50amp to 30 amp dog bone

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   There is a debate on this question, on this forum and elsewhere. 
Here are the facts, so you can make your own decision.

The 50A circuit at the campground has a circuit breaker on the pedestal that will trip at 50 amps. The trailer panel has a circuit breaker on it that will trip at 30 amps which will protect everything downstream of that. In between the dog bone and the breaker in the trailer panel is your cable with a connector on each end, a receptacle on the trailer, and wiring between that receptacle and the circuit breaker in the trailer, all of which is rated to handle 30A but not 50A. 

So, if you get a short in between the dog bone and the trailer circuit breaker that allows more than 30A to flow but less than 50A you can overheat the cable, connectors, receptacle, or wiring which could cause a fire. If the short is more than 50A the circuit breaker on the pedestal will trip. 

Because of this potential risk there is a label next to the trailer receptacle which says not to connect it to a circuit that can provide more than 30A. The plug protector you have protects from some other things but not from this particular risk. And the dog bone manufacturer is not responsible if there is a problem, they meet the requirements they need to meet to sell their product. its up to you how you use it. 

Is such a short circuit (less than 50A but greater than 30A) possible? Yes, I have seen similar shorts on other circuits but not on RV's. Is it common? Not at all, very uncommon on RV's if its happened at all. 

So, there you have it, up to you to decide what you're comfortable with based on your risk tolerance. 

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offgrid Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Senior Member Joined: 23 Jul 2018 Online Status: Offline Posts: 5290	Topic: 50amp to 30 amp dog bone Posted: 30 Jan 2020 at 4:02pm
	There is a debate on this question, on this forum and elsewhere. Here are the facts, so you can make your own decision. The 50A circuit at the campground has a circuit breaker on the pedestal that will trip at 50 amps. The trailer panel has a circuit breaker on it that will trip at 30 amps which will protect everything downstream of that. In between the dog bone and the breaker in the trailer panel is your cable with a connector on each end, a receptacle on the trailer, and wiring between that receptacle and the circuit breaker in the trailer, all of which is rated to handle 30A but not 50A. So, if you get a short in between the dog bone and the trailer circuit breaker that allows more than 30A to flow but less than 50A you can overheat the cable, connectors, receptacle, or wiring which could cause a fire. If the short is more than 50A the circuit breaker on the pedestal will trip. Because of this potential risk there is a label next to the trailer receptacle which says not to connect it to a circuit that can provide more than 30A. The plug protector you have protects from some other things but not from this particular risk. And the dog bone manufacturer is not responsible if there is a problem, they meet the requirements they need to meet to sell their product. its up to you how you use it. Is such a short circuit (less than 50A but greater than 30A) possible? Yes, I have seen similar shorts on other circuits but not on RV's. Is it common? Not at all, very uncommon on RV's if its happened at all. So, there you have it, up to you to decide what you're comfortable with based on your risk tolerance.
	1994 Chinook Concourse 1995 RV6A Experimental Aircraft 2015 Rpod 179 - sold

mcarter Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List podders Helping podders - pHp Joined: 07 Apr 2016 Location: Greenbrier, TN Online Status: Offline Posts: 3419	Posted: 30 Jan 2020 at 3:59pm
	Lot of discussion on this topic. They have been in use for years, I own one and have used it on occasion. Having said that - there is an opportunity for issues - the issue occurs IF there is a fault in the power line that exceeds 30 Amps but is less than the near 50 Amps to kick the 50Amp CB in the power stantion. I have yet to see the issue reported, but it could. That's been the discussion. Personally I will continue to use my dogbone when required. IMHO.
	Mike Carter 2015 178 " I had the right to remain silent, I just didn't have the ability."

Shane Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List podders Helping podders - pHp Joined: 09 Sep 2018 Location: Northern IL. Online Status: Offline Posts: 98	Posted: 30 Jan 2020 at 3:01pm
	I made reservations at a site for this July 4th and all they had was a 50 amp available. I did buy a 50 amp to 30 amp dog bone. My question is are they SAFE to use. I am using a plug protector on my pod. I have yet to use it so this will be my first time using the dog bone.
	ENGINE 55,TRUCK 44,BATALLION 12