Two Prong Outlet and Voltage Monitor

[ttbikes]

Will a voltage monitor with a ground fault warning work if I change out a two prong ground outlet with a three prong outlet and ground it to the frame like the two prong outlet? I have not been able to find a two prong monitor with ground fault warning.

[sgschwend]

It sounds like you want to install a ground fault circuit interrupter the outlet?
Or were you wishing to use a device that plugs into a grounded outlet to show that the ground, power and neutral are wired properly?

If it is either of the two above cases, then electrically using the trailer frame/skin for the "safety ground" will work as long as the frame/skin is grounded at the panel. There may be undesirable side effects, such as electrolysis corrosion.

[ttbikes]

Originally Posted by sgschwend

It sounds like you want to install a ground fault circuit interrupter the outlet?
Or were you wishing to use a device that plugs into a grounded outlet to show that the ground, power and neutral are wired properly?

If it is either of the two above cases, then electrically using the trailer frame/skin for the "safety ground" will work as long as the frame/skin is grounded at the panel. There may be undesirable side effects, such as electrolysis corrosion.

I want to use a voltage monitor that has a ground fault indicator in my 64 airstream which has two prong outlets. These types of monitoring systems are 3 pronged. I would keep this plunged into the outlet to monitor voltage while on shore power. I can replace the 2 prong outlet with a 3 prong outlet. I believe it is grounded at the panel. Of course I could change the outlet and see if it shows a ground fault (like it would if I would just use a 2 pronged adapter) but hate to mess with old wiring. Especially if it' is in tight spot and if is not going to work.

[alano]

Why don't you use your three-prong monitor to confirm that there are no faults at the exterior outlet and then connect your trailer? In most cases a fault in a shore power outlet would already be present, so checking the exterior outlet before connecting your trailer makes sense. Rarely would you find a shore power fault occur after connecting to shore power - with the exception of high and low voltage surges.

[ttbikes]

Originally Posted by alano

Why don't you use your three-prong monitor to confirm that there are no faults at the exterior outlet and then connect your trailer? In most cases a fault in a shore power outlet would already be present, so checking the exterior outlet before connecting your trailer makes sense. Rarely would you find a shore power fault occur after connecting to shore power - with the exception of high and low voltage surges.

Thanks for the help every one. I think I will change out a plug and see. I am thinking of changing all the plugs any way just I can stop carrying adapters.

It is probably me being paranoid but I worry about an old trailers grounding system failing. I do check the shore power before hooking up. I do currently use a two pronged voltage meter. I bought a new monitor that has a audio warnings system with ground vault and polarizations warnings which I like but did not think about it being 3 pronged at purchase.