Wiring Help Needed

[joefromga]

So what is the "G" for in GFCI. It will test without a ground but is the unit protected. Would that make 2 smokers on the deck. One wet smoker and one dry smoker. :shocked:

Al

The unit is protected. The GFCI detects differences between the hot and neutral wires and breaks the circuit if there is any.

The problem is that ac cut off will most likely not have a neutral wire. And if it did he would be pulling those 13a from one side of that circuit while pulling less from the other side while running the AC. It's just a poor idea and shouldn't be done.

 

[grsthegreat]

A air cond circuit would have 2 hots and a ground. NO NEUTRAL.
SO THE ANSWER IS NO.
You should not tap off a 110 from the 220. People that do this use the ground as a neutral return path. This is a major nono

 

[LD1]

Agree to run another circuit.

Even if the AC unit did have a neutral, it is likely protected with more than a standard 20a breaker. Probably 30a or 40a. Which would make everything else downstream to the tub most likely undersized.

The "G" in GFCI stands for ground, but it isnt referring to just the ground wire. It is referring to actual ground (earth) and/or any path the current can take to get there. Any current going IN the GFI through the hot wire MUST return on the neutral. If it does not, it assumes it is lost to ground somewhere (earth) and "assumes" it is getting to earth through YOU. So it trips to save your life.

 

[oldnslo]

Ground is not need for a gfci to work, it measure imbalance between hot and neutral

https://www.nachi.org/forum/f19/gfci-no-ground-31370/

Interesting: Here in Northern IL if there is not a neutral and ground connected to the GFI it will not meet code and your inspection fails.

Not sure if this to provide a reduntant circuit to ground or for secondary protection or someones idea on a way to increase funds when remodeling older two wire homes.. (probably the most accurate reason)

 

[joefromga]

On GFCI outlets code requires a sticker to say ungrounded outlet. Most actually come with the stickers and they'll pass inspection on older buildings.

It's definitely safer to people but many homes still have the 2 wire system. The wiring is protected through neutral to buss bar but if your non-double insulated tool shorts to the case you'll get a shock and maybe be killed without a ground. But who knows in a gcfi setup if that would still happen. Most likely no.

 

[LittleBill21]

On GFCI outlets code requires a sticker to say ungrounded outlet. Most actually come with the stickers and they'll pass inspection on older buildings.

It's definitely safer to people but many homes still have the 2 wire system. The wiring is protected through neutral to buss bar but if your non-double insulated tool shorts to the case you'll get a shock and maybe be killed without a ground. But who knows in a gcfi setup if that would still happen. Most likely no.

why would u be killed with the gfci? if the current is balanced between hot and neutral then nothing is going through your body, u only die when the current finds its way to ground through your body, thus off balancing the hot neutral, thus kicking the gfci

 

[joefromga]

That's why I said probably no. Unless it fails and stays hot. I'm sure it's happened somewhere but I've never heard of it.

 

[jrepp44]

Sec. 210-7(d)(3) permits any of the following installations when replacing a 2-wire ungrounded receptacle:

(a) Replace it with another 2-wire receptacle;

(b) Replace it with a GFCI-type receptacle and mark the receptacle with the words No Equipment Ground; or

(c) Replace it with a grounding-type receptacle protected by a GFCI device (circuit breaker or receptacle). Since the grounding terminals for the receptacles are not grounded, you must mark the receptacles with the words GFCI Protected and No Equipment Ground.

 

[TheSpoon]

Everyone is missing the obvious answer. Get a new pellet smoker. Perhaps a Rec Tec or nice Traeger. Don't have to plug it in, don't have to worry about tripping.

Bonus: More smoked goodness.

 

[LD1]

The ground wire is there for a different purpose than a GFI circuit.