At 08:57 AM 1/3/2003, David Brodbeck wrote:
>About the only thing that will trip a GFCI is an imbalance between the hot
>and neutral currents, which the GFCI interprets as a current leak to
>ground.

I think some (all?) older ones actually measured third-lead current -- now
they check for equal current on hot and neutral legs.  Tripping value is
around 5 milliamps -- quite enough to feel if it happens to be going
through you, but small enough you should be able to let go.  Of course
extraordinarily tiny currents can kill you if you have an implanted
electrode in the heart -- but if you do you'll no doubt already know about
that stuff.

>   If you happen to know anyone with a "megger" they could check
>your Vanagon's 120V wiring for insulation failures.  Otherwise I'd borrow
>or buy one of those extension cords with a GFCI built in, and see if the
>van trips it.  If so, try unplugging everything inside (including the
>fridge) to see if you can narrow it down.  If your GFCI doesn't trip,
>maybe the outlet at the camp site was defective.
>
>I once tripped a GFCI at home with RF.  I hit the transmit switch on a 25
>watt transmitter and the lights went out. ;)

Marine VHF by chance?  I smoked (literally) my wife's hair-dryer GFI with a
handheld at five watts, six foot distance.  It failed in operating
condition though...since we rarely use the thing while showering I haven't
replaced it yet.

David

--
David Beierl - Providence RI USA -- http://pws.prserv.net/synergy/Vanagon/
'84 Westy "Dutiful Passage"
'85 GL "Poor Relation"