Upgrading dock electrical service from dual 30 amp service to single 50 amp.

[Snook]

Is is possible to upgrade a present dock power service from dual 30 amp service to a single 50 amp service? I realize the wire size should be heavier but is it possible to wire a 50 amp outlet with the present wires. I am trying cut out the reverse y adapter situation I presently have and just plug in my 50 amp cord. I also realize that I would still have a 30 amp rating. My reverse y adapter went bad and I thought, if possible, it might be cheaper to buy a 50 amp outlet than a $500 y adapter.

 

[Larry]

Yes, you can. as you stated you will still be limited on the circuit to the 30 amps per phase. Just remember that the 50 amp plug is a 2 pole 50, meaning you will have 2 hot legs 1 nuatral and a ground (it's called single phase, even though there are 2 poles). Everything is still well protected because your circuit breaker is protecting the #10 gauge wire (30 amp) which is the "weakest" link in the circuit

 

[fc3]

As Larry said, the answer is yes. Have a qualified electrician do the work. Also make certain that he installs 30 amp breakers and not 50 since the wiring can't handle 50A.

 

[Larry]

Good reminder by Frank not to change the breaker to a 50!!

 

[dpmulvey]

When all is said and done, I believe it will be a wash. 50 is more $$$ than 30 and 30 is more $$$$ than 20. It is what it is.

Something else to consider. Dual 30's give you 30 per side. A single 50 split gives you 25 per side. May not mean a thing depending on how your load is split.

 

[Larry]

David,
A 50A dockside connection is actually 2 50A legs not 2 25's.