Forum Discussion

Masscamper's avatar
Masscamper
Explorer
Jun 02, 2017

GFCI

We have just brought home (new to us) a 2015 Cruiser Aire fifth wheel. Plugged it into our outside 20A outlet and it trips the GFCI. I have isolated the problem to the 15A microwave circuit. I have unplugged the microwave and used a circuit tester to verify that it wired correctly.
On this circuit there is only the circuit breaker, wire, and outlet. Should I assume the circuit breaker is the cause?
  • This is where I am stuck in solving this issue

    - microwave is unplugged
    - outlet tests no problems ( wired correctly, no open grounds)
    - I have isolated it to this circuit ( no faults for 48 hours with this circuit turned off at the circuit breaker)
    - house outlet tests no problems
    - wouldn't be the extension cord, 50/30/15 adapters as it is working with microwave circuit turned off.

    Thanks for all the help so far
  • RoyB's avatar
    RoyB
    Explorer II
    The slide would definitely be suspect haha... all those cables move back and forth with the slide... You should be able to check the wiring for being frayed or something...

    Plugging in the tester where the microwave plugs in will show an open ground perhaps... Maybe you have said that already haha...

    Roy Ken
  • RoyB's avatar
    RoyB
    Explorer II
    My microwave has an extension 120VAC circuit receptacle located at the top of my cabinet where the microwave is plugged into it...

    You could unplug the microwave here and then plug your circuit tester into this 120VAC source and see what it reads... Might have a bad connection back to the trailer 120VAC Distribution center...

    All of the grounds inside the trailer all routed to the 120VAC Power Distribution center and passed through back to the 120VAC ground wire from the source. This line is also going to frame ground on the trailer. The NEUTRAL Wire for all receptacle gets routed back to a terminal strip and is isolated from from the trailer ground and passes through to the shore power Neutral connection. The Circuit breakers are only in the HOT wire loop between the shore power HOT wire connection and each of the 120VAC HOT connection at the receptacles. I guess all of this makes sense haha...

    This pictorial kinda shows what i am saying here...

    Google Image

    Roy Ken
  • Yes, I have unplugged the microwave and it still trips.

    If the outlet is wired correctly and the circuit breaker cannot cause the fault, that leaves the wiring. The kitchen is on a slide if that adds any clues??
  • Use an extension cord to connect the MW to your GFCI outside plug. Results?
  • Have you unplugged the micro? It can cause a ground fault.
    A standard breaker isn't able to create a ground fault by itself.
  • Yes, I have tested the source outlet with that same circuit tester and the two bottom yellow lights lit up verifying the outlet is wired correctly.

    If I leave the microwave circuit breaker off, it does not trip.
  • RoyB's avatar
    RoyB
    Explorer II
    Have you also checked the 20A outlet source with your circuit tester before you have plugged in the trailer Shore Power cable or RV30A to 15A long adapter.... You want to see the two bottom lights burning for CORRECT from the source 120VAC as shown in this photo...

    Google Image

    Most of the time the GFCI is tripped because of a bad ground wire on the source connection in your House/Garage 120VAC connection.

    Also the RV30A to 15A long adapter may be at fault with its ground pass through. If you are using an extension cord plugged into the 120V outlet before using the RV30A to 15A Long Adapter and your Shore power cable you need to check the extension cord as well with the circuit tester.

    Anything you plug into between the 120VAC source connection could be at fault before you plug-in the trailer Shore Power cable connector which could trip the GFCI breaker.

    Roy Ken