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Paul_G_'s avatar
Paul_G_
Explorer
Apr 12, 2014

GFI outlet vs GFI plugin

I need some electrical advise, it's not on an RV but please help.


I have a hot tub with a 20 amp -110v GFI plugin at the end of the power cord which plugs into a non GFI 20 amp outlet. The plugin went bad and I need to replace it.

My question is what would be wrong with putting in a 20 amp GFI outlet in place of the 20 amp non GFI outlet and just put a standard plugin on the power cord.

I my small mind, they are basically the same but I'm not an electrician so I hoping one will respond.

I just want to make sure the hot tub and occupants are protected.

If you have any questions or need clarification, please let me know.

Thanks.

Paul....
  • Old-Biscuit's avatar
    Old-Biscuit
    Explorer III
    Apr 12, 2014
    Change out the outlet to a GFI outlet.
    Change plug to standard plug

    Crank up the tub and enjoy!
  • pugslyyy's avatar
    pugslyyy
    Explorer
    Apr 12, 2014
    Just curious, what would the benefit be to your approach?

    Also, are you sure that the outlet GFCI does not also protect other outlets? It's pretty normal to have a branch circuit where the first outlet has the GFCI but all the other outlets are protected.
  • drsteve's avatar
    drsteve
    Explorer
    Apr 12, 2014
    pugslyyy wrote:
    Just curious, what would the benefit be to your approach?
    My guess would be it's cheaper and more convenient to just buy a GFI at the hardware store, instead of replacing the $pecial power cord.
  • Paul_G_'s avatar
    Paul_G_
    Explorer
    Apr 12, 2014
    Got it done, new GFI outlet/receptical and standard plugin, both 20 amp. Two reasons for doing it this way, the cost $75.00 plus 120 mile round trip to the dealer and local hardware store had what I needed.

    Thanks for the help.

    Paul...
  • naturist's avatar
    naturist
    Nomad
    Apr 12, 2014
    Glad that worked out for ya. Wisdom councils that ANY outlet that is going to supply power outside or anywhere there could be water should be a GFCI protected outlet, either at the circuit breaker or the outlet. So it is good you didn't just go cheap and do a regular outlet/cord.
  • Bobbo's avatar
    Bobbo
    Explorer II
    Apr 13, 2014
    naturist wrote:
    Glad that worked out for ya. Wisdom councils that ANY outlet that is going to supply power outside or anywhere there could be water should be a GFCI protected outlet, either at the circuit breaker or the outlet. So it is good you didn't just go cheap and do a regular outlet/cord.

    True that!

    When I bought my S&B house 4 years ago, the very first thing I did was replace every outside outlet, kitchen outlet, and bathroom outlet with GFI. (Or made them a load on another GFI outlet. Kitchen has 1 GFI protecting 3 outlets, bathroom has 1 GFI protecting 2 outlets.)
  • wa8yxm's avatar
    wa8yxm
    Explorer III
    Apr 13, 2014
    Old-Biscuit wrote:
    Change out the outlet to a GFI outlet.
    Change plug to standard plug

    Crank up the tub and enjoy!


    Best advice in thread, Could not have said it better.. This is actually BETTER than the original.

    or you can replace the circuit breaker with a GFCI-breaker though I do not know if that would be safer or not.

    (Safer because you reset it away from any water and such, More dangerous because you can not physically see the outlet while resetting)
  • drsteve's avatar
    drsteve
    Explorer
    Apr 14, 2014
    wa8yxm wrote:
    or you can replace the circuit breaker with a GFCI-breaker though I do not know if that would be safer or not.
    They are equally safe. The breakers are very pricey. GFCI breakers are required for hard wired equipment like spas and pools, or when protecting a shared-neutral circuit, which can only be accomplished with a 2-pole GFCI breaker.

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