How to Wire an RV Plug for a 30 Amp Generator
A recreational vehicle (RV) generator with a 30-amp outlet will either be an aftermarket or onboard option. Both will have an American National Standards Institute (ANSI) stock outlet, designated TT-30R. The aftermarket generator's outlet will be attached to its fascia panel; the onboard generator will be wired to an outlet in the cargo bay dedicated to storing the umbilical cord (usually situated to rear of the driver's side). Both will accept only the ANSI stock plug designed specially for 30 amp RV use, designated TT-30P, a three-pin male cable end. Wiring the plug is a very simple process.
Other People Are Reading
Instructions
-
-
1
Trim away 1 inch of the RV umbilical cord's outer sleeve, using your craft knife. Ensure no damage is done to the insulation bonded to each separate each wire.
-
2
Strip away a half-inch of the insulation bonded to each separate each wire, using your wire strippers. Twist the strands of each bared end separately, so you have three firm threads.
-
-
3
Loosen the fastener holding the plug's two sections together and lift away the top. Hold the plug base with the pins pointing away from you.
-
4
Observing the color codes, match the twisted ends of the wires with the plug connections and slip the wires into the holes in the tops of the pins. Clamp the brass-colored screw to the black, hot wire. Clamp the silver-colored screw to the white, neutral wire. Clamp the green-colored screw to the green, ground wire. Sometimes the relevant screw will not be colored green; in that case clamp the green, ground wire to the U-shaped pin.
-
5
The TT-30P features an in-built harness designed to clamp over the umbilical cord's outer sleeve. It stops tugging strain being transferred to the connectors when the plug is pulled from its outlet. Clamp down the harness tightly.
-
6
Put the plug top back in place and screw in the fastener.
-
1
Tips & Warnings
Ensure the brass pins do not fall from their housings when the top is removed from the plug.
Visually the TT-30P is very similar to other commonly available large, round three-pin plugs produced by the National Electrical Manufacturers Association (NEMA), such as NEMA 10--30, NEMA 5-30R, NEMA 6-30R and NEMA 10-30R. It also looks similar to old-style three-wire 220 volt plugs on appliances such as welders, stoves and clothes driers. Be very careful to buy the correct plug, labeled TT-30P, and not a plug that simply looks correct. Never attempt to plug a 120 volt RV into a 220 volt socket.
References
Resources
- Photo Credit rv,motorcoach image by Greg Pickens from Fotolia.com
