GFCI outlet

Charles Erwin

Charles Erwin

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Jan 30, 2012
1,140
Nor'Sea 27 "Kiwanda" Portland/ Anacortes
An example - plug in your old single insulated electric drill to GFCI, have a short to the case. If it is 3 wire and if the ground is intact inside the drill - the GFCI trips.

If it is not 3 wire - like someone trimmed off the safety ground prong, or the ground has failed internally, or the extension cord ground is bogus - do the same but this time grab the motor block. Now the electrons are running through you on their way back to shore. The GFCI will save you a shock.

Stuff happens.

Charles
 
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Ken Cross

Ken Cross

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Oct 24, 2010
2,405
Hunter 30 Everett, WA
Charles is right. If you have a path to ground you can be zapped, and it doesn't need to be a perfect ground. For example touching your VHF while plugging in the coffee pot. The thing about electrical shock is it sneaks up on you.

Ken
 
Charles Erwin

Charles Erwin

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Jan 30, 2012
1,140
Nor'Sea 27 "Kiwanda" Portland/ Anacortes
Yes

For another example I used the very useful 2 wire reflector lamp. These frequently leak electrons and I endured a very shocking outcome. I imagine this probably explains why I write so poorly - both in my past posts the those today as well.

Charles
 
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All U Get

All U Get

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Oct 2, 2008
3,810
Pearson/ 530 Strafford, NH
You guys must know my wife, she thinks taking my picture when I have my hand in the breaker box is funny. The flash usually makes me wet my pants.
 
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SG

SG

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Feb 11, 2017
1,670
J/Boat J/160 Annapolis
Benny17441 said:
I for one have always questioned myself about the effectiveness of GFCI breakers in boats. The sole in boats does not make for a good connector to ground. The shore power ground wiring provides a more effective path of lesser resistance. I have had so many boats with OEM wiring that did not include GFCI breakers and never had a problem even though we have had some questionable appliances. I have never heard of a single actual case where a person was electrocuted by a leak of electrical current aboard a non metal boat and deck. Not disputing that it would not hurt to install GFCIs but just wondering if their protection is real. Obviously if your wiring does not include ground wires a GFCI could be helpful. Another situation to consider might be the use of non grounded generators aboard but have not heard of any cases either.
Click to expand
Benny, Isn't the principal advantage to limit the current flow from an AC outlet in the event of a ground fault? A simple appliance that become grounded (the hair dryer into the sink, for expample; or, the drill that gets into a ground fault while you're using it.)

I would think that a boat, where GROUND faults are readily available on a boat is the best reason for GFIC protected receptacles because you have so many items that are very effectively grounded around you.
 
Davidasailor26

Davidasailor26

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May 17, 2004
5,555
Beneteau Oceanis 37 Havre de Grace
SG said:
Benny, Isn't the principal advantage to limit the current flow from an AC outlet in the event of a ground fault? A simple appliance that become grounded (the hair dryer into the sink, for expample; or, the drill that gets into a ground fault while you're using it.)

I would think that a boat, where GROUND faults are readily available on a boat is the best reason for GFIC protected receptacles because you have so many items that are very effectively grounded around you.
Click to expand
I think Benny's point was that on a boat you are often not on a path to ground, since you're standing on a fiberglass floor. If you're not connected to ground then the electricity won't go through you to get there. In the hairdryer in the sink example that's only a problem if you're in the sink too, as the electricity would rather go through you to get to the grounded drain pipe than relatively fresh water.

Not sure I agree with Benny. I can think of plenty of times on a boat where I could be grounded through the floor, either through a wet shower pan, cabin sole with overflowing bilge, etc.
 
All U Get

All U Get

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Oct 2, 2008
3,810
Pearson/ 530 Strafford, NH
OK, we were on the boat over the weekend and I replaced two GFCI's with plain outlets and all outlets work. They still have one GFCI at the beginning of the circuit so all is well.
 
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agprice22

agprice22

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Aug 3, 2012
2,542
Performance Cruising Telstar 28 302 Watkins Glen
The ground pin on top is the standard in housing. If a plug becomes partly exposed, and something falls on it, it will touch the ground rather than the live wires.
 
Davidasailor26

Davidasailor26

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May 17, 2004
5,555
Beneteau Oceanis 37 Havre de Grace
agprice22 said:
The ground pin on top is the standard in housing. If a plug becomes partly exposed, and something falls on it, it will touch the ground rather than the live wires.
Click to expand
That makes complete sense, but every house I've lived in is the opposite.
 
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All U Get

All U Get

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Oct 2, 2008
3,810
Pearson/ 530 Strafford, NH
Just came from the Dr.s office and it's on the bottom. Same with the Dunkin Doughnuts at Walmart. [Don't ask how those two are related]
 
uncledom

uncledom

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Jun 11, 2011
1,243
Hunter 41 Lewes
@All U Get if you trip the GFCI do all the other outlets go dead? There is a line and load side to a GFCI so that you can chain outlets and have them protected.
 
agprice22

agprice22

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Aug 3, 2012
2,542
Performance Cruising Telstar 28 302 Watkins Glen
All U Get said:
Just came from the Dr.s office and it's on the bottom. Same with the Dunkin Doughnuts at Walmart. [Don't ask how those two are related]
Click to expand
Yup... don’t know when it started... our places in NY have the ground on top. But NY is a nanny state... we are protected from ourselves.
 
DougM

DougM

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Jul 24, 2005
2,242
Beneteau 323 Manistee, MI
agprice22 said:
The ground pin on top is the standard in housing. If a plug becomes partly exposed, and something falls on it, it will touch the ground rather than the live wires.
Click to expand
Never saw that until I moved to VA. circuits in my house have ground pin on the bottom except for wall switch controlled outlets (ground pin on top).
My son’s house in the Chicago area has all the outlets sideways and all the wiring in conduit.
 
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