GFCI: yea or nay?

[nikwax]

I'm remembering reading a few threads on GFCI's and issues with them. Seems like if you connect an onboard GFCI to an external (campground supplied) GFCI then one of them will fault.

What is the current (ha ha) line of thought on onboard GFCI's?

[madjack]

I use a 12ga extension cord to connect to shore power...it has a GFIC plug on the male end ofit...I haven't encountered any problems using it at a GFIC protected power pole in a campground.....
madjack

[halfdome, Danny]

I put a GFCI plug as my first 110 volt plug in the tear after the circuit breaker. I don't trust anybody when it comes to electricity. Danny

[bobhenry]

I inadvertently shorted out my 120 v side while wiring and the GFI that is 1st in line simply tripped. All of my other outlets are fed off of the load side of this one. My question is if the GFI will trip for a short as well as a ground fault is the circuit breaker even necessary ???

[madjack]

bh, I would say YES...they serve two different purposes...the GFI will trip with only microamperage leaking...the CB will trip only when higher amps are detected.....
madjack

[jeep_bluetj]

The 2nd GFI won't trip the first unless something's wrong with it.

I've changed every single circuit in my house except for the fridge to GFI. Saved my bacon several times.

I'd definitely recommend for those doing 110v wiring in a trailer to GFI protect the entire thing. You may get some nuciance trips on a AC, but you'll be glad they're there if your hatch leaks.

[Gerdo]

I have a GFI adapter that I use. If I have some of the nusance trips then I can just pull in out of line. The problem comes mainly when you are wet and you touch something electrical.

[Alphacarina]

My question is if the GFI will trip for a short as well as a ground fault is the circuit breaker even necessary ???

They are not designed to trip for short circuits - In a short, the current on the hot wire and the current on the neutral wire are equal and that's 'OK' with the GFCI. GFCI's trip when some of the hot wire current is leaked to ground and it does that by monitoring to see if the current in the hot and neutral wires are equal - If it's not, some of the current has found a path to ground (like through your body) and THAT trips the GFCI

Yes, you still need a circuit breaker prior to the GFCI to protect from shorts which can cause fires

Don

[Gerdo]

I use AC .01% of the time so I went simple with my AC.

[Miriam C.]

My question is if the GFI will trip for a short as well as a ground fault is the circuit breaker even necessary ???

They are not designed to trip for short circuits - In a short, the current on the hot wire and the current on the neutral wire are equal and that's 'OK' with the GFCI. GFCI's trip when some of the hot wire current is leaked to ground and it does that by monitoring to see if the current in the hot and neutral wires are equal - If it's not, some of the current has found a path to ground (like through your body) and THAT trips the GFCI

Yes, you still need a circuit breaker prior to the GFCI to protect from shorts which can cause fires

Don

Exactly right! Both because they both have a purpose. You can also use an power strip that provides both. See the request for pictures for some expamples.

http://tnttt.com/viewtopic.php?t=20164

and Steve's sticky on the subject.

[Ken A Hood]

I plan on wiring my AC panel through the GFIC plug, and all additional outlets from it.

[tonyj]

Yea.

[nikwax]

I went with a GFI breaker in my breaker box, as my walls are too shallow for full sized outlet boxes.