Electrical Issue
I have a new class c with 30 amp plug. I can plug into 30 amp with no problem. Can plug into 20 amp non GFI with no problem, but I trip every 20 amp GFI plug that I plug into. Do I have a problem that...
Forum Discussion
Harvard wrote:
This raises the question, why are 30A pedestals not protected by GFCIs. I believe it is because there could be a lot of false trips due to the normal leakage current expected from any individual RV AC distribution of capacitance. JMO.
I suspect it's just the NEC editors haven't gotten around to thinking about it yet. 30A GFCI circuit breakers are available. (One could reasonably ask why 50A RV pedestal outlets are likewise not GFCI protected; two pole GFCI breakers do likewise exist, though they are not exactly inexpensive.
I don't think too many RVs cause false GFCI trips due to expected capacitance or leakage in the electrical system (though that is indeed a possibility sometimes). Rather, I think most trips are caused by people having wiring faults (such as neutral/ground faults) or other problems they don't know about, problems that are a potential hazard. Fridge or water heater elements that are breaking down and leaking current to ground are one distinct possibility. I don't have any actual data to back this up, however.
If GFCIs were to be required, it may possibly make sense to have the fault current trip limit a little less sensitive than for standard 20A GFCIs.
