Change Summary

• The number of RV sites required to be equipped with 50-ampere, 125/250-volt receptacles has increased from 20 percent to 40 percent for all new recreational vehicle sites
• GFCI devices used in RV site electrical equipment are not required to be weather- or tamper-resistant in accordance with 406.9 and 406.12

Expert Analysis

The demands for the type and rating of receptacles provided at recreational vehicle (RV) parks continue to grow and expand. A 30-ampere rated system is the most common type of electrical system provided on RVs. In the last Code cycle, a new requirement was added at 551.71 requiring every RV site equipped with a 50-ampere receptacle to also be equipped with a 30-ampere, 125-volt receptacle. This requirement was an attempt to stop or slow down the increasing use of a “cheater cord” at RV sites supplied with only a 50-ampere receptacle. These “cheater cords” are a 50 ampere to 30-ampere short cord being sold to connect a 30-ampere RV supply cord to a 50-ampere receptacle. Proper connection of the grounding and bonding connections is only one concern with these “cheater cords” being employed along with improper overcurrent protection for the RV itself.

For the 2017 NEC, the number of RV sites required to be equipped with 50-ampere, 125/250-volt receptacles at RV parks has increased from 20 percent to 40 percent of all new recreational vehicle sites. A minimum of 20 percent of existing RV sites equipped with a 50-ampere, 125/250-volt receptacle remains sufficient. As the industry increases the number of RVs equipped with 50-ampere supply cords, it is important to ensure that RV parks and campgrounds can safely accommodate these power supplies so that “cheater cord” adapters are not a viable option.

Another change initiated at 551.71 was the use of the term recreational vehicle site supply equipment. This term is defined at 551.2 (necessary equipment intended to constitute the disconnecting means for the supply to that site) but is not mentioned in previous editions of the Code at 551.71.

Lastly, a new sentence was added at 551.71(F) specifying that “GFCI devices used in RV site electrical equipment shall not be required to be weather- or tamper-resistant in accordance with 406.9 and 406.12.” In their Committee Statement, CMP-19 indicated that RV site electrical equipment listed for use in RV parks is NEMA 3R rated, weather-resistant rated equipment and the weather-resistant receptacle requirements of 406.9 are not needed. This statement went on to say that RV site electric equipment is not for use in a dwelling, so the tamper-resistant receptacle requirements of 406.12 is not necessary.

For RV connection, Leviton offers receptacles to comply with requirements of Article 551.71

RV Receptacles