Warning: I was using the wrong size breaker for my site trailers for years

Had a trailer in Phoenix last month for a strip mall job. Kept tripping the main. My guy said it was just a bad outlet. Then the GC's electrician walked by, saw our setup, and asked 'Why's a 50 amp trailer on a 30 amp breaker?' I froze. Checked the spec sheet on the trailer. He was right. I'd been doing it wrong on every temp power hookup for probably three years. Just assumed the panel was right. Cost me half a day of downtime that day. Anyone else ever get burned by not double checking the trailer specs against the breaker box?

3 comments

3 Comments

anna_fox715d ago

Oh man, that's rough. I'd say the bigger lesson is to always check the trailer's actual data plate, not just the spec sheet. Those sheets can be for a different model year. The plate on the side by the cord is the truth. Saved me from a similar mess last summer.

grace_white15d ago

Yeah that data plate thing is no joke. Buddy of mine bought a used camper last fall, the seller swore it was a 2020 model. The plate by the hitch showed it was actually from 2017, which explained why the floor felt so soft near the door. Whole different set of known issues for that year.

wendy_jackson11d ago

I mean, it's like that with so many things now. You just assume the label or the manual is right, but half the time it's off by a little.