[R-390] Need help fixing R390A not to trip GFI breaker

[Barry Hauser]

Roy Morgan wrote:
>
> - Faulty or incorrectly wired household outlets have been reported and 
> can lead to big trouble. An outlet tester can be bought for under 
> $10.  No shop should be without one.
>   Amazon's price is $7.75:
> <http://www.amazon.com/AEMC-Outlet-Tester-100-125V-Receptacles/dp/B0000WS7M6> 
>
> Grainger seems to want $19.83 for the same thing:
> http://www.grainger.com/Grainger/items/3T885
> But does offer a cheaper one at $5.64:
> http://www.grainger.com/Grainger/items/4YE77
>
> -
You can probably pick up one of those testers in Home Depot, or a 
hardware store of some kind.

But they're basically a convenience.   They basically just consist of 3 
neon bulbs (and resistors) in a molded grounded plug.  You can check 
with a multimeter on the right AC volts range.  You should get line 
voltage (110-125 VAC) from the smaller slot (hot) to the ground lug.  
(If no voltage reading, the ground is not wired or has excessive 
resistance to ground.)  You should get _no_ reading from the neutral 
(larger slot) to the ground lug terminal.   If you get a reading between 
the ground lug terminal and the neutral, the outlet is wired backwards 
and should be corrected.

Those things are handy when reaching under a desk/table/bench, etc, but 
you can also use the meter with an extension cord or outlet strip to 
accomplish nearly the same convenience.  Or if you have a bunch of NE-2 
bulbs, make up your own.  I don't recall the resistance value that's 
used with them.  However, as I recall, those neon bulbs don't light 
until there's at least 60 (or was it 90?) volts.  A meter would give you 
somewhat more info in the event of a leaky situation or excess 
resistance on the ground.

There's some kind of disclaimer with those handy testers -- they don't 
cover all types of faults -- just a 3-bulb deal.

Barry