[Boatanchors] Using the GFI's from hair appliances for AC-DC radios.

[Richard Post]

I use the (two-wire) GFI plug and cord from older hair dryers, 
curlers, etc. as replacement cords for AC-DC radios.  Thrift shops 
often sell the dryers or curlers for a buck or so.  Only get the old 
ones having the true GFI plug with the test and reset buttons.  Plug 
the dryer/curler in and press the test and reset buttons before 
purchasing.  It's the next best thing to an isolation transformer for 
those AC-DC radios that have the typical wood or plastic cabinet. 
New hair appliances no longer use the GFI.  Grab the old ones while 
you still can.


The only way to properly use a three-wire cord on a metal cabinet 
AC-DC radio such as the original S-38 is to rewire the power switch 
so that it does NOT switch to the chassis, but as has been noted, 
permanently wire the neutral to the chassis and wire the safety 
ground to the metal cabinet which is insulated from the chassis.

If the neutral is not tied to the chassis and the power switch not 
rewired away from connecting to the chassis, a three wire cord on 
such a radio would add to the danger because of having both sides of 
the line in easy reach with the radio chassis hot either in the off 
or the on position and the cabinet being the return with its safety 
ground tied to the neutral at the breaker box.

Rich
www.qsl.net/kb8tad





Date: Fri, 14 Jan 2005 01:05:18 -0500
From: "Horace W. Hall" <hwhall at compuserve.com>
Subject: Re: [Boatanchors] BA's and 3-wire cords
To: BOATANCHORS List <boatanchors at mailman.qth.net>

>  Ground fault interrupters do not require a ground to operate. They only
measure the difference in current on the hot and neutral. <

Thanks for correcting that, Gary. You're absolutely right. Depending on a
ground wire current as a trip mechanism would not be certain protection at