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GFCI?
Jul 6, 2014 18:29:40 GMT -8
Post by mrssilvermountan on Jul 6, 2014 18:29:40 GMT -8
Should I be replacing any of my plugs with GFCI?
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GFCI?
Jul 6, 2014 18:40:10 GMT -8
via mobile
Post by schweetcruisers on Jul 6, 2014 18:40:10 GMT -8
No-
1) the 20amp service at most camp grounds is a GFCI
2) even if you want to replace with GFCI's you only need 1, if the first plug on the circuit is a GFCI then all the other regular plugs down the line are GFCI's.
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GFCI?
Jul 6, 2014 19:02:50 GMT -8
Post by bigbill on Jul 6, 2014 19:02:50 GMT -8
you need a GFI on each circuit if you want to be certain and not trust an external source. As stated above you want the GFI on the first or closest to the breaker outlet.
For anyone who doesn't know what GFI OR GFCI stands for it is Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter, They are to prevent serious shock/electrocution.
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Post by mrssilvermountan on Jul 6, 2014 19:03:11 GMT -8
Ok so if theres a short one plug will take care of it? Cool. Now Can I put in one of these USB bad boys?  |
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GFCI?
Jul 6, 2014 19:13:55 GMT -8
Post by schweetcruisers on Jul 6, 2014 19:13:55 GMT -8
Yes you absolutely can use a USB plug, but it will only work when plugged in. Not sure I trust it with a converter.
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carvelloafer
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Post by carvelloafer on Jul 7, 2014 4:08:57 GMT -8
Read the instructions in the package to be sure you make the correct connections to protect the receptacles "downstream" of the GFCI plug. That is usually an option to protect or not protect other devices on the circuit.
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GFCI?
Jul 7, 2014 12:01:14 GMT -8
Post by bigbill on Jul 7, 2014 12:01:14 GMT -8
In todays world anybody that installs anything electrical without reading instructions deserves whatever happens to them. Things change from one day to the next.
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John Palmer
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Hi, From a vintage trailer guy located in Santa Ana, CA. It's good to see lots of activity here.
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GFCI?
Jul 7, 2014 12:12:08 GMT -8
Post by John Palmer on Jul 7, 2014 12:12:08 GMT -8
Read the instructions in the package to be sure you make the correct connections to protect the receptacles "downstream" of the GFCI plug. That is usually an option to protect or not protect other devices on the circuit. Welcome Doug, to the "other side"! LOL |
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kscountrygal
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1960s Comet
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GFCI?
Jul 14, 2014 20:34:08 GMT -8
Post by kscountrygal on Jul 14, 2014 20:34:08 GMT -8
I plan on adding a GFI circuit breaker to my rig. I'll take out the old 15A one (my little Comet only has a single 15A breaker), and replace it with a GFI. It should be good to go after that.
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John Palmer
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Hi, From a vintage trailer guy located in Santa Ana, CA. It's good to see lots of activity here.
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GFCI?
Jul 14, 2014 23:21:04 GMT -8
Post by John Palmer on Jul 14, 2014 23:21:04 GMT -8
I plan on adding a GFI circuit breaker to my rig. I'll take out the old 15A one (my little Comet only has a single 15A breaker), and replace it with a GFI. It should be good to go after that. Now I'm confused?
I always thought a circuit breaker, was a circuit breaker, and GFI is a type of circuit breaker, that is packaged "like a receptacle plug". How would one replace the other?
You might want to leave the existing 15A circuit breaker alone, and replace your "single" receptacle with a GFI receptacle.
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kscountrygal
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GFCI?
Jul 15, 2014 4:29:50 GMT -8
Post by kscountrygal on Jul 15, 2014 4:29:50 GMT -8
I plan on adding a GFI circuit breaker to my rig. I'll take out the old 15A one (my little Comet only has a single 15A breaker), and replace it with a GFI. It should be good to go after that. Now I'm confused?
I always thought a circuit breaker, was a circuit breaker, and GFI is a type of circuit breaker, that is packaged "like a receptacle plug". How would one replace the other?
You might want to leave the existing 15A circuit breaker alone, and replace your "single" receptacle with a GFI receptacle.
I am far, FAR from being an electrical whiz...but one is an outlet (think classic GFI in your bathroom or kitchen), the other is an actual circuit breaker that is installed inside the breaker box and protects everything 'downstream.' If you should happen to have what's known as a 'hot skin' condition (essentially, the outside of your camper is electrified!!) this could save your life. Here's some further reading: electrical.about.com/od/receptaclesandoutlets/qt/Should-I-Install-A-Gfci-Receptacle-Or-A-Gfci-Breaker.htmAlso, GREAT source of info here: www.noshockzone.org/category/rv-safety/My camper happens to have multiple receptacles, but it also had a 'hot skin' problem (thanks to the PO's diddling with forces he did not understand, plus a broken ground prong on the plug). I fixed the plug- and consequently, the hot skin issue- but I still want a GFI circuit breaker in there. Things get wet, stuff goes wrong, doo doo happens, etc- and I like stacking the odds towards safety as much as possible.  |
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GFCI?
Jul 15, 2014 4:56:19 GMT -8
Post by bigbill on Jul 15, 2014 4:56:19 GMT -8
A circuit breaker protects you from shorts. A GFI protects you from ground faults.
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kscountrygal
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GFCI?
Jul 15, 2014 5:13:01 GMT -8
Post by kscountrygal on Jul 15, 2014 5:13:01 GMT -8
A circuit breaker protects you from shorts. A GFI protects you from ground faults. True- but there are two* kinds of circuit breakers. There is the 'standard' breaker, and then there is a GFI breaker. There is also a GFI receptacle.  *There are other kinds of breakers, too- such as an arc-fault interrupter. But for the purposes of this discussion, there are 2: standard and GFI. |
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Post by bigbill on Jul 15, 2014 11:18:25 GMT -8
Yes and if you think it will aid in this discussion we will discuss higher voltage devices used to protect people and circuits but I was trying to keep it simple. We could even get into 400 volt direct current industrial circuits if you think anybody is going to install it in their trailer. |
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GFCI?
Jul 15, 2014 22:44:12 GMT -8
Post by vikx on Jul 15, 2014 22:44:12 GMT -8
I hate GFCIs installed in a trailer. I think it should be at the campground plug in. A ground fault interrupter is much more likely to trip in a trailer than not. If a GFI is needed, use a portable strip. Much easier to replace.
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