Community Forums

jamesdean65 · 10-20-2021, 05:02 PM

I was having an issue with my GFCI tripping every time I use the vacuum cleaner. After close inspection I found this. I have only RV for three years put 10,000 miles on it I never had an issue. But I have to think that this was done at the factory the load wire was touching the ground.

Dutch Star Don · 10-20-2021, 05:06 PM

After 10000 miles of bouncing around, it could have been just enough to get things rubbing. Do you by chance ever plug a portable heater into that outlet? Many have found poor wiring in their coaches and the outlets are far from high quality/durable units.

jamesdean65 · 10-20-2021, 05:12 PM

I have plugged in a portable heater in the living room area which is on the load side of this GFCI.

Solo_RV_Guy · 10-20-2021, 05:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jamesdean65

I was having an issue with my GFCI tripping every time I use the vacuum cleaner. After close inspection I found this. I have only RV for three years put 10,000 miles on it I never had an issue. But I have to think that this was done at the factory the load wire was touching the ground.

Greeting, Jamesdean65, welcome to iRV2.

From your pic it looks like the installer used the captive wire terminals rather than the screw down terminals. It's faster but less reliable because it has less contact area with the wire.

The damage was caused by heat, which came from the resistance created by a loose connection. Could be from vibration or simply not installed correctly.

Good find, too! Trim back the damaged wire, replace the GFCI and use the screw terminals. Extra points for adding a dab of No-Ox. Torque to spec.

SKP Kirk · 10-21-2021, 03:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Solo_RV_Guy

Greeting, Jamesdean65, welcome to iRV2.
Trim back the damaged wire, replace the GFCI and use the screw terminals. Extra points for adding a dab of No-Ox. Torque to spec.

While I agree with the remainder of this response, after 40 years in electrical repair work I see nothing to be gained by using No-Ox there. It is for use when you have aluminum wire to copper or something of that sort.