Here is a cheap way to test how much a single item draws....
http://www.killawattplus.com/?.....4AodB2Ra5Q
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Glen,
That is a good question; most electric appliances are marked with the maximum amperage the appliance will draw or the wattage of the appliance, the voltage, manufacturer name, address, country of manufacturer on a placard or sticker on the bottom or back of the appliance.
Think of a incandescent light bulb; it is marked for example '100 watts'.
may also be marked 110 volts.
Almost all appliances designed for household use will be under 15 amps.
If you are using one appliance on a circuit you should be fine. It is when you are using more than one appliance on a circuit; greater than 15 amps can occur. Generally appliances that make heat with a heating element draw much current or amps (amperage). Check the rating for such household items like a toaster, electric skillet (fry pan), tea kettle, hair dryer, curling iron; you will see they are high wattage appliances.
I can trip the breaker in our tent trailer by simply plugging an electric heater and an electric drip coffee maker on the same circuit or in the same electric outlet. By rearranging the location of each item and plugging into a different outlet and thus a different circuit I will not trip the breaker and can run both appliances on at the same time.
I hope this is not too confusing for you; I tried to be simple here and not get into theory of electricity and such.
Good Luck and Happy Camping!
Frank and Susan.
What Frank's saying is it's simple math. If an appliance is 10amp and you decide you want to use another 10amp item in the same outlet attached to the same circuit breaker, you're doomed.
When camping and using either an A/C or heater, I run a dedicated extension to the external (shore) power supply. They are usually rated at 30amp or better. This way I know my internal outlets will still be available for my regular needs.
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