[R-390] GFCI issues

[Bob Camp]

Hi

Keep in mind that there is no way a two wire device can trip a working GFCI all by it's self. It simply can't generate an imbalance between the hot and the neutral. There's no place else for the current to go. In order for it to trip a GFCI, there *must* be a third path, generally to ground. Assuming you are holding the two wire device up in the air (and not underwater) the only place for the current to go is through you. It's not going through the air. If it's going through you, you *would* notice it.

Bob

On Mar 20, 2013, at 4:04 PM, rbethman <rbethman at comcast.net> wrote:

> I used Mr. Hacksaw.
> 
> I can now look at the circuit inside.
> 
> The Hot and Neutral are wound through a toroid.
> 
> There are a pair of wires coming out of the middle of the toroid. They go to a solenoid.  That solenoid, when it moves, trips the mechanical switch inside the GFCI and opens the circuit!
> 
> It is definitely a Rube Goldberg thing to look at - but it DOES work!
> 
> This is the GFCI that I removed from the Old Hair Dryer.  It has NO ground!  It is a two prong device.
> 
> Bob - N0DGN
> 
> 
> 
>> On 2013-03-20 02:37 PM, rbethman wrote:
>>> Actually, it senses the current differential between hot and neutral.
>>> 
>>> It may seem tp be picking nits, but that IS how they do this. As
>>> another friend, an EE that works this field extensively explained, it
>>> should trip if a simple 15K resistor is put across hot, black, and
>>> neutral, white.
>> 
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