Ira wrote:And I might as well post this here instead of starting another thread:
My 20 amp circuit is for the air. (The other two are 15s.) I planned on installing a 2-receptacle outlet in metal box, just surface mounted to the front wall next to the AC. (No way to cleanly/adequately recess it into the wall, and since the AC sticks out a few inches anyway, no big deal.)
Should I definitely use a GFI outlet here? I planned on using GFIs for the galley, in case of a sudden downpour, but I don't know if there's any reason to do so here, especially with my nearby breaker system, which is only going to be 2 feet away.
The breakers protect wireing. They do not protect people. Breakers work by detecting the TOTAL current passing through a circuit. When the current exceeds a the breaker's capacity, the breaker trips shutting down the circuit. So, let's say you have a 15 amp circuit. Depending on the circumstances, you can be electrocuted by far less current than that.
Proximity to the breaker system has no effect on the the GFCI. The GFCI works by comparing the current passing through the positive leg to the current passing through the negative leg of the curcuit. When the GFCI detects an imbalance, it shuts down the curcuit.
The easiest way to implement GFCI protection for the ENTIRE trailer is to use a GFCI protected extension cord like the yellow cord in the photo below. You only need one device to protect the entire trailer, provided you install it AHEAD of yor fuse box. You can get them in various lenghts and configurations at the big box stores. Simply plug one end into the campground's recepticle and the other end of your tear and Viola! Your're potected.