Understanding Your Site's Power Supply

During a recent heat wave, a number of members raised concerns about their power supply, including breakers tripping frequently, melted receptacle plugs, and similar issues. This update addresses those concerns and explains why they occur.

First and foremost: each site at White Spruce on the Lake has 30 amp electrical service.

What 30 amps actually means
30 amp service is not equivalent to the electrical supply in your home. In hot weather, a 30 amp service can realistically power an air conditioner and trailer lighting — and essentially nothing else.

Why does my breaker keep tripping?

If your breaker keeps tripping, one of the following three causes is almost certainly responsible.


1) You are drawing more than 30 amps
Running any of the following appliances at the same time as your air conditioner can exceed the service limit:

  • Refrigerator
  • Hot water heater
  • Second refrigerator
  • Water pump
  • Kettle
  • Microwave
In high temperatures, an air conditioner compressor must cycle on frequently to maintain a cool interior. Each time the compressor kicks in, it causes a spike in power draw that approaches the maximum capacity of the service. Adding any other significant appliance at that moment pushes the draw beyond 30 amps and trips the breaker.
To keep your air conditioner running reliably during hot weather:
  • Switch your refrigerator and hot water heater to propane.
  • Reduce use of all other appliances as much as possible.
  • If you have a second refrigerator, you will likely need to choose between running it or running the air conditioner — when both compressors cycle on simultaneously, the combined spike exceeds 30 amps immediately.
Repeatedly exceeding the service limit is hard on your trailer's electrical system and appliances.
2) The air conditioner compressor is dirty
If all other appliances are off and the breaker still trips when the air conditioner runs, the compressor may be clogged with tree fluff, leaves, or debris and needs to be cleaned.

3) Connection and cord issues
Other common causes of a tripping breaker include:
  • A poor or loose connection between the trailer plug and the pedestal receptacle
  • A corroded extension cord
  • A melted plug
  • An extension cord that is too long, or has too small a wire gauge, causing a voltage drop between the pedestal and the trailer
For guidance on checking and correcting each of these, refer to the Important Electrical Precautions Checklist on the Member Hub.
A final note on 30 amp service
30 amp electrical service is the North American standard for campground sites. It is not a lot of power — particularly during a heat wave when an air conditioner is working hard. The single most effective step members can take is to reduce all other electrical loads during hot weather, which allows the air conditioner to run without tripping the breaker.


We hope that this guidance helps all of our members.