amp plug fed from a 50 Amp breaker. My meter said the plug was wired correctly, but did not take a chance and used the 50 to 30 dog bone. You just never know what you are going to see.
Folks call them Dogbone adapters, I call them cheater plugs. I can understand RV parks enforcing a proper cord and plug be used at their site pedestal. Owing a 30-amp rig, half the time I find loose, damaged, or otherwise unsuitable 30-amp receptacle. And I concur, using a 50-to-30-amp cheater is a hazard from the pedestal to my 30-amp circuit breaker, despite that a 30-amp receptacle in the pedestal could very well be connected to several hundred amperes of potential current flow, yet protected by its own 30-amp circuit breaker right in the pedestal. The 30-amp receptacle in RV parks is the “Workhorse” of campgrounds. Many 30-amp rigs can trip a breaker easily if using everything at once. And a 50-amp rig using a cheater plug in parks lacking 50-amp receptacles, I think is one reason the 30-amp receptacles I find tend to be so abused, never mind they are only receptacles most rigs can connect to. RV parks usually do not inspect and test the electrical systems of rigs. They have no clue if rigs have been altered or designed safely from the factory. Their best protection is to require a proper plug and cord be used with the site reserved and/or paid for. And their rules may very well protect all the folks in the park, not just an inconvenienced traveler. Never mind what folks think a 30-amp circuit should do, I keep my sustained current draw at 24 amps or lower (two 12-amp appliances) leaving a bit of headroom to toast some bread or warm something in the microwave oven for a few minutes to avoid problems when traveling.
Excellent article. I highly recommend the use of an Electrical Management System (EMS) device as the item into which you connect your RV. If you are using adapters, especially some of the more complicated arrangements, the EMS should be placed after the adapters. and the location into which your shore power cord is connected. There are just too many things that can go wrong with a campground pedestal to risk one's safety and the safety of one's RV, which likely cost tens of thousands (or hundreds of thousands) of dollars. Depending upon the brand, the current capacity and the source, EMS devices can be purchased beginning in the low $200's and, IMHO, a much better investment than a "surge suppressor."
OK, I have a question. I don't mean to sound like a jerk, but this has confused me for a while.
How is it "a code violation" to plug and adapter into the pedestal? Doesn't the NEC jurisdiction end at the receptacle? That is how could they possible enforce such things? I don't need a permit to plug something in so?? I started thinking more about this when supposedly plugging in an autoformer was against code.
I tend to think about this more from a residential perspective realizing commercial and industrial cases might be different, but those would be OSHA or other issues I would think. So in my house I plug in an extension cord, run it along the wall, through a door way into the next room and plug in a space heater. If an AHJ is in the house looking at something else and notices it what can they do? Point out it dangerous, but they can't possible fail me or fine me can they? If they mention it I go OK, I'll remove it while your here and then plug it back in.
Again, not trying to be difficult, or intentionally unsafe, just trying to now the real/actual limits of the code.
Thanks
I believe you are correct instating that the AHJ does not have jurisdiction pertaining to devices that are plugged into an outlet, with the following exception: You are not allowed to use an extension cord (plugged into an outlet) as a substitute for correctly installed permanent wiring. Specifically, you are not allowed to permanently attach the extension cord to the structure. You are not allowed to route an extension cord through a hole in a wall, ceiling or floor.
Sounds like a Texas thing. Thousand Trails in Conroe, TX will not let you use an adapter
Mike, I was at a campground with the 20, 30. And 50 Amp pedestal. I was shocked to see the 30 Amp plug fed from a 50 Amp breaker. My meter said the plug was wired correctly, but did not take a chance and used the 50 to 30 dog bone. You just never know what you are going to see.