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spencerin
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# Posted: 23 Jan 2021 09:15pm
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I'm thinking about buying one for outside applications.
The typical setup is a few inches of cord between the male outlet plug and the GFCI device, and then X' of cord between the GFCI device and the female outlet end.
If I were to grab the male plug and the electricity jumped into me, I still get electrocuted and the device doesnt interrupt it, correct? I'm 99.99% certain that's the case as the circuit gets shorted before the GFCI device, and it's therefore only effective at the female end.
Just need someone to confirm.
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gcrank1
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# Posted: 23 Jan 2021 10:21pm
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Not sure, but I think Ive read stuff about how those dont work with a typical generator unless you do the real grounding of it and the service box.
I bought one a while back for our RV after it was recommended on an RV forum for use at campgrounds where the box wiring may be iffy. Never had a chance to use it, we havent gone anywhere with it in the last 2 years and have the cabin now.
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ICC
Member
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# Posted: 23 Jan 2021 10:33pm - Edited by: ICC
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GFCI do NOT need a ground wire to work properly. A GFCI can be installed on an old 2 wire system and will protect the same as it will in a 3 wire system with a proper ground.
The typical plug in tester will not work though. Those do need a ground in order to function as the tester requires the ground wire to simulate a power leak and cause the GFCI to trip. The GFCI will trip if a real fault, a real leak occurs. The test button will also function as it does not require a ground.
As for the original question, if the line supplying power to the GFCI extension does not have its own GFCI protection, then yes there could be danger lurking when the male end of the GFCI extension is plugged in. It would still be better to use a GFCI extension that not to as then at least everything downstream has protection.
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gcrank1
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# Posted: 23 Jan 2021 11:21pm - Edited by: gcrank1
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Thanx for the clarification ICC; now if I can remember it....
To the orig question, I dont get why you should get juiced by the male end.
Are you thinking like it is wet out and you grab the male plug to unplug it (maybe a twist lock?) and it arcs to you?
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ICC
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# Posted: 23 Jan 2021 11:40pm
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Who knows why it might happen? Rain and a big puddle? Deficient insulation on the wire? The thing is IF something happens a person would not be protected because they would be on the wrong side of the GFCI. Perhaps it is simply a theoretical what if?
Maybe it helps to remember that a GFCI simply compares the current flow in the hot and the neutral wires. If it senses a difference it disconnects faster than it takes to think about it. The difference in current can be as little as 4 or 5 milliamps and the trip time less than 1/10 of a second.
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spencerin
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# Posted: 24 Jan 2021 12:08am
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I want to use it for an exterior outlet that's non-GFCI. It of course has a nice 'n tight cover on it, but you never know when water might end up on the outlet. I'll probably either convert it to a GFCI outlet or install a GCFI breaker instead.
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Brettny
Member
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# Posted: 24 Jan 2021 07:05am
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Quoting: spencerin GFCI outlet or install a GCFI breaker instead.
I would suggest these over a gfci device.
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