50a 120/240 outlet wired as 120v 30a single ph only??

[AWSneer]

Is this possible? This way I don't always have to use a 30a-50a plug converter every time I plug in at home... Is it lazy? No, I don't want extra connections needing to be made and I don't have a 2 pole breaker wired to this outlet.

Has this been done? (attached)

My RV is 120v usable only and I'm just wanting to know if I can jump these "hot" leads as one, 120v lead and it be safe.

Obviously labeling is key, I will label with an obvious "30a 120v only" outlet and since its my house, it won't really matter.

OTHERWISE, which leg of the X or Y does the RV typically use?

I can experiment with this myself. but I'm sure someone has ran into wanting to do this themselves.

Search? I've got no right key words for this in google or this forum, and I'm pretty sure it's just an obvious, yes you dummy, its fine...

Thanks,
Andrew

[FrankG]

This post is not worth any discussion, do it right, to code, or don't do it at all.

[AWSneer]

Originally Posted by FrankG

This post is not worth any discussion, do it right, to code, or don't do it at all.

I don't disagree with you by any means; so the option simply becomes run a 30a rv outlet, add a 30a dogbone and that's the "to code" proper way? My best option?

Just doesn't live well in my head, but hey, I'm not an electrician and I don't make the rules

[Bama Rambler]

Sounds like you already have a 30 amp RV receptacle installed and you just want to change the 30 amp tt receptacle out to a 50 amp receptacle. If that's the case, I'd say go for it.

If you label it as you indicated and it's at your house I wouldn't have a problem doing it. A 50 amp to 30 amp adapter is no different than what you want to do, just on the other side of the receptacle.

Labeling, and if you ever sell, changing the receptacle back to a 30 amp is imperative.

[5picker]

Originally Posted by Bama Rambler

Sounds like you already have a 30 amp RV receptacle installed and you just want to change the 30 amp tt receptacle out to a 50 amp receptacle. If that's the case, I'd say go for it.

If you label it as you indicated and it's at your house I wouldn't have a problem doing it. A 50 amp to 30 amp adapter is no different than what you want to do, just on the other side of the receptacle.

Labeling, and if you ever sell, changing the receptacle back to a 30 amp is imperative.

X2
What you are asking is exactly what a 30a to 50a dogbone does.

Label it appropriately and if you ever decide to sell or move, change the receptacle back to a 30a.

Just bear in mind (as I'm sure you already know) you will not be able to run everything off this 30a fed 50a outlet as you will be limited to 30a.

[Mandog]

The answer is no. If you jump the L1 and L2 (120v feeds) together you will have 240v on your 1 hot wire. L1 and L2 are feed from each bus bar or left and right bus bar in main panel.
The only thing you need to do is feed from L1 or L2. Not right but will work. The 50amp breaker isn’t designed to operate on one leg but will work.

[wmtire]

Originally Posted by Mandog

The answer is no. If you jump the L1 and L2 (120v feeds) together you will have 240v on your 1 hot wire. L1 and L2 are feed from each bus bar or left and right bus bar in main panel.
The only thing you need to do is feed from L1 or L2. Not right but will work. The 50amp breaker isn’t designed to operate on one leg but will work.

The OP seems to talking about jumping the L1 and L2 together at the outlet, and not at the feeder panel. He is only using a single pole circuit breaker so only ONE "feed" is there. There will be no 240 volts capable.




As others have pointed out, it works the same as a 30 amp male to 50 amp female adapter using a jumper for L1-L2....as per these pics below and the OP's in the first post

[AWSneer]

Yep Mandog, only one line lead feeds this circuit so 240v is impossible as I do not have a second lead line inatalled.; Intent is to only supply the second line with the same 120v that's already there and not have to run an additional wire through the attic or run a dog bone when the RV is parked for a month at a time.

So my theory is correct it seems, I'm going to do exactly what the dog bone does except I'm skipping that step all together and wiring as a 30a outlet would be wired (but with a jumper to L2 from L1).

Nothing was ever plugged here so it made sense to just convert to something I'll use; the wire gauge here is 6ga so not worried about that at all either.

[AWSneer]

Originally Posted by Bama Rambler

Sounds like you already have a 30 amp RV receptacle installed and you just want to change the 30 amp tt receptacle out to a 50 amp receptacle. If that's the case, I'd say go for it.

If you label it as you indicated and it's at your house I wouldn't have a problem doing it. A 50 amp to 30 amp adapter is no different than what you want to do, just on the other side of the receptacle.

Labeling, and if you ever sell, changing the receptacle back to a 30 amp is imperative.

Yes. It is important to label as "30a 120v only" and replace with a 30a when all said and done if I moved. Completely agreed.

[Flybob]

Will it work? Yes. Is it legal? Probably no.

[Barry Allen]

Dude, you can purchase a UL approved 30-to-50 dogbone for $20 on Amazon. Why risk losing your insurance coverage on your house for $20???

[old40ford]

I had an adapter cable that would replace the heavier 50 amp cable once. I opened the trailer end for some reason and that was how it was wired from camco.

[AWSneer]

Well it's wired and working, so that answers that haha..

For all the folks saying to just use a dog bone - again, I don't disagree and actually the remedy to the situation is I bought a new 15ft 30a cord instead of keeping this modified 50a outlet permanent. This cord will remain on site permanently so I won't have to take it out after a long trip, just a simple park, plug, done.

All in all it's better to keep house things un-modified for insurance sake. Good points here guys and gals

I appreciate all the comments and opinions on here! It's the beginning of a whole bunch of adventures for me.

[jimmarako]

I believe that it is against code to put a larger (50 A) outlet on a lower (30A) feed. So your putting a 50A outlet on a 30A breaker is not correct. Even with the label or whatever. What your doing is very similar to a 30-50A dogbone. Just make sure you remove it when you sell.

Jim M.

[bubbles]

Originally Posted by jimmarako

I believe that it is against code to put a larger (50 A) outlet on a lower (30A) feed. So your putting a 50A outlet on a 30A breaker is not correct. Even with the label or whatever. What your doing is very similar to a 30-50A dogbone. Just make sure you remove it when you sell.

Jim M.

I don't believe there is any "code" violation against a dedicated circuit having a circuit breaker less than what the dedicated receptacle is designed for. I believe greater than would be an issue.

[dustman_stx]

Originally Posted by bubbles

I don't believe there is any "code" violation against a dedicated circuit having a circuit breaker less than what the dedicated receptacle is designed for. I believe greater than would be an issue.

That’s what I was thinking. The absolute worst case scenario of doing what the OP is would be a tripped breaker. There is nothing about it that is unsafe or hazardous in any way.

[llr]

Originally Posted by bubbles

I don't believe there is any "code" violation against a dedicated circuit having a circuit breaker less than what the dedicated receptacle is designed for. I believe greater than would be an issue.

I agree and see no issue with doing this. I have thought about a similar change but for a different reason. Getting a 30A cord and putting a 50A RV connector on it so I have a much smaller and lighter cord when I don't have or need 50A.

As long as the outlet and wire is protected at or below the ratings it will be safe and probably not a code violation.

[AWSneer]

Originally Posted by llr

I agree and see no issue with doing this. I have thought about a similar change but for a different reason. Getting a 30A cord and putting a 50A RV connector on it so I have a much smaller and lighter cord when I don't have or need 50A.

As long as the outlet and wire is protected at or below the ratings it will be safe and probably not a code violation.

I have a friend who is a codes guy in another county of Florida that is coming to the house to hang out. I'll casually ask him for his recommendation on whether or not its an issue or not. Stay tuned for his answer!

Again though, the need for a 50a plug isn't even part of the scope anymore as I have a 30a plug (cord) that will work for what I need and in turn, the outlet will be switched to a proper 30a plug anyways. 15ft too, not 25ft... lol