From marine plugs to standard 15 amp plugs, you can find just what you're looking for here at RecPro.com. Not sure about what something is used for? You can call our Customer Care team or ask us a question online! Don't let a broken or damaged electrical system stop you from having the best RV experience possible. If something's up, just stop on by and replace it with a high quality piece of electrical equipment.
30Amp vs 50Amp
So, with all of the RV plugs out there, many of us understand the standard plug that you would find on your residential home outlets and plugs. But what about 30 and 50 amp plugs? Well, the basic difference between them is what they look like. A 30 Amp plug has three prongs, a 120V hot wire, a neutral wire, and a ground wire. These are generally used on RVs that have lower load requirements since you won't receive more than 3,600 watts through it, as this is the max that it can handle. 50 Amp plugs, on the other hand, have four prongs, two 120V hot wires, a neutral wire, and a ground wire. This plug supplies two separate 50 Amp, 120V feeds and is generally used on RVs with larger load requirements, providing a maximum of 12,00 watts. Just keep in mind, though, that if you are using an adapter to take the power capacity from a 30Amp to a 50Amp plug, you'll still be restricted by the lower amp plug, which is a max of 3,600 watts.
With this in mind, can you hook your RV up to the electrical system in your house? After all, many people have taken to RVing around, even when visiting other people such as family members during the holidays. So can you hook it up. In short, yes you can, however, you will be severely limited in what you can use. You might also have to change your RV's electrical system to accept the standard plugs that you would find on a residential home. If you would like to make this shift to using your home's power for your RV, then we recommend contacting your RV manufacturer to find out what needs to be done for your RV model. And for any electrical modifications, contact a certified RV technician or an electrician for assistance.
RV Plug Burn
A common issue that comes up in the RV world is plug burn. This occurs when the plugs melt at the shore power receptacle. Over time, the male prongs that squeeze into the female receptacle start to loosen a bit and the contact between them can worsen, causing voltage to drop. Well we know that when voltage drops, current(Amps) will increase. Voltage drops are commonly the result of poor connectivity, corrosion, or dirtiness. When more current is drawn, more heat is produced, thus burning pins and even melting plastic connectors. Most of the time, the shore power receptacle will be the cause of the melting/burning issue, as you can't always count on something that's exposed to the elements to not be dirty or corroded.
So, when you are at the campground, make sure to check the shore power receptacle for any signs of damage. If you find any or discover that the connection is loose, notify the campground staff immediately. Even if you find nothing wrong with the receptacle and plug in your shore power plug, it's important to watch it to make sure nothing happens while it's plugged in, such as overheating. DO NOT sand or file the contacts, as making them thinner will only make the problem worse. If the contacts have visible corrosion, clean them. Also, don't think that buying a surge protector will protect you from plug burn. While surge protectors have their uses elsewhere, they will not help this issue, as it's not an issue or power surges. If you do come across a melted or burned plug, remove the electrical current from the system by flipping the breaker and remove the plug and anything connected to it.
Electrical Safety
It's important to be safe with electricity, since the problems that arise if something goes wrong are pretty bad. Watch for plugs and sockets that are hot or have scorch marks, fuses that blow often, and flickering lights. These are signs of loose wiring and other electrical problems that need to be addressed right away. Also look out for badly wired plugs with colored wired sticking out of them. These plugs can come loose and debris could get into the plug. Keep the amount of appliances plugged into an outlet as low as you can. Plugging too many in can overload the socket, leading to overheating. Check cables, leads, and electrical cords for damages or fraying and replace them if you see anything. Don't place the cords in a careless place such as outdoors if it's not an all-weather outdoor cord or under a carpet or rug, as this can cause the cord to wear down without anyone knowing it.
Make sure you check your electrical system periodically for these things and if you do find something, replace it immediately. Don't try and give it a quick fix such as taping up an electrical cord. These fixes can lead to further problems down the road.
Electrical fires are a case where electrical systems have failed and you are now faced with the consequences. To prevent electrical fires, make sure you are keeping your electrical system safe as well as keeping items that become hot (lamps, space heaters, and over-wattage light bulbs) away from flammable materials such as paper, cloth, or carpet. If you do find yourself in the position of experiencing an electrical fire, call 911 and inform them that you have an electrical emergency. If you have a fire extinguisher, you can use that to douse the fire. If not, you can use baking soda or a heavy blanket to smother the fire. NEVER throw water on an electrical fire, as this can cause the fire to spread and can create a situation where you or another living being could become electrocuted.
*In an emergency situation, always follow the advice of the emergency care professionals on the other end of the phone.