mod: adding 50 amp outlet to the house

[Himcules]

got the parts from local home depot and lowes:
- 6 gauge 4 wire bundle, 8 feet.
- 50 amp double throw breaker for my eaton cutler/hammer panel on the house
- 50 amp NEMA 14-50R outlet box

got a 50 amp 30 feet extension cord from camping world on sale from their outlet section

debating if i remove the 30 amp NEMA TT-30R i put in last year for my old jayco class c. i won't need to use this ever again and if i needed to ever use the 30 amp cord, i could use the adapter from the 50amp 14-50R to TT-30R dog bone. hmmm...

too hot this afternoon to do it. will add it tomorrow morning

[Twisty]

Cool!
I'd like to do a 30 amp run.
I would need to pull a permit, have a licensed elec. do it and then get an inspection.
Not worth the $$ to me.

[Himcules]

you just need the permit. no lic'ed electrician is needed if you know what you are doing. inspector is only looking for correct breaker, correct wire size, correct wiring. easy as pie to pass the inspection.

[ChooChooMan74]

What I did, I ran 10/3 w gnd. Extra conductor in case I get a 50 amp unit. I will change the breaker to a double and outlet to a 50 amp outlet. But it will only be 30 amp 220. I don't for see needing full 50 amp 220 at the house.

[Himcules]

Originally Posted by ChooChooMan74

What I did, I ran 10/3 w gnd. Extra conductor in case I get a 50 amp unit. I will change the breaker to a double and outlet to a 50 amp outlet. But it will only be 30 amp 220. I don't for see needing full 50 amp 220 at the house.

10 gauge is not sufficient for 50 amp. minimum per code here is 8 gauge.

10 gauge is fine for 30 amp service tho so you are fine. per code here, 30 amp only requires 12 gauge . i ran 10 gauge as well when i did my 30 amp tt-30r outlet.

[ChooChooMan74]

Originally Posted by Himcules

10 gauge is not sufficient for 50 amp. minimum per code here is 8 gauge.

10 gauge is fine for 30 amp service tho so you are fine. per code here, 30 amp only requires 12 gauge . i ran 10 gauge as well when i did my 30 amp tt-30r outlet.

That is what I said. 30 amp. If anyone is using 50 amp 220 at home, then wow. 30 amp breaker, and wire rated at 30 amps.

[Iggy]

I have a motrohome with a 50 amp plug but all I have or need at the house is 30 amp. Why waste the money for a 50 amp ciruit unless you plan on living in it with both AC units running and everything else.
I use a 30 amp to 50 amp convertor plug which slips the 30 amp to the 2 hot wires to the rig. That's all I need to get the refrigerator running and charge the batteries before the trip.
Good information but no need for permits and inspections as long as you know a little about the electric code and electricity. If not yes you need to find a qualified electrian and pay him $150 plus parts.

[fast murray]

Originally Posted by ChooChooMan74

What I did, I ran 10/3 w gnd. Extra conductor in case I get a 50 amp unit. I will change the breaker to a double and outlet to a 50 amp outlet. But it will only be 30 amp 220. I don't for see needing full 50 amp 220 at the house.

I understand that its already in but why not just run 8-3wg instead of 10-3wg and have the correct wire for 50 amps?

[fast murray]

Originally Posted by Himcules

10 gauge is fine for 30 amp service tho so you are fine. per code here, 30 amp only requires 12 gauge .

12 gauge wire is not big enough for a 30 amp circuit. Not sure where your code comes from the NEC has max overcurrent protection for a 12 ga. branch circuit at 20 amps.

[Himcules]

Originally Posted by fast murray

12 gauge wire is not big enough for a 30 amp circuit. Not sure where your code comes from the NEC has max overcurrent protection for a 12 ga. branch circuit at 20 amps.

i questioned that too, but the inspector said it should be 12 gauge before i bought the parts. i installed 10 gauge and he passed it.

the outlet box is located next to the panel. the wire length is literally 16 inches.

since i have extra 6 gauge, i could just replace it while i'm at it... or remove it since i really don't need it... hmmm...

Originally Posted by Iggy

I have a motrohome with a 50 amp plug but all I have or need at the house is 30 amp. Why waste the money for a 50 amp ciruit unless you plan on living in it with both AC units running and everything else.
I use a 30 amp to 50 amp convertor plug which slips the 30 amp to the 2 hot wires to the rig. That's all I need to get the refrigerator running and charge the batteries before the trip.
Good information but no need for permits and inspections as long as you know a little about the electric code and electricity. If not yes you need to find a qualified electrian and pay him $150 plus parts.

it's extremely hot here in the summer so when i'm loading the coach, i run both a/c's. 30 amps is not going to be able to power both a/c's, the charger and the fridge...

[ChooChooMan74]

Originally Posted by fast murray

I understand that its already in but why not just run 8-3wg instead of 10-3wg and have the correct wire for 50 amps?

For me, it was cost for the distance, and the size of the preexisting conduit to the garage. ... And need. 30 amps 120 or 220 in the future is enough for me

[RamblerGuy]

A few weeks ago we visited my dearly beloved's brother. I installed a 30 amp box for his use with his trailer, and for our use during our visit. He had purchased an outdoor 30 amp TT box with the receptacle in it from one of the home improvement stores. It had a very nice sticker inside showing exactly how to wire up ---- a 50 amp receptacle.

[TURBS]

HUH I guess I went overkill with 6 ga. run for my 30 amp .......

[Iggy]

12 awg max circuit breake ris 20 amp
10 awg max circuit breaaker is 30 amp
8 awg max circuit breaker is 40 amp
6 awg max circuit breaker is 50 amp

All cirucit breaker will easily hold 110% to 120% of it load for awhile before tripping.
Also I have a 30 amp circuit I use for my MH at my house and use a 30 to 50 amp convertor plug and I easily can run even both AC units together.
Now If I kicked on the microwave it will trip the 30 amp breaker easily.
Get a 50 amp if you can afford it or just put in a 30amp for setting up beffore a trip.
Good Luck


SPECIAL NOTE:
Also in the NEC you really only use 80% of the circuit breakers capacity so most cases you never ever reach maximum circuit breaker amps unless you have a short of a major overload.

[Golflover]

I just wired my new garage last summer with 10 gauge and 30amp breaker. We just bought the new camper and it runs 50 amp. I'm not going to pull new wire etc. I keep the camper all year at my house and always plugged in to keep the battery ready. We did use the 5th as a bedroom a few times when friends visited in the summer and I used the air no problem. I don't suspect I would have a problem running just the air on the new 5th. I just bought a 50-30 converter cable and should be all set. Anyone with a suggestion feel free to chime in...

Golf

[Iggy]

Originally Posted by Golflover

I just wired my new garage last summer with 10 gauge and 30amp breaker. We just bought the new camper and it runs 50 amp. I'm not going to pull new wire etc. I keep the camper all year at my house and always plugged in to keep the battery ready. We did use the 5th as a bedroom a few times when friends visited in the summer and I used the air no problem. I don't suspect I would have a problem running just the air on the new 5th. I just bought a 50-30 converter cable and should be all set. Anyone with a suggestion feel free to chime in...

Golf

Golf that is the perfect way to go ..

[Golflover]

Originally Posted by Iggy

Golf that is the perfect way to go ..

Thanks Iggy!!!!

[Himcules]

one hour's worth of work and it's done... i ended up removing the old 30 amp TT-30R outlet box (going to give that to a friend and install it at his house for his class c). 6 gauge sure is stiff to work with and feed through conduit... glad it was a short run and it's done! yippee!