How To Wire A 50 Amp RV Plug: Here Are 5 Quick And Easy Steps

In this article, we will be guiding you on how you can wire your 50 Amp RV plug in just a few simple steps. We will answer some questions like, what are the materials needed? How can you install the 50 Amp plug in a RV during an outdoor activity? This is a very important thing to know since traveling and camping outside is an emerging trend these days.

People usually use their days off from work to travel in places where they usually get in touch with nature and find peace and relaxation throughout those days. There’s no need for you to be a certified electrician to have the capacity to do make your RV plugs work. 

The important thing here is you are very much willing to learn and that you have the patience to try to do it over and over again until you are able to do the job needed to be done. As you finish this electrical work, your RV will be ready for camping out in no time.

What will you need to follow this tutorial?

#. The characteristics of a good adult learner

​Every individual has their own personal way of learning. But there are general characteristics that person should possess in order to be an effective learner. Some of these are:

a.) Curiosity

You should be eager to discover new things, especially those which are way beyond your area of expertise. Curiosity is a big factor in learning because it dictates a person’s interest regarding a certain work or object.

b.) Patience

Electrical chores are a little too technical, especially to those people with zero experience in this field. As a newbie, you need to be patient enough for you to be able to deal with the technicalities in this area.

c.) Inquisitiveness

Good learners never run out of questions. For inquisitive people, there is always a lot to learn. Asking questions will open the doors for erudition and expertise.

#. The materials needed for the job

In order to get the electrical job done, you need to have right and proper materials on-hand. I have provided images below so that you will be able to familiarize yourself with these required materials.

a.) 1 Double Pole 50-amp 120/240-volt Breaker

A 50 Amp service is usual at 120 Volts. In order to get this services running, you need to have a #4 AWG copper wire in order to stay within a serviceable voltage drop, which is 3%. The major requirement in order to feed the circuit is a 50 Amp breaker.

b.) 1 14-50 Receptacle

c.) 2 (HOT), 1 White (Neutral) and 1 Ground Correctly sized wire

Step by step instructions

1. SYSTEM SHUTDOWN

You need to shut off the main breaker in the panel to be able to manipulate the wires inside and in order to reduce the risk of being electrocuted. To shut off the breaker, pull the control lever to the “off” position. Retest some devices to makes sure that the power is down before working on the wires inside.

2. WIRE MANIPULATION

First, you need to pull the wire in order to connect all the wires to the outside receptacle or to the panel. After that, try to locate or install an unused double-pole 50 amp breaker into your main or sub service box. You should carefully take note on the colors of the wires because they will guide you as to which location the wires are placed.

3. COLOR CODING

First, locate the Red wire and try to connect it to one terminal which can be found just on the outlet side of the breaker. After connecting the Red wire, you can now proceed with the Black wire. Do the same process with the former. Connect the Black wire to the other terminal which is also located at the outlet side of the breaker. Then, proceed to connecting the White wire into the neutral bus-bar service. Finally, you can now connect the Green or the bare wire to the grounding block.

4. FINAL CONNECTIONS

Install the half-round receiver, which is found on top. This will be colored as Green. After that, you can now wire the receiver just opposite of the position of the half-round receiver. This terminal screw will be colored White. Finally, connect the Red wire to the Y configuration and to one of the screws of the breaker. In opposite to this, connect the Black wire to the X configuration and to the other screw on the breaker. Remember that the X and Y configurations are interchangeable.

5. TEST IF IT WORKS

Switch the main breaker back on by flipping the lever into “on.” After that, you can also switch on the double-pole breaker that you installed, which serves the new 50 Amp outlet. Use a voltage meter in order to test the outlet before starting out in the RV.

Correctly place the probes on the receivers, one in the hot receiver and the other one on the neutral receiver. The expected reading should be at 120 volts. Interchange the probes with the receiver placement and the same process mentioned above.

The reading that you will get should still be at 120 volts. Finally, try placing the probes on both hot receivers. You should expect the reading to be at 240 volts. If you are able to achieve all these things, most especially the readings on the voltage meter, you can already try it on your RV.

Try using some appliances. If all the switches work smoothly, then you are ready to go out on a camping trip with your RV.

Conclusion

There you go! In just 5 easy steps, you can already try to wire up your RV on your own! But before anything else, I would like to re-emphasize some safety precautionary measures that you should keep in mind when you deal with the technicalities of electrical wiring.

As you start, make sure that you shut down everything. You do not want to be electrocuted, so this is a major priority. Another is that you should have a voltage tester on hand. Then, plan ahead. If you can have a checklist, then that would be better. 

The next thing you need to keep in mind is that it is very substantial to have the right electrical tools and the right materials that you will use for the electrical job. 

Moreover, you should include a junction box. An accessible box should always be used to connect the wires. Then, it is a must for you to replace old wires, if you can, and fix breaker problems if there are any.

Finally, do not overload. Overloaded outlets can create a hazard. As much as possible, we would like to maintain a safe environment. These are the weighty points that we should always keep in mind.

Now let me ask you, did you learn from this quick tutorial? Did you have fun as we quickly got through with the steps on electrical wiring? If yes, you can put your comments below and do not forget to share to others the things that you have learned.