30 Amp vs 50 Amp RV Service - Which Do You Need?
The plug on your RV’s power cord determines how much electricity you can draw at a campground. Get this wrong and you’ll trip breakers all weekend — or worse, damage your electrical system.
Quick Comparison
| Feature | 30 Amp | 50 Amp |
|---|---|---|
| Voltage | 120V | 120/240V |
| Max Watts | 3,600W | 12,000W |
| Plug Pins | 3 (TT-30) | 4 (14-50) |
| AC Units | 1 | 2+ |
| Typical RV | Small trailers, pop-ups | Large 5th wheels, Class A |
How 30 Amp Service Works
A 30 amp RV plug (TT-30) has three prongs — hot, neutral and ground. It runs on a single 120V circuit delivering 3,600 watts maximum.
That’s enough for one air conditioner, a fridge, some lights and phone chargers. But turn on the microwave while the AC runs and you’ll pop the breaker.
Power budget on 30 amp:
- Air conditioner: 12-16 amps
- Microwave: 8-10 amps
- Water heater (electric): 10-12 amps
- Fridge: 2-3 amps
- Lights/chargers: 1-2 amps
You can see the problem. AC plus microwave alone hits 20-26 amps. Add the water heater and you’re over 30.
How 50 Amp Service Works
A 50 amp plug (NEMA 14-50) has four prongs — two hots, neutral and ground. It delivers two separate 50-amp, 120V legs that combine at 240V.
This gives you 12,000 watts total. Run two air conditioners, microwave, water heater and everything else without thinking about it.
The RV’s distribution panel splits the two legs across different circuits. Each leg carries its own 50 amps independently.
Identifying Your Setup
Look at your RV’s power cord plug:
- 3 prongs in a triangle pattern = 30 amp
- 4 prongs in a straight line = 50 amp
Check your RV’s breaker panel too. A 30 amp rig has a single main breaker. A 50 amp rig has two main breakers (one per leg).
Using Adapters Safely
50-to-30 adapter (dogbone): Lets you plug a 30 amp RV into a 50 amp pedestal. Completely safe — your RV only draws what it needs from one leg.
30-to-50 adapter: Lets you plug a 50 amp RV into a 30 amp outlet. Works but limits you to 3,600 watts total. Only one AC unit, careful load management required.
Never use cheap adapters. A melted adapter can cause fires. Buy adapters with at least 10-gauge wire and UL listing.
When to Upgrade from 30 to 50
Consider upgrading if you:
- Added a second AC unit
- Run an electric water heater and AC simultaneously
- Use a residential fridge that draws more power
- Camp in Texas summers where AC runs non-stop
The upgrade involves a new power cord, inlet box, distribution panel and potentially new wiring throughout the RV. Budget $500-$1,500 depending on the rig.
Campground Power Tips
Most Texas campgrounds offer both 30 and 50 amp pedestals. But during peak season, you might get stuck with a 30 amp site even with a 50 amp rig.
Carry both adapter types. A 50-to-30 and a 30-to-50 dogbone cover every situation.
Test the pedestal voltage before plugging in. A cheap outlet tester costs $15 and catches miswired or low-voltage pedestals that damage RV electronics.
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