[AMRadio] FW: 220 vac line

[Paul Christensen]

> There is black for HOT, white for NEUTRAL, and *INDEED* bare for the 
> ground pin of the *proper* three prong receptacles.

The GFCI receptacle has a ground terminal, just like any other receptacle to 
perform the same fault safety protection.  Nevertheless, the GFCI function 
is performed irrespective of the ground conductor -- even in the State of 
Virginia.  The GFCI does not reply upon, nor does it take into consideration 
the ground conductor.

The reasoning and method behind the GFCI is really a flash of genius.  It 
was designed to detected currents to ground, but does not reply upon the 
ground conductor to perform its task.  Any substantial current imbalance 
between line and neutral *must* be the result of a diverted, unsafe pathway 
back to the power source via ground.  That ground can be a direct 
connection, semi-conductivity through soil, etc.  It doesn't matter.  When 
the GFCI detects a difference of approximately 5 mA between line and 
neutral, the GFCI circuit opens and remains open until the fault is cleared 
and the GFCI is reset.

> I'll add that I am in Virginia, AND when a contractor used a faulty 
> electrical tool - The GFCI worked as it should have!

The GFCI would fault with or without a third-wire ground from the power tool 
since the ground conductor at the GFCI is irrelevant to performance of the 
device.  Power tools must either have a third-wire ground conductor -- or, 
if manufactured with only two conductors (line and neutral), it must be 
double-insulated.

Paul, W9AC