Jim Irvine wrote:

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.


Probably because a 30 or 50 amp GFCI breaker somehow encapsulated as
part of a shorepower cord would add about $300 to the cost and darn few
boaters would buy one and what would it do to prevent the scenario
described?

There is already a breaker on the dock, right? All an additional GFCI
breaker would do is open when the slightest leak occurred to ground. Any
short drawing less than the rated current (more than enough to start a
fire) would be ignored unless the ground conductor was involved. Plug a
hair dryer into the bathroom GFCI outlet, and you will see lots of
glowing wires available there. There is nothing in a GFCI to prevent the
same glowing wires in your shorepower socket.

Rick

Probably because a 30 or 50 amp GFCI breaker somehow encapsulated as
part of a shorepower cord would add about $300 to the cost and darn few
boaters would buy one and what would it do to prevent the scenario
described?

There is already a breaker on the dock, right? All an additional GFCI
breaker would do is open when the slightest leak occurred to ground. Any
short drawing less than the rated current (more than enough to start a
fire) would be ignored unless the ground conductor was involved. Plug a
hair dryer into the bathroom GFCI outlet, and you will see lots of
glowing wires available there. There is nothing in a GFCI to prevent the
same glowing wires in your shorepower socket.

Rick


You're right, in his situation a GFCI probably wouldn't have tripped, but a
AFCI (Arc Fault Circuit Interrupter) would have.
I've seen 50amp GFCI's for around $150, but I have no idea how much a AFCI
would cost (if even available at that amperage).

Joe wrote:

You're right, in his situation a GFCI probably wouldn't have tripped, but a
AFCI (Arc Fault Circuit Interrupter) would have.
I've seen 50amp GFCI's for around $150, but I have no idea how much a AFCI
would cost (if even available at that amperage).

I don't know either if AFCI's are available over 20 amps, that is as
high as I have seen them. Can't imagine why the technology couldn't be
applied to any breaker size though. Maybe there isn't a market for them
above those required by the codes.

If they are available, don't cost too much, and would work upstream of
multiple branch circuits I would seriously consider building one into my
switchboard. My shorepower cord is hardwired to the switchboard and
would not benefit from an AFCI.


Rick