"Gould 0738" wrote in message
...
I wonder why these power cords do not have a simple GFCI in-line breaker
that would trip and warn the user when any of the connections are
starting
to go.

Exactly the sort of wondering from which
(a few, and very small) fortunes have been made! :-)

GFI says you do not have as much current coming out on the Neutral lead as
going in on the hot lead. In otherwards another path (ground / you) for
current. The bad connections do not leak to the other posts, they just
created heat because of the resistance of the connection. Sort of like a
heater plugged in to the power. So the fires starts and the GFI is happy
until something shorts. The GFI shoud be required for safety, just like on
a swimming pool, but will not stop the fire from bad connections. You can
make a 2 wire circuit safe by having a GFI breaker in the circuit. Helps in
old houses when you want to run 3 prong plugs. And I think it is code most
places.
Bill