Here's my article from 2010 on how GFCI protection works. I'll soon follow up with an article on why a GFCI can nuisance trip if you plug your RV into one.
GFCI breakers or receptacles in your RV and home should be tested at least once per year at a minimum, twice (every six months is better). Like everything they can fail
True, however the manufactures of the self test receptacles still suggest that they are tested by pressing the test button to illuminate the amber light and then press the reset button to turn the light off. If the receptacle fails to do this then it should be replaced. Also there are millions of the older style GFCI receptacles still installed.
Thanks Mike. And I think I know which outlet is GFCI; The one in the bathroom has a red reset button so I figure that's it. Thanks for sharing your expertise!
Yes, that is correct. And all the other outlets downstream of it are protected by this single GFCI outlet. And since there’s only a single 20-amp circuit breaker feeding that entire string of outlets, you’re limited to a max of 20-amps of current in total. Makes sense?
The breaker tripped. All the outlets have a GFCI stickers on them. Is it important for me to know which outlet is the GFCI? Thanks for the info - won't try to space heaters again. Can you give me an idea of what should run in addition to 1 space heater when I exercise the genny? Maybe the fan that runs for the propane heater?
I’m just about positive that all your outlets are on that one circuit breaker. So you can’t power more than one 1,500-watt heater. However, I’m sure that running a single 1,500-watt load for an hour would be sufficient to get your generator’s oil up to full temperature and boil out any moisture.
I have an on-board 4000 Onan generator. I use a 1500 w space heater to exercise it in the winter. I was recently told that 1500 w is not enough of a load so I used two space heaters. All outlets in my 25' motor-home are labeled GFCI. After running for an hour I went to the barn to shut down the generator and found the heaters were no longer running. I turned off the generator and found the circuit had tripped. The temp rose only a few degrees so I think the heaters didn't run very long before it tripped. It should have been able to handle 3000 w but after reading your article I guess I need to have someone qualified track down the problem. The microwave and A/C work fine on the genny. Any thoughts? Thanks, cheryl
Was this a GFCI breaker that tripped, or was it a GFCI outlet? Generally, an RV will only have one 20-amp branch circuit feeding all outlets, with the first outlet being a GFCI. Each 1500 watt heater draws around 12.5 amps, so two would add up to 25 amps and easily trip a 20- amp breaker in about 5 to 10 minutes.
Not sure I'm responding correctly because I only see your comments, none of mine. So to answer your Q " Was this a GFCI breaker that tripped?"... I think so. Whoever wrote down each breaker & fuse had horrible handwriting, more like scribbling! I figured out the GFCI outlet is in the bathroom and I wasn't plugged into that outlet at the time. When I realized both heaters were not working I went to the fuse box and found the circuit breaker was tripped so turned off the generator, reset the circuit breaker and plugged the shoreline into my pedestal; then outlets were working.
GFCI breakers or receptacles in your RV and home should be tested at least once per year at a minimum, twice (every six months is better). Like everything they can fail
That’s true. But in reality most are never tested. That’s why the latest generation of GFCI outlets self-test every few minutes.
True, however the manufactures of the self test receptacles still suggest that they are tested by pressing the test button to illuminate the amber light and then press the reset button to turn the light off. If the receptacle fails to do this then it should be replaced. Also there are millions of the older style GFCI receptacles still installed.
Thanks Mike. And I think I know which outlet is GFCI; The one in the bathroom has a red reset button so I figure that's it. Thanks for sharing your expertise!
Yes, that is correct. And all the other outlets downstream of it are protected by this single GFCI outlet. And since there’s only a single 20-amp circuit breaker feeding that entire string of outlets, you’re limited to a max of 20-amps of current in total. Makes sense?
The breaker tripped. All the outlets have a GFCI stickers on them. Is it important for me to know which outlet is the GFCI? Thanks for the info - won't try to space heaters again. Can you give me an idea of what should run in addition to 1 space heater when I exercise the genny? Maybe the fan that runs for the propane heater?
I’m just about positive that all your outlets are on that one circuit breaker. So you can’t power more than one 1,500-watt heater. However, I’m sure that running a single 1,500-watt load for an hour would be sufficient to get your generator’s oil up to full temperature and boil out any moisture.
I have an on-board 4000 Onan generator. I use a 1500 w space heater to exercise it in the winter. I was recently told that 1500 w is not enough of a load so I used two space heaters. All outlets in my 25' motor-home are labeled GFCI. After running for an hour I went to the barn to shut down the generator and found the heaters were no longer running. I turned off the generator and found the circuit had tripped. The temp rose only a few degrees so I think the heaters didn't run very long before it tripped. It should have been able to handle 3000 w but after reading your article I guess I need to have someone qualified track down the problem. The microwave and A/C work fine on the genny. Any thoughts? Thanks, cheryl
Was this a GFCI breaker that tripped, or was it a GFCI outlet? Generally, an RV will only have one 20-amp branch circuit feeding all outlets, with the first outlet being a GFCI. Each 1500 watt heater draws around 12.5 amps, so two would add up to 25 amps and easily trip a 20- amp breaker in about 5 to 10 minutes.
Not sure I'm responding correctly because I only see your comments, none of mine. So to answer your Q " Was this a GFCI breaker that tripped?"... I think so. Whoever wrote down each breaker & fuse had horrible handwriting, more like scribbling! I figured out the GFCI outlet is in the bathroom and I wasn't plugged into that outlet at the time. When I realized both heaters were not working I went to the fuse box and found the circuit breaker was tripped so turned off the generator, reset the circuit breaker and plugged the shoreline into my pedestal; then outlets were working.