50 amp electrical question

[dieselguy]

I'm wiring in an Autoformer for my neighbor inside the storage compartment. I'm going to use a 50 amp female oven plug (NEMA 14-50)coming off the main power in. I'm wanting to buy a four foot 50 amp male pigtail (male plug on one end ... bare wires on the other)to replace the existing power cord into the breaker box. The Autoformer will plug in between these cord ends. As for the 50 amp pigtail ... RV pigtails ($$$$) come with three #6 wires and one #8 for the ground. 50 amp electric stove pigtails (like at Lowes) come with two #6 wires and two #8 wires. Are the #8 wires for the ground as well as Neutral OK for an RV or should I get the pigtail with L1, L2, and Neutral being #6 wire and ground #8 wire?

[BB_TX]

Why are you wanting to use a dryer plug? Get the standard RV type plugs and outlets so there will never be a question about being wired properly.

Click on 50 amp service at the link below


RV wiring

[dieselguy]

Female 50 amp oven plug and the male end of an RV 50 amp cable are the same configuration. The Autoformer has the same 50 amp male end as your power cord. There's no question in wiring it up as they are the same L1, L2, Neural, and ground... I just want a "sparkie" to chime in on the issue of the Neutral wire being a #8 and not a #6 on some pigtails listed on various websites.

[BB_TX]

For the RV the neutral should be the same size as the hots as it could potentially carry as much as 50 amps, same as each hot wire.

Since an oven is primarily a 220 device the neutral only has to carry current for lights, clocks, timers, etc.

[DQDick]

I'd PM Jim Fischer.

[dieselguy]

Thanks for the explanation ... looks like I'll order the right pigtail. No local RV dealer has what I want that's long enough.

[jcurtis934]

Agree with BB, neutral should be same as L1/2. Ground is #8 as it is safety line...not current carrier. John