Electrical Reducer

[Tom Cantrell]

My 2016 Casita has a 30 amp service. Do I need a reducer if I hook up to a 50 amp service?

[Casita Greg]

You can't physically hook it up to 50 Amp service because the plug configurations, (for safety reasons,) as is, have different prong patterns for different Amperage rated outlets and cords.

That said, if you only have access to a 50 Amp outlet, then you can buy an adapter to go from 50 Amp to 30 Amp for your shore power cord to make it usable.

The 50 Amp RV outlets are 240 Volt, whereas the 30 Amp outlets are 120 Volt. What the adapter does is just connects to only one hot leg of the 50 Amp outlet so you are really only using a single 120 Volts "hot" leg of the two that are available in the standard 50 power supply outlet.

https://www.etrailer.com/RV-Wiring/Arcon/AR14367.html

[C&G in FL]

Originally Posted by Tom Cantrell

My 2016 Casita has a 30 amp service. Do I need a reducer if I hook up to a 50 amp service?

If you are asking if you need to "reduce" or alter the electrical current in some way, the answer is no. Once you plug into a 50a to 30a adapter, while the outlet is capable of providing 50 amps, the main breaker in your trailer will only allow 30 amps of current to be used in the trailer.


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[Civilguy]

Tom,

Greg is spot on with the adapter he linked to; 50A male to 30A female. I also carry a 15A male to 30A female adaptor.

I think that covers all the possibilities for RV park and campground connections. (Generators are apparently another issue and can require something different still.)

I haven't actually had to use either yet, but I am prepared.

Incidentally, campgrounds will often advertise a 50A service. However, the panels are actually often wired with three receptacles, 50, 30 and 15 amp.

That's why I haven't had to use any adaptor so far. But, I expect that day will come.

[Jack L]

When you take a 30 amp TT30 plug and use an adaptor to connect to a 50 amp TT50 receptacle you are only getting 25 amps. Each of 2 hot lines to the 50 amp side are 25 amps and you are only using 1 of the 2 lines. The 50 amp circuit has 2 separate 25 amp breakers. If you need more than 25 amps (unlikely) you will need to find a dedicated 30 amp circuit.

[Byron Kinnaman]

After over 60 years in the electronic industry I've never heard of an electrical reducer.

[Timber Wolf]

Originally Posted by Civilguy

I haven't actually had to use either yet, but I am prepared.

Incidentally, campgrounds will often advertise a 50A service. However, the panels are actually often wired with three receptacles, 50, 30 and 15 amp.

That's why I haven't had to use any adaptor so far. But, I expect that day will come.

I have had to because the 30 amp receptacle was burned up and worn out. I could not get a good connection so I used my 15/30 adaptor and life was good.

[Tom Cantrell]

Thank you for all the information and clarification.

[Mikmay]

Originally Posted by Byron Kinnaman

After over 60 years in the electronic industry I've never heard of an electrical reducer.

Reduces your electricity down to a perfect state, toast never burns, coffee comes out at the perfect temp . Lights are never to bright, only problem is the tv plays in slo mo.

[C&G in FL]

Originally Posted by Jack L

When you take a 30 amp TT30 plug and use an adaptor to connect to a 50 amp TT50 receptacle you are only getting 25 amps. Each of 2 hot lines to the 50 amp side are 25 amps and you are only using 1 of the 2 lines. The 50 amp circuit has 2 separate 25 amp breakers. If you need more than 25 amps (unlikely) you will need to find a dedicated 30 amp circuit.

Actually, the 50 amp circuit is 240 volts, and each leg is supplying 120 volts at 50 amps, so a total of 100 amps is available for use in an RV that plugs into a 50 amp service. So when you use a 50 amp to 30 amp adapter, you are getting a 30 amp, 120 volt current.


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[k corbin]

Originally Posted by Mikmay

Reduces your electricity down to a perfect state, toast never burns, coffee comes out at the perfect temp . Lights are never to bright, only problem is the tv plays in slo mo.

[Casita Greg]

Originally Posted by Jack L

When you take a 30 amp TT30 plug and use an adaptor to connect to a 50 amp TT50 receptacle you are only getting 25 amps. Each of 2 hot lines to the 50 amp side are 25 amps and you are only using 1 of the 2 lines. The 50 amp circuit has 2 separate 25 amp breakers. If you need more than 25 amps (unlikely) you will need to find a dedicated 30 amp circuit.

Originally Posted by CPW

Actually, the 50 amp circuit is 240 volts, and each leg is supplying 120 volts at 50 amps, so a total of 100 amps is available for use in an RV that plugs into a 50 amp service. So when you use a 50 amp to 30 amp adapter, you are getting a 30 amp, 120 volt current.


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+1 Thank you. You beat me to it.
If people don't know diddly about electrical stuff, (or anything else for that matter,) they shouldn't be offering up silly incorrect advice about things they obviously know little or nothing about.

[Tom Cantrell]

Originally Posted by Mikmay

Reduces your electricity down to a perfect state, toast never burns, coffee comes out at the perfect temp . Lights are never to bright, only problem is the tv plays in slo mo.

Never too old to experience something new......................

[Jack L]

Originally Posted by Casita Greg

+1 Thank you. You beat me to it.
If people don't know diddly about electrical stuff, (or anything else for that matter,) they shouldn't be offering up silly incorrect advice about things they obviously know little or nothing about.

I will keep that in mind.