BB_TX wrote:
GFCI is certainly an essential part of the overall power system. But it is secondary to his discussion on bonding and grounding. And GFCI protection requires ground bonding to neutral to function properly since a ground fault must have a path back to the power source for any leakage to bypass the GFCI devices and cause them to detect the fault.
Yes, GFCI is important,
NO GFCI does NOT require a ground bond to neutral or dedicated ground connection, in fact GFCI's are one if not the only) NEC code approved solution to a 3 prong outlet on a two wire (no ground) circuit in older house.
ALL a GFCI requires is an IMBALANCE between the hot and neutral, AND if a GFCI detects a ground/neutral bond downstream of the GFCI it will trip.
GFCI doesn't give a rip about what path the imbalance is taking, just that there is an imbalance which indicates an unintended leakage path. The current could be going through you, back to earth ground, back to the main transformer, it could be going through you to the house ground, between you and another circuit in the system, doesn't make any difference. And a GFCI is NOT a guarantee of protection against a shock. If you are between hot and neutral well insulated with no leakage, your not going to trip the GFCI. For all it cares, the GFCI thinks your just a lightbulb, toaster, TV etc.
In fact in most cases when a GFCI trips if you get across a circuit, it trips because of a ground path other than the installed ground wire. Your likely between the hot leg and a resistance path back through wet ground, etc.
