Understanding the Shore Cord
Does my coach have 220 voltage? The answer is, Yes with 50 amp power service. If the coach has a 50 amp power cord, then there is 220 VAC present. The majority of Foretravels built have 220 VAC available, but is never phased together. A few late model coaches do have a 220 VAC clothes drier or an induction cooktop.
Explaining the 50 amp plug is as follows: Four prong
- A 50 amp shore cord has 4 prongs or terminals.
- Has two 50-amp rated 120-volt wires and one neutral wire
- Can supply 12,000 watts of power at one time
- NEMA 14-50R configuration
- Leg 1 to Neutral or Ground will read 120VAC
- Leg 2 to Neutral or Ground will read 120 VAC
- Neutral to Ground will read Zero.
- If you read leg 1 to leg 2 you will read 240VAC on the volt meter.
A 50 amp shore cord will allow the coach to have 2 separate legs of 50 amp service into the coach, allowing the coach to be able to consume 100 amp total with good breakers and no bad connections.
Explaining the 30 amp cord or adaptor is as follows: Three prong
- A 30 amp shore cord only has 3 prongs or terminals.
- Can supply 3600 watts of power at one time
- NEMA TT-30R configuration
- The round connector is Equipment Ground.
- One flat connector is leg 1
- The other flat connector is Neutral
- Leg 1 to Neutral or Ground will read 120 VAC
- Neutral to Ground will read Zero.
A 30 amp shore cord is only 1 leg of 120VAC. There is only 30 amp total. A 50 amp shore cord will allow the coach to operate 2 Roof AC units at same time, where a 30 amp shore cord will only allow the coach to operate one Roof AC unit.