How Can You Wire A 30-Amp RV Outlet Safely On Your Own?

You will have air conditioning on-hand, your refrigerator will be running, and all your tools, appliances, or equipment will continue to run smoothly. Below you will learn exactly what needs to be done in order to wire your own 30 amp rv outlet.

What does a 30 Amp Rv Plug look like?

A 30 amp plug is a simple plug. It has three prongs, one for ground, one for hot/live, and the third and last one is the neutral.

What does a 30 amp outlet look like?

A 30 amp outlet is simple. It provides 3 slots for you to insert the 3 prongs on a 30 amp plug.

What is a 30 amp rv service?

In the Rv world, a 30-amp power service is defined as an outlet that offers 120 volts and outputs power through a three-prong male cable and a 30-amp breaker. The 30-amp Recreational Vehicle plug is usually referred to as the RV-30. The electrical cap reveals a U-shaped pin and two flat pins that are angled.

Wiring a 30 amp rv service is straightforward, and can be easily done by following the correct color codes for your connections and by using the proper wire size or sizes.

Things you will need to wire your 30 amp rv service

You just learned what a 30 amp rv service is, now we will go over all the materials that are needed to complete the job.

• 10 gauge wire (Recommended wire size).
• Electrical safety box
• Brand new breaker (Recommended to use a new breaker)
• A cover plate for your outlet (Protect against the elements)
• Staples to protect your 10 gauge wires

What size wire for 30 amp rv service?

To safely wire a 30 amp service, you will need a wire gauge of 10. Be sure to double check the 10 gauge wire before you install it.

How to wire a 30 amp rv service?

With all the materials on-hand, it is now time to install all the new wire you had laying around or the ones you might have purchased between the 30-amp outlet and the breaker. If you have never pulled any type of cable in the past, I suggest pulling the wires slowly in order to avoid any rips. Any rips made while pulling these wires will require a redo.

Follow these steps to wire your 30 amp service

Follow these steps in order to safely wire your 30 amp rv service.

1. Use a box cutter carefully to cut the outer portion of of your cord's jacket cover. Leave a total of one inch to separate the 3 wires. Try your best not to damage any of the insulation that covers each wire.
2. Next, using a wire stripper, remove 1/2 inch of insulation from each of the 3 wires. Twist the strands so that you will have a rope-like thread that is much more stronger than strands that have not been twisted.
3. Try your best not to damage the brass pins when you draw them from their housing. Your main aim is to avoid trimming them.
4. Follow correct wire color codes and be sure to link each cable correctly. The hot wire is black and should be connected to the screw that is brass-colored. The white neutral wire should be placed where the silver-colored screw is. The ground wire is bare green and should be connected to the green-colored screw. If there is no green screw then connect the ground wire to the U-shaped pin.
5. Tighten up the small straps that are located on the cord's cover jacket at the top. Be sure to secure the wires that inside the 30 amp RV plug. Do not forget this step.

Can I Plug My 30-Amp RV Cord into a 50-Amp Power Pedestal?

Yes! You can plug your 30-Amp RV Cord into a 50-Amp Power Pedestal. Some people worry that the extra power that is supplied by a 50-amp outlet will fry their Recreational Vehicle's electrical system. But, that isn't true. You can plug a 30-amp RV cable directly into a 50-amp power outlet, such as a power outlet or pedestal at any campground that offers them. This is accomplished by using the correct 30 amp to 50 amp adapter. Use the female end of the adapter to plug into your Recreational Vehicle cord, and you should plug the male end into the 50 amp rv receptacle.

30 Amp to 50 Amp adapter

Make your rv able to handle 50 amps with this 30 Amp to 50 Amp adapter. It's perfect for the whole house so you can cook and refrigerate while on the road. The handles make unplugging easier, and it is also designed to fit tightly so that your plug will not fall out.

Which cables for a 30 amp circuit breaker?

In my experience, the most common and reliable choice is the NM-B Romex non-metallic sheathed cable, especially for interior applications where all units are located indoors, and additional mechanical protection isn't necessary.

However, it's essential to consider specific circumstances, especially if the circuit is exposed to water or weather elements. In such cases, opting for UF-B cable becomes paramount. I've found UF-B cables to be highly suitable for outdoor installations or situations where the electrical system may come into contact with water or moisture. This is particularly relevant for appliances like water heaters, RV hookups, or window-mounted air conditioning units that may be partly located outside.

In instances where the cable may have an exposed run or is prone to mechanical damage, I've considered using MC metal-clad cables. While MC cables are suitable for damp conditions, it's important to note that they should not be used in areas with direct exposure to moisture. For scenarios like a water heater, where direct exposure to moisture is inevitable, I've always opted for the UF-B cable due to its better suitability.

Can I Plug My 50-Amp RV Cord into a 30-Amp Power Pedestal?

Yes! You can plug your 50-amp rv cord into a 30-amp power pedestal. The same procedures and precautions needs to be taken just like plugging a 30-amp plug into a 50-amp pedestal.

Can you Plug your RV into a 15-Amp Home Electric Outlet?

Yes, you can plug your rv into a 15 amp outlet at your home. The type of charge that will be given to your rv will only be a trickle type charge. A trickle type charge is given to batteries to keep them healthy while they are not being used.

How to wire a 30 Amp Rv Plug?

It is very easy to wire a 30 Amp Rv Plug. All you need to do is follow the correct steps to stay safe. There are three prongs on a 30 amp rv plug, there is a 120 Volt wire, a hot wire, and a ground wire.

• Wire the live/positive/hot wire to the live prong on the plug. This wire is usually red.
• Wire the neutral wire to the neutral prong on the plug. This wire is usually white or grey or black in the US or Blue or black in the UK.
• The ground wire should be wired to the ground prong on the plug. The ground wire is usually green.

Wire size and gauge chart

30 amp rv plug Vs 50 Amp

What size breaker do I need for a 30 amp RV plug?

A 30 amp Recreational Vehicle plug must actually be used with a 30 amp breaker. You could also plug it into a 15 or 20 amp breaker, but you run the risk of damaging your RV if you utilize more than the ranked power the circuit/outlet has been designed for.

Is a 30 amp RV plug 120 or 220?

There are three prongs on a 30 amp plug, there is a neutral wire, a 120 volt hot wire, and a ground wire. and is generally utilized on Recreational vehicles that have low load requirements.

How many watts does it take to run a 30 amp RV?

3600 watts are needed to run a 30 amp rv. To calculate how many watts is needed to run a 30 amp rv, you should use the formula of 30 amp X 120 Volts = 3600 watts.

Some uses of wires and the gauges needed

Want to know the wire sizes of other amperages? Visit some of our other pages below.

• 15 amp wire size?
• What size wire for 20 amps?
• Wire size for 50 amps?
• Wire size for 60 amps?
• 100 amp wire size
• Wire size for 200 amps?
• Wire size for 400 amp service?

Conclusion

Knowing How To Wire A 30-Amp RV Outlet On Your Own is a great skill when you own an rv. Be sure to check with a professional to go over your work to ensure that everything is as it should be. It is always better to be safe than sorry.