Why not use AFCI's in RVs?
First let me say I am not trolling or being a SA, I am not too familiar with AFCI's as they didn't hit the NEC until 1999 and I retired in 1995. If as our SE used to say, "if one safe device is good,...
Forum Discussion
myredracer wrote:BurbMan wrote:myredracer wrote:
My question is why they don't use a single pole 30 amp GFCI for a main breaker and protect everything against a ground fault? Cost would be one reason why not.
Because you never want a fridge or freeze plugged into a GFCI outlet or breaker. In fact, the code allows exceptions for this. The freezer in my garage is connected to a non-GFCI recepticle.
As long as it is a single outlet like this:
It is considered "special purpose" under the NEC, as long as you can't plug anything else intop a non-GFCI protected outlet. You're not going to unplug your freezer to plug in a power tool....
Interesting. I've never heard of a technical reason why a fridge or freezer shouldn't be on a GFCI. This article says any fridge less than 20 years old isn't a problem and there is no technical reason for a fridge or freezer not to be on a GFCI. Other than in residential applications, a GFCI is NEC required, except that in a residential basement or garage, all recepts. including one for a fridge must be on a GFCI. Interestingly, the article says that one day all receptacles will likely require a GFCI and an AFCI. NEC and fridges/freezers on a GFCI. An electrical inspector told me once that it's good practice to have a fridge or freezer connected to the same circuit as the lights in the room so that if the lights won't go on, you will know right away that your fridge and freezer could be off.
Could there be something about an RV fridge that won't work well on a GFCI?
The non-technical reason is:
Because CFCI are meant to be used in wet environments, increasing the odds of one tripping. A freezer full of spoiled food isn't pleasant to deal with.
