Tripping Breaker

[Solo_RV_Guy]

Originally Posted by ArtJoyce

Sometimes the issue is some rv's bond the power distribution box or the generator. . A GFI can not have the circuit bonded down stream.

^^^^ THIS.

[bigchick]

Originally Posted by ArtJoyce

Sometimes the issue is some rv's bond the power distribution box or the generator. . A GFI can not have the circuit bonded down stream.

are you saying the neutral and ground leads are bonded (connected) in the rv electrical system? that would be a major no-no! which brand does this?

a generator may or may not have these leads bonded. or it may occur within an automatic transfer switch. but the generator and shore power should be completely separate so the bonding or lack of bonding in a generator would have absolutely not effect on a shore power gfci.

[oscarvan]

Originally Posted by ArtJoyce

Sometimes the issue is some rv's bond the power distribution box or the generator. . A GFI can not have the circuit bonded down stream.

Which is why I asked if the generator was running. Which raises the question whether the neutral is switched at the transfer switch..... hmmm.

[oscarvan]

Originally Posted by bigchick

are you saying the neutral and ground leads are bonded (connected) in the rv electrical system? that would be a major no-no! which brand does this?

a generator may or may not have these leads bonded. or it may occur within an automatic transfer switch. but the generator and shore power should be completely separate so the bonding or lack of bonding in a generator would have absolutely not effect on a shore power gfci.

So you're saying the neutral is switched in the transfer switch?

[Persistent]

In general, the neutral and ground sides of most 120 volt AC system are not switched anywhere in the system.

A transfer switch that switches between shore power and on board generator power should connect the neutral and ground together for generator power. This is called "bonding".

Shore power systems require a ground to neutral connection as well as an earth ground at or near the main service entrance.

An on board generator requires a neutral to system ground bond at or near the generator. (Earth ground is usually not required.)

Only one neutral to ground bond is allowed in any system at one time. For this reason the transfer switch bonds neutral to ground when it switches to on board generator. It disconnects the bond when it switches to shore power.

RV systems using portable generators require a bond between neutral and the ground system at or near the generator. It must be removed when RV is connected to shore power. (Earth ground is usually not required.)

These wiring code rules have been established over the last 150 years based on experience, accidents involving people and animals, and property damage.

I wish you good luck and happy trails ahead.

[Rhagfo]

Originally Posted by twinboat

If you ever turned on the water heater electric switch without water in it, that can give you a ground fault.

Some fridges and Ice makers can give a ground fault.

Sometimes you can't find it. In that case, for your safety don't replace your GFCI outlet ( it's there to save your life ) have a 30 amp service run.

Absolutely! Don’t replace a GFCI with a standard outlet. Instead install a 30 amp outlet for your connection.

[Solo_RV_Guy]

Originally Posted by bigchick

are you saying the neutral and ground leads are bonded (connected) in the rv electrical system? that would be a major no-no! which brand does this?

a generator may or may not have these leads bonded. or it may occur within an automatic transfer switch. but the generator and shore power should be completely separate so the bonding or lack of bonding in a generator would have absolutely not effect on a shore power gfci.

The transfer switch should take care of this bonding...

When the RV is plugged into shore power, the RV breaker box is considered by Code to be a sub-panel, where the neutral/ground bond exists upstream at the primary panel or "point of service" (code-speak). When running on generator, the bond is done because the generator IS the point of service. The transfer switch handles this change.