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The 120-volt hookups at campgrounds come in
several strengths, depending on the amount of amperage they can deliver.
Some older, antiquated campgrounds still have the very low 15 and 20-amp
services. But, nowadays, 30-amp and
Neat features for Portable GeneratorsWhat happens when you plug a 30-amp power cord (with an adapter) into a 20-amp outlet? Electrical connections will default to the lowest link. So in this case, you can expect to receive 20-amp service. Conversely, if you are rated for 30-amps and you plug in (with an adapter) to a 50-amp outlet, you'll only get 30-amps of power. When you are plugged into a 120-volt power source, not only are you supporting the heavy-duty electrical appliances, but the 12-volt components are supported as well. A device called a converter, converts the AC power to DC in order to feed the 12-volt devices and eliminate drain on the engine and coach batteries.
When hooked up to electric power, it is wise to monitor the amperage usage as displayed on the control panel inside the RV. For example, if you are connected to 30-amp service, it means you can only use 30 amps at the same time. The control panel shows how many amps are currently being used. If you use several heavy-duty power-hungry appliances at once and exceed the amperage limitations, you are apt to trip a circuit breaker.
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50-amp services are available at the
majority of campgrounds and RV parks. The shape of the outlet indicates the
amperage output. The older 15-amp and 20-amp outlets have just two prongs. A
30-amp outlet has two diagonal prongs at the bottom and a circular ground in
the center above the prongs while a 50-amp outlet has three straight prongs
at the bottom and a circular ground centered above the prongs. Most modern
RVs need 30-amp or 50-amp to support their onboard equipment. Most new RVs
come with a power cord suited to fit a 30-amp outlet; some deluxe RVs have a
50-amp cord. Whatever kind of power cord you have, be sure to get adapters
to fit other amperage outlets and have them on hand in the RV.