Can I Plug My 30 amp RV Into a 50 amp Outlet? How to Do It Safely
Yes, you can plug your 30 amp RV into a 50 amp outlet, but it should be done carefully to avoid any electrical mishaps. It requires the use of an adapter, which is specifically designed for this purpose.
- 30 amp plug will feature three prongs consisting of a 120v hot wire
- 50 amp plug will feature four prongs consisting of two 120-volt hot wires
- RV battery’s charge level can help prevent unexpected power loss
This device will convert the power from the 50 amp outlet to a 30 amp connection, ensuring that your RV receives the appropriate amount of electricity.
However, it’s important to remember that even with an adapter, your RV will 
still only receive 30 amps of power and not the full 50 amps that the outlet can supply. Always prioritize safety when dealing with electrical connections to prevent any potential hazards.
You’ve been looking for a trip away in your RV for a few weeks now, you’ve spent hours planning and packing and now your vacation is only a couple of days away. The kids are excited and you’ve been itching to get away from work and unplug from the everyday grind.
Before you go to bed, you quickly check over your RV campground reservation, only to notice that the campground only has 50 amp plugs, and you’re RV is a 30 amp. What are you going to do, are you going to have to change campground or sit out the entire trip without power?
Can I Plug My 30 amp RV Into a 50 amp outlet?
The answer is YES! You can quite safely plug your 30 amp RV cord into a 50 amp pedestal socket by using a 30 amp to 50 amp adaptor. The female end will plug into your RV cord and the male end will plug into the campground 50 amp power outlet. These adapters typically cost under $40 and are available from a range of retailers.
What’s the Difference Between a 30 amp and 50 amp Outlet?
There are a number of differences between a 30 amp and 50 amp Outlet. Physically, the plugs differ:
- A standard 30 amp plug will feature three prongs consisting of a 120v hot wire, and a neutral and ground wire. Typically 30 amps are found on RVs with lower power requirements.
- A standard 50 amp plug will feature four prongs consisting of two 120-volt hot wires, and a neutral and ground wire. This design provides two separate 50 amp 120-volt feeds and is commonly used in RVs with high power requirements.
Which is Better 30 amp vs 50 amp RV?
This basically comes down to the watts available for use. We need to do a little bit of maths to calculate how much wattage will be available to us depending on the power outlet available, and we’ll use Volts and Amperes to do our calculation.
In case you’ve forgotten your high school physics, Voltage can be considered a form of electrical pressure, and Amperes is a measure of the available current flow.
The actual maths is straightforward enough. If we multiply the amps by the voltage, we’ll get the wattage.
- 20 amps x 120 volts = 2,400 watts
- 30 amps x 120 volts = 3,600 watts
- 50 amps * 120 volts = 6,000 watts
However, in a 50 amp shore power outlet, there are actually two 50 amp conductors available, so you’re getting 12,000 watts available to use. It should probably be called a 100 amp plug as that’s the actual amperage that’s actually available to you.
How Much Power Do I Need in My RV?
As we now know how much wattage we have available to us, we need to understand how is getting used by all of our electrical gadgets. If you check the back or underside of any modern appliance, you should find a sticker that tells you the wattage.
It’s then just a question of adding everything up until you get the final figure, this number needs to be at the most 80% less than the rating for the shore outlet (if you’re planning to run everything at the same time). This is because circuit breakers are rated for 80% of the load capacity, if you continuously go over the 80% usage threshold then you have a good chance of tripping the circuit breaker.
So common items and their watt usage:
- Small modern LED TV – 50 watts
- Laptop – 100 watts
- Toaster – 1,500 watts
- LED lights – 5 watts
- Hair Dryer – 1,500 watts
As you can see, using a hair dryer will use nearly half of the available wattage on a 30-amp RV. This is why larger RVs will predominately use a 50 amp feed, and only smaller RVs can use 30 amps. With a 50 amp outlet yo,u can probably run all of your electrics in tandem and still have plenty to spare.
If you’re planning to park your RV at your home, then it’s worthwhile getting a professionally installed 30 amp pedestal fitted. This will allow you to run and test everything within your RV before taking a trip. If you just use your standard home plug with an adaptor, you’re only getting 20 amps, so you might not even be able to test the air con.
Can I Plug a 50 amp RV into a 30 amp Outlet?
As before, you’ll need to use an adapter to do this. There is a big drawback though, you’ll only ever get 3,600 watts to use in your RV. So, going from 12,000 watts down to 3,600 watts is a big hit. You’ll need to think carefully about what electrics you use.
If your 50-amp RV has two air conditioners, then you may only be able to use one at a time. You may also struggle to use your air conditioning at the same time as you use other demanding appliances such as hair dryers or ovens.
Drawing more power from the outlet than it can handle may result in the outlet’s circuit breakers triggering, which can be a bit embarrassing as you may need to get the campground staff to reset this for you.
How do I plug my 30 amp RV into my house?
To plug a 30 amp RV into a house, you’ll need to use a power adapter. This device converts the standard 110-volt household current into the 30 amps needed by most RVs. Start by turning off the circuit breaker, then connect the adapter to your RV’s power cord.
Next, plug the other end of the adapter into an outdoor electrical outlet in your house. Once everything is securely connected, you can switch the circuit breaker back on. Please remember to ensure the home’s electrical system can handle the additional load to avoid any potential issues.
Can I plug my RV into a portable power station?
Yes, you can plug your RV into a portable power station. However, it’s essential 
to ensure that the power station has enough capacity to meet the power requirements of your RV. Portable power stations are beneficial for providing electricity in remote locations, during power outages, or while on the road.
They are designed to be compact, easy to transport, and capable of powering a range of appliances and devices. So, whether you need to run an air conditioner, or a refrigerator, or charge your devices, a portable power station can be an excellent option for your RV.
How do you power an RV while Boondocking?
Boondocking, or dry camping, involves staying in an RV without hookups to external power, water, or sewer resources. So, how do you power an RV while boondocking? There are several options available including solar panels, generators, and installed RV batteries.
Solar panels are a popular choice for their environmentally friendly nature and long-term cost-effectiveness. Generators, while often noisy and requiring fuel, provide a reliable source of power. RV batteries can be charged while driving or with a generator and can store power for later use.
It’s crucial to monitor power usage to ensure you don’t run out during your off-grid adventures.
How do I keep my RV battery charged while camping?
Ensuring your RV battery remains charged while camping is crucial for the operation of many necessary appliances and systems. You can achieve this in several ways. Utilizing solar panels is a clean, renewable method to generate power, particularly beneficial if you’re camping in a sunny location.
Alternatively, you might consider using a generator, which can provide a significant power boost, though it may be noisier and require fuel. You can also drive your RV periodically as the alternator will charge the battery while the engine runs. Regularly monitoring your RV battery’s charge level can help prevent unexpected power loss.
How do you plug an RV in at a campground?
To plug an RV in at a campground, first, locate the electrical hookup panel which 
is often a standalone box on a post. Ensure your RV’s electrical system is off to avoid any surges. Unroll your RV’s electrical cord and plug it into the campsite’s electrical box.
There are typically three types of plug options: 20 amp, 30 amp, and 50 amp. Choose the one that matches your RV’s system. After plugging in, you can switch on your RV’s electrical system.
Always remember safety while handling electricity and ensure to follow the campground’s rules and regulations regarding electrical use.
What is the most common RV electrical hookup?
Larger RVs use 50 AMP outlets, whereas smaller RVs often use 30 AMP outputs. The three prongs on a 30 AMP plug and the four on a 50 AMP plug are the primary distinctions between the two types of connectors. You will never connect your RV to the incorrect power source thanks to this design.
Our Favourite RV Power Adapters
There are a number of adapters available to buy, most of which are well-rated and will do the job nicely. We’ve used both of the following items and never encountered an issue, so consider that a strong endorsement 🙂
As always, if you have any questions or feedback on what you’ve read, then please let us know in the comments below.
Wrapping Up
Yes, it is indeed possible to plug your 30-amp RV into a 50-amp outlet, but it needs to be done safely to avoid any potential damage to your RV’s electrical system. However, it’s not as simple as just plugging it in. To do this safely, you will need a 30-amp to 50-amp adapter. This adapter will not convert the power from 50 amps to 30 amps, but it will allow your 30 amp RV to connect to the 50 amp power source safely.
The 30-amp breaker in your RV is designed to protect the electrical system in your RV, not the power supply. Therefore, even with the adapter, you could potentially overload your system if you try to draw more than 30 amps worth of power from the 50 amp supply. So, while you can plug your 30-amp RV into a 50-amp outlet with an adapter, you should still be cautious about overloading your RV’s electrical system.
Plugging a 30-amp RV into a 50-amp outlet can be safely done using an appropriate adapter. However, care should still be taken not to overload the RV’s electrical system. It is always advisable to consult with a professional electrician or a trusted RV technician if you are unsure or have any concerns about this process.
