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techntrek 
Admin Group - pHp 
Joined: 29 Jul 2009 Location: MD Online Status: Offline Posts: 9059 |
 Topic: 50 amp servicePosted: 19 Oct 2013 at 10:27pm |
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Yes, a short in the power cord is one possible issue. If the total load, including the short, is above 30 amps (but below 50) having a 30 amp breaker in the adapter will catch it. Another possible issue is the breaker in the converter has failed (won't trip or trips above 30 amps).
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ToddLat
Groupie 
Joined: 06 Aug 2012 Location: Pittsburgh, PA Online Status: Offline Posts: 54 |
Posted: 21 Oct 2013 at 1:25pm |
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If there is short in the cable between the pod and the shore power, the shore power breaker should trip (regardless if it is a 30 or 50 amp). The 50 amp breaker should require a little more short circuit current to trip than the 30 amp but it should go on a direct short. The magnetic pick up/trip on these breakers is typically 10-20 times the handle rating of the breaker. That is the level of currect required to trip the breakers magnetically. The only thing that you would have to worry about would be an overload when running on the 50 amp circuit. This being said, the 30 amp main breaker in the pod should protect against any overloads that are within the pod as they are downstream of the pod main breaker.
I have had cases where the 30 amp shore power breaker trips for no reason (and I have to hook up to the 50 amp breaker) and others where the pod main 30 amp trips (due to AC fighting with a hair dryer!) and the shore power breaker remained on.
The thermal elements (what protects against an overload condition) in these breakers are made of bimetal or trimetal type materials and are "calibrated" at the factories. These calibrations can vary quite a bit. You may get a breaker with a very "short" calibration or one with a fairly "long" calibration. It is a crap shoot to be honest as to which breaker you may get.
Due to the fact that we have a 30 amp main breaker in the pod's to protect against shorts and overloads in the pod's themselves, I have zero issues connecting to a 50 amp shore power connection knowing that if there is a short in my cable, the shore power breaker will trip.
Todd
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Todd and Beth
2013 RP 176 T 2013 Nissan Pathfinder |
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techntrek
Admin Group - pHp
Joined: 29 Jul 2009 Location: MD Online Status: Offline Posts: 9059 |
Posted: 21 Oct 2013 at 6:50pm |
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I originally made a much longer post with more details but decided to simplify it. One thing I almost mentioned is some shorts (usually arc faults) can produce enough heat to cause a fire but not enough amperage draw to trip a breaker. This is one case where a 30 amp breaker might catch a short where a 50 amp breaker wouldn't. Granted, an actual arc fault breaker would be best in this case.
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ToddLat
Groupie
Joined: 06 Aug 2012 Location: Pittsburgh, PA Online Status: Offline Posts: 54 |
Posted: 22 Oct 2013 at 2:05pm |
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Arc fault breakers function based on voltage to protect against the arcing faults. There are no thermo magnetic breakers in the market that respond to arcing faults other than those specifically designed to do so. Honestly we do not want arc fault breakers in campgrounds due to the inverters that are in are pods. They produce enough noise to cause arc fault breakers to nuisance trip. Non of us would enjoy that very much.
Todd |
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Todd and Beth
2013 RP 176 T 2013 Nissan Pathfinder |
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50 amp service