GFCI

[NikonD7100]

Purchased a 2007 Itasca Sunova in August 2013. Cannot find the GFCI, and wondered if the fuse box, which has three breakers in it, is in lieu of. Anybody have an answer for me?...and thanks!

Michael

[NLOVNIT]

If you don't have a GFCI outlet next to any of your sinks (one of them should, due to water proximity), check your wet bay or a bay under where you can gravity fill your fresh tank.

Lori-

[BFlinn181]

You didn't say how long your Itasca Sunova is, but it normally should have at least two, perhaps more GFI outlets, and as Lori said, usually near a sink. (most codes require GFI near water sources) In addition, common RV wiring practice has a GFI outlet with the Test/Reset buttons and then one or more more 'regular' outlets daisy-chained to the GFI. That protects them from the same issues a GFI protects against but you have to reset at the GFI outlet. Occasionally a GFI is where the microwave or refrigerator is plugged in. Once you have everything working, use a lamp or circuit tester and map out what circuit each breaker and GFI controls and make a 'map' of your electrical system. It's no fun trying to figure it out on a dark and stormy night or when you're trying to brew a cup of coffee!

A GFCI circuit breaker always has a TEST button on it.

[Dr4Film]

Did you check your 120 VAC distribution panel for any GFI circuit breakers?

If not there also, then you need to keep searching for a couple of GFCI's located somewhere throughout your coach.

Trust me, they are there!

Dr4Film ----- Richard

[hanko]

funny that they put GFI's in coaches. nothing you could touch inside the rv could be a possible path to ground, on rubber tires. I can see them on outside plugs, but inside not necessary. I guess the Mfg's are just covering there ass

[Dr4Film]

Hanko,

I think you are slightly off base with that statement.

Explain why the NEC requires GFCI's in bathrooms and kitchens of homes when you aren't standing on the "ground" but chances are a wood or tile floor.

I think common sense has to prevail in situations where there is a possibility of ANY moisture in the area.

Do you think?

Dr4Film ----- Richard

[milasman]

Ok, then fill your sink with water and put one hand in, then hold a butter knife in the other and stick it in a non GFCI outlet, let me know if you get shocked or not.

[BFlinn181]

Originally Posted by hanko

funny that they put GFI's in coaches. nothing you could touch inside the rv could be a possible path to ground, on rubber tires. I can see them on outside plugs, but inside not necessary. I guess the Mfg's are just covering there ass

You better cover your a$$ with rubber insulation, because if you backed into the door latch or metal skin of the RV and had your hand on a poorly wired appliance or power tool plugged into a non-GFI outlet...well, you'd be shocked at the result!

[milasman]

Better yet, strip a power cord and grab the black with one hand and the white or copper with the other, now plug that into a non GFCI outlet in your motor home. Let me know if you get shocked or not.

[milasman]

Ground, is just a term, it is about completing a circuit, that is why GFCI are installed.

[milasman]

Originally Posted by NikonD7100

Purchased a 2007 Itasca Sunova in August 2013. Cannot find the GFCI, and wondered if the fuse box, which has three breakers in it, is in lieu of. Anybody have an answer for me?...and thanks!

Michael

No, the breakers ARE NOT in lieu of a GFCI unless the breakers themselves are GFCI breakers.

[myredracer]

Pretty sure milasman has made it clear what can happen. Death...

I remember many years ago when GFCIs first came out a guy did a demo on TV. He held onto a live wire and jumped into a swimming pool and came out unscathed. I'd sure like to find a link to that if it exists anywhere.

[hanko]

One person says put you hand in a tub of water in your house and then stick a butter knife in a hot prong in the plug. water systems with copper pipe are grounded and therefore youd get knocked on your fanny, were takling a water system in a motorhome that is not grounded, one mentions metal skin on a rv, of course if the rv is pluged into shore power if things are correct with the campground electrical system yes a shock will occure. If you read what I said, I concured that outside recieptcles shoud be GFI. Water is a conductor if itself is attatched to something grounded, your water tank in your motorhome is not. all the water lines are pex or non metalic. All my counter top appliances are non grounded, therefore a GFI would prevent a line to ground shock in the case where the appliance frame became enegized, and you became part of the circuit. I dont remember mass electrocutions before GFI. Im also a licensed electrical contractor in Michigan, and I have a BA in electrical engineering, so I think I understand the idea behind GFI protection.

[hanko]

Originally Posted by milasman

Better yet, strip a power cord and grab the black with one hand and the white or copper with the other, now plug that into a non GFCI outlet in your motor home. Let me know if you get shocked or not.

Yep I see that happening everyday. They are setting funeral homes up at campgrounds. Pretty silly response guy, who the hell does that anyway?