30 amp 120 volt outlet how to#
30 amp 120 volt outlet install#
30 amp 120 volt outlet code#
30 amp 120 volt outlet professional#

** Very important! These numbers are just recommendations and not the National Electrical Code (or NEC ) guidelines. If you need to run your wire for more than 75-100 feet, use a heavier gauge wire.įor wiring a 30-amp circuit it is recommended to use: The longer the wire, the higher the voltage drop. Voltage drop is calculated using the wire’s resistance, distance, amperage, and circular mills. An undersized wire can overheat and potentially start a fire! Voltage drop It is important to always use a wire size that has sufficient current-carrying capacity to handle the load.

My suggestion will be to avoid using multiple appliances (like A/C, microwave, coffee maker, hairdryer) at the same exact time and you will be in a good shape! If you are thinking of using a 10-gauge wire with a distance shorter than 100 feet, it’s doable, just make sure that loads on your 30-amp RV electrical system will be less than 20-amps. Smaller wires create more resistance when being used and in the end, it’s all worth it if you end up with less power consumption. If you are looking to hook up your trailer to a 30-amp, 120V service in your home, then you will need to use at least a 10-gauge wire (or an 8-gauge wire just to be on the safe side). This is very important because improper handling of electric devices can cause serious injury and even death. ** Warning #2! Before starting to work on electric panels, shut down your MAIN breaker, and disconnect the electricity. ** Warning! If you never have done electrical work before, please consult a licensed electrician to make sure it is done correctly. You are taking and using this information at your own risk.

Wiring a 30 amp RV receptacle could be dangerous and in some cases fatal. NOT like this (see below)! This is an “L-shaped neutral” 240-volt OLD dryer receptacle that could fry your RV appliances if you ever try to use it: We will be wiring an outlet that looks like this (a “U-shaped ground” 120-volt RV receptacle): Voltage (Volts) x Current (Amperes) = Power (Watts) These types of outlets are usually marked “Travel Trailer Use Only” and will give you about 3,600 (120 volts x 30 amps = 3,600 watts) watts of power: The type of 30-amp receptacle we will be using is:

30 amp 120 volt outlet install#

This is how you install a 30-amp RV box in your backyard:

30 amp 120 volt outlet professional#

This means if you are not sure about your skills, do get a professional installation. I found a good video for you, but don’t forget that working with electricity is dangerous and only takes one electric arch to hurt you badly. After reading through a lot of manuals, I decided that it’s better to see how it’s done, vs reading tons of text and trying to understand what in a world is written there! Be careful, there are many multimeters out there with fake ratings, so just to be sure, you may want to get one that is UL-listed as well (paid link) Multimeters are generally not expensive, but since you are dealing with electricity here, it is generally recommended that you get it from a reputable company (like Fluke and Klein Tools). The outlet should be mounted in a deep-lid weatherproof box and be at least 24 inches above the ground level:īefore you start doing any electrical work on your outlet, make sure there is NO POWER coming through!Īfter turning off the breaker’s main switch, TEST IT with a multimeter or voltmeter to confirm that you have no electricity. Since the recreation vehicle is usually the outside unit (parked outside), where all types of challenges are possible (anything from bad weather or being bumped into), the outlet needs to be located in the place where the least damage could be done.Ī timber or a stud wall is the best for this purpose. This is very convenient, considering that you only have to plug in one cord in order to use your appliances! Weather considerations When RV is plugged in the 30-amp receptacle, it is considered to be a single appliance that draws a lot of power, so it must be limited by a 30-amp circuit breaker. Get them connected and enjoy a nice BBQ together! You probably also have a few friends or family member-RViers, who would like to visit you as they pass by on their road trip. It could be used while stocking for trips, cleaning, and fixing it, as well as keeping your batteries charged! Installing an RV outlet at home is a great idea if you own a recreational vehicle or a camper. All you will need is a 30 amp RV outlet (NEMA: TT-30R), #10 wire, a weatherproof electrical box, and a new breaker. Wiring a 30 amp RV plug is not complicated and you should be ok as long as you test the outlet before attempting to plug anything in.

FOR MORE INFORMATION, PLEASE READ MY EARNINGS DISCLAIMER. THIS POST CONTAINS AFFILIATE LINKS THAT WILL REWARD ME MONETARILY OR OTHERWISE WHEN YOU USE THEM TO MAKE QUALIFYING PURCHASES.

30 amp 120 volt outlet how to#

How to Install 30 amp RV Outlet (w/ Diagrams in PDF)ĭISCLAIMER: AS AN AMAZON ASSOCIATE I EARN FROM QUALIFYING PURCHASES.