[UAHaerospace]

...just to complete this '50amp RV service' electrical discussion:

50amp RV electrical service is 240v service, just like at your home
...it includes:
- a Double-Pole 50amp Main Breaker set(two 50amp breakers with a shared trip handle)
- TWO hot wires(Black, Red), and Neutral wire(White), and a Ground(green or bare)
- a 4-pronged OUTLET


While many may misinterpret 50amp RV service as simply 'only 20amps more than 30amp service', the two types of service are actually much different...

While 30amp RV service is a different 3-pronged plug, and is only 120v power, the
50amp RV service is 240v service at the Shore Power outlet.
When you PLUG IN your 50amp shore power Cord, from your RV, the same 240v power enters your ATS(Auto Transfer Switch), and then into your MAIN PANEL, still as 240v power, indicated by your own Main Panel's 50amp DOUBLE-POLE main breaker set, just exactly like the one at the shore power Pedestal.

When the 240v power enters your Main Breakers, though, it is then 'SPLIT' into two separate and independent Power Buss Bars, which the individual Circuit Breakers attach to in the panel. While you may not can 'see' these power Buss bars, they provide 120v power to the two 'SIDES' of power in your RV - essentially creating two separate 120v lines of service, or 100amps of usable 120v power.

With this type of 'split' service, a 50amp RV actually has 70 AMPS MORE of 120v power than the aforementioned 30amp RV service.


Yes, there are a very, very few higher-end Motorhomes, and even 5th Wheels, that will provide a main panel that uses the actual incoming 240v service, such as for a residential 240v clothes dryer. While these main panels are more like your home's main panel, and can allow for the inclusion and use of individual double-pole circuit breakers to access this 240v power, the vast majority of RVs with 50amp service don't have appliances that require this - their main panels actually don't even have this capability.


Could we simple 'rename' 50amp RV service as "100amp RV service" in order to more simplify the equation? Possibly, and some campgrounds, rv parks, and resorts actually DO use the term '100amp service', but the main reason that the vast majority don't is really do to the fact that the electrical industry doesn't either.
The electrical industry looks at the number on the Main Breaker, and uses that as the 'vernacular', or term, for the 'amount' of power you have. Since the main breaker is a double-pole 50amp type, it is called then '50amp Service', regardless whether it is 240v service, or 120v service.

It is what it is, whether we might be confused by it or not.

But, it's also a reason that many campers who have always had 30amp RVs might think that those of us with 50amp RVs are only getting '20amps more' of power.... but, alas, it's not that simple.