How to hook up a 50 amp RV plug?
By
Elaine Knight
In this blog post, we will answer the question: “How to hook up a 50 amp RV plug?” We will discuss the required items to hook up a 50 amp RV plug to an RV outlet. We will also discuss the steps to be followed while hooking up a 50 amp RV plug and we will discuss the advantages of using a surge protector.
How to hook up a 50 amp RV plug?
If you want to hook up a 50 amp RV plug, you will need to keep the different points given below:
- A 50 amp RV plug should have the right wire size and the cable should be made of aluminum with a copper wire. It is worth investing in a 50 amp outlet if you are frequently traveling to a particular place.
- You can also use the outlet at home to power up your RV whenever required. Most RV enthusiasts have a 50 amp RV outlet for easy access.
- Before trying to hook up a 50 amp RV plug, it is recommended to read the RV’s user manual.
- You will need to know a few specifications like the amount of electricity that your RV can handle.
- The easiest way to go ahead is by installing a pedestal hook-up. A pedestal hook-up is also safe and they are the same as the hookups that you can see on most of the campgrounds.
To hook up a 50 amp RV plug, you will require a 50 amp outlet. Installing a hook-up for your RV is the most important part if you want to hook up a 50 amp RV plug. The other option will be to connect a 20 amp adapter to your RV electrical hook-up. However, you are required to have the right tools and you must follow the right procedure to hook up a 50 amp RV plug.
Requirements to hook up a 50 amp RV plug
Before hooking up a 50 amp RV plug, you will need to have the right items and tools. It is also advised to use safety equipment like gloves and glasses to protect. Keep your RV’s user manual handy for reference. If you are not sure about the process, get in touch with a professional to get the job done. The items listed below are required to hook up a 50 amp RV plug.
- Voltage metre
- 50 amp fuse.
- Electrical tool kit.
- 50 amp outlet.
- RV pedestal hook up.
- 50 amp Surge protector.
- Six gauge four-conductor wire and wire connector (UF-rated).
The most important thing is a 50 amp exterior plug. Be sure to put the 50 amp RV outlet where there is access to power. Ensure that you also choose the right location so that you have enough space to connect the RV to the outlet. Most people have a 50 amp RV outlet at home to hook up the 50 amp RV plug.
Steps to hook up a 50 amp RV plug
If you are not comfortable working with electricity, it is recommended that you hire a professional to do the job. If you are familiar with handling electricity and working on related projects, this is a pretty easy process. In order to hook up a 50 amp RV plug, you can use the steps mentioned below.
- Remove the panel cover from the power source.
- Fix the wire connector for the six gauge wire at the bottom of the power source.
- Push the six gauge wire through the hole and the wire connector at the bottom of the electric panel.
- Make sure you have enough of the gauge wire on the inside before tightening the wire connector.
- Remove the black insulated coating on the gauge wire and separate the wires on the inside.
- Remove the screws on the 50 amp outlet box.
- You will need to connect the four wires from the six gauges to the back of the 50 amp outlet box.
- The back of the 50 amp RV plug will have four sections to connect the respective wires.
- You will need to connect the ground wire to the section that has a green wire in the 50 amp RV outlet.
- The next step will be to connect the neutral wire to the section that is marked as white in the 50 amp RV outlet.
- The other two sections on the outlet box will be marked as X and Y. Connect the hot legs from the gauge to the X and Y sections.
- The 50 amp outlet box will have knockouts at the bottom. These knockouts are where you need to push in the UF-rated gauge.
- You might be required to drill a hole at the back of the outlet box to be able to fix it on the wall or the place you plan on mounting the outlet box.
- Connect the four wires to the outlet box. Make sure they are connected correctly as mentioned above.
- Once they are connected, you will need to fold them in and fix the score on the 50 amp outlet box.
- The next step will be to fix the wires to the power source. The ground wire and the neutral wire will go straight to the ground section.
- The two hot legs will need to be connected to the double section.
- Ensure that you tighten the screws in the power source after connecting the ground and neutral.
- Repeat the same steps when connecting the two hot legs to the breaker section.
- Once you are done, fix the panel back on the power source.
Advantages of using a surge protector
Use a surge protector to check if your connections are right. A 50 amp surge protector will help you detect if there are any mistakes. You do not want to cause any damage to your RV, so be sure to use a surge protector. Plug the surge protector into the RV outlet box and check if the green and blue lights turn on. That said, you are done with the installation process.
- Plugin your 50 amp RV plug into the surge protector that is connected to the outlet box. The surge protector will help you to keep your RV safe.
- It also comes with a waterproof cover that can prevent any rain from entering the RV outlet box.
- Once you are done, you should be able to power up your RV at home before heading out on a trip.
- Using a surge protector is going to be the best way to avoid any damage to your RV. A surge protector will prevent damage and help you determine if your connections are right.
- It is also advised to carry a surge protector along with you at campsites. Avoid hooking up your RV to a 50 amp RV plug directly without a surge protector.
- If your RV has a 30 amp RV plug, be sure to get a converter.
- You might come across campsites that only have 50 amp RV plugs. In that case, a convert will help you plug in your 30 amp RV plug.
- It is also advised to have a 50 amp RV plug since you might upgrade in the future. It does not matter if you have a 30 amp RV plug as long as you have a converter to set things right.
This is one way of getting to hook up a 50 amp RV plug to an RV outlet box. Remember that this is not recommended if you are not comfortable working with electricity. It is highly advised to hire a professional or a trained expert to get this task done. If you are trying for the first time, it is advised to have an experienced person beside you.
Conclusion
In this blog post, we have answered the question: “How to hook up a 50 amp RV plug?” We have discussed the required items to hook up a 50 amp RV plug to an RV outlet. We have also discussed the steps to be followed while hooking up a 50 amp RV plug along with the advantages of using a surge protector.
Citations
