GFI Problem
I am trying to figure this problem out and don't quite know where to look next. When I plug in to a campground outlet that is GFCI protected, as soon as my surge guard kicks in the GFI protector on th...
Forum Discussion
DryCamper11 wrote:
Bobbo is right. A modern GFCI will trip even if there's no power on the hot lead. Many of us were taught that the GFCI compares the current going through the hot lead with the return current through the neutral and would trip if they aren't the same. Older GFCI's did that, so if there was no hot current, it wouldn't trip. Newer GFCIs are smarter and will trip if there's no load. You can try it. Stick some wire into neutral and ground on a GFCI socket and the GFCI trips. I've done it. That's what happens. If you do it, make sure you know what's neutral and what's hot !!!!!
I wondered why and got this answer:
"GFCIs contain a second toroid coil which induces a small current in the H and N wires at 120Hz. If the N and G are touching on the load side of the GFCI, there is current flow back through the main panel N-G connection; the sensing coil recognizes this as an imbalance between the H and N and trips the device. "
So, Bobbo is right. You have to disconnect the neutrals (or unplug devices, which disconnects the neutral at the plug). Turning off breakers tells you almost nothing.
Your quoted answer is correct, however, your assertion is not.
The torriod transformer needs a voltage present to test for a shorted neutral-ground wire when no load is present - no current flow.
No hot wire power, and no GFCI...
Test your theory with an uninstalled GFCI and short the ground and neutral together and tell me what happens...
