20amp - UPDATE!!!

[Sparksalot]

I noticed that the inlet that Uncle Chan showed comes in 15 and 20 amp options. Is there advantage of the 20 amp over the 15 amp?

There is to the guy selling you a 20 amp extension cord.

[MceeD]

I noticed that the inlet that Uncle Chan showed comes in 15 and 20 amp options. Is there advantage of the 20 amp over the 15 amp?

It would depend on how much amps you plan to use. If I was running alot of heavy elec. appliances, A/c, micro, I would want to use the 20A, basically the higher the rating, the more current it will handle before over heating.

When you are looking at a heavy duty plug or connector, the 15 amp and 20 amp units are built the same. (except for blade configuration) The true difference is the blade configuration. A 15 amp outlet/connector will only accept a 15 amp plug. This way you can use a smaller wire and not overload it. A 20 amp outlet/connector will accept either a 15 or 20 amp plug. You can buy an extension cord that has 15 amp plugs on it and is made with 12 gauge wire (which is rated at 20 amps).

I can certainly say with my background that they are most likely manufactured nearly identical, except for the UL listing. which states one is rated for 20amps at the listed voltage and the other at 15amps. the twist in one prong is so it can be used for 240v and you don't accidently plug in 120v devices. Does the 20amp have a listing for 240v?

[Uncle Chan]

I noticed that the inlet that Uncle Chan showed comes in 15 and 20 amp options. Is there advantage of the 20 amp over the 15 amp?

It would depend on how much amps you plan to use. If I was running alot of heavy elec. appliances, A/c, micro, I would want to use the 20A, basically the higher the rating, the more current it will handle before over heating.

When you are looking at a heavy duty plug or connector, the 15 amp and 20 amp units are built the same. (except for blade configuration) The true difference is the blade configuration. A 15 amp outlet/connector will only accept a 15 amp plug. This way you can use a smaller wire and not overload it. A 20 amp outlet/connector will accept either a 15 or 20 amp plug. You can buy an extension cord that has 15 amp plugs on it and is made with 12 gauge wire (which is rated at 20 amps).

I can certainly say with my background that they are most likely manufactured nearly identical, except for the UL listing. which states one is rated for 20amps at the listed voltage and the other at 15amps. the twist in one prong is so it can be used for 240v and you don't accidently plug in 120v devices. Does the 20amp have a listing for 240v?

The inlet pictured doesn't nor do the two female plugs I purchased. All specifically say 20amp 125volt.

[MceeD]

I noticed that the inlet that Uncle Chan showed comes in 15 and 20 amp options. Is there advantage of the 20 amp over the 15 amp?

It would depend on how much amps you plan to use. If I was running alot of heavy elec. appliances, A/c, micro, I would want to use the 20A, basically the higher the rating, the more current it will handle before over heating.

When you are looking at a heavy duty plug or connector, the 15 amp and 20 amp units are built the same. (except for blade configuration) The true difference is the blade configuration. A 15 amp outlet/connector will only accept a 15 amp plug. This way you can use a smaller wire and not overload it. A 20 amp outlet/connector will accept either a 15 or 20 amp plug. You can buy an extension cord that has 15 amp plugs on it and is made with 12 gauge wire (which is rated at 20 amps).

I can certainly say with my background that they are most likely manufactured nearly identical, except for the UL listing. which states one is rated for 20amps at the listed voltage and the other at 15amps. the twist in one prong is so it can be used for 240v and you don't accidently plug in 120v devices. Does the 20amp have a listing for 240v?

The inlet pictured doesn't nor do the two female plugs I purchased. All specifically say 20amp 125volt.

Well I guess I "type" corrected. In the electrical field typically the twisted prong version of a 20amp recptacle is rated for up to 240v. It very well could be that in the RV world they use them to idiot proof the 15amp from the 20amp?

...and for a minute I thought I knew it all... I hope for another minute soon.

[wlooper89]

I used 20A outlets for the four in my trailer with #12 wire. The galley ones are shown here. I like the way the connections are made on these outlets. I used a 30A power inlet and cord from the campground power pedestal and then split into two AC circuits with GFCI and a 20A CB on each circuit. There are a lot of different ways to do things and this was my choice. I am still limited to 30A total by the pedestal CB but can put up to 20A on one circuit. I learned the hard way that using two 20A rated GFCI from Home Depot or Lowe's is quite a bit less expensive than a single 30A one ordered online.

Bill