GFCI Adapter?

[ricklev]

I have an old dryer in the bathroom that is not grounded.  As I was showering today with the dryer on it occured to me that doing so was probably a fairly high risk activity.  It's a rented condo and I don't want to install a GFIC socket.

 

Will this protect me?   https://www.aliexpress.com/item/10A-220V-2-Pins-US-Plug-GFCI-Leakage-Protection-Safety-MINI-RCD-Socket-Adaptor-Home-Circuit/32820866640.html?spm=2114.search0104.3.75.2f116b27YQKT7e&ws_ab_test=searchweb0_0,searchweb201602_5_10152_10846_10065_10151_10344_10068_10342_10343_10059_10340_10341_10696_100031_10084_10083_10103_10618_10624_10307_10623_10622_10621_10620,searchweb201603_2,ppcSwitch_5&algo_expid=35143222-0fa9-4f18-9db0-12877576762e-11&algo_pvid=35143222-0fa9-4f18-9db0-12877576762e&priceBeautifyAB=0

 

Thanks!

Edited July 16, 2018 by ricklev

[bankruatsteve]

It says that is rated for 10 amps.  Seems like a dryer would use more than that?

 

Getting it grounded would be a good start for protection.

 

[KhunBENQ]

47 minutes ago, bankruatsteve said:

It says that is rated for 10 amps.  Seems like a dryer would use more than that?

 

Getting it grounded would be a good start for protection.

 

The label is very meager.

It seems to break at 10 mA leak current within 30 ms.

The exact same model can be found on some Thai sites for about 550 Baht.

 

Better ban all electric devices (except shower heater) from the bathroom and close the receptacle.

Cheap and safe.

Edited July 16, 2018 by KhunBENQ

[ricklev]

Of course, I should properly ground the outlet or I shouldn't use it or I shouldn't have the dryer in the bathroom etc.  However, realistically, I am going to keep using the dryer in the bathroom although with a little more caution...... 

 

So the question is whether a GFCI adapter will provide protection from electrocution?  If the dryer pulls more amps then the adapter is rated for will it trip the circuit?  If it doesn't does that mean it is still working correctly in terms of tripping if there is leakage (or whatever the bad thing is called)?  Thanks for the knowledgeable replies!
 

Edited July 16, 2018 by ricklev

[Crossy]

Yes, it will likely protect you from dying from electric shock (if you are a reasonably healthy adult).

 

No it won't prevent you getting a tingle (maybe pretty strong) from an un-grounded Class-1 appliance.

 

Overloading the beast is unwise, it may not trip at all, or may be damaged if it does trip.

[bankruatsteve]

Your main concern would be "step voltage" which is an earth fault from the machine.  That would probably not happen if you have ground connection.  Putting in a breaker that will likely trip is not a good idea.  Ground is your best protector.

[ricklev]

1 hour ago, Crossy said:

Yes, it will likely protect you from dying from electric shock (if you are a reasonably healthy adult).

 

No it won't prevent you getting a tingle (maybe pretty strong) from an un-grounded Class-1 appliance.

 

Overloading the beast is unwise, it may not trip at all, or may be damaged if it does trip.

Got it.  Thanks.

[Crossy]

Nothing to stop you installing an RCD (GFCI) outlet for the dryer, even in a rental. Just take it with you when you leave and put the original back.

 

[ricklev]

3 hours ago, Crossy said:

Nothing to stop you installing an RCD (GFCI) outlet for the dryer, even in a rental. Just take it with you when you leave and put the original back.

 

What about this?  https://www.aliexpress.com/item/16A-220V-240V-EU-Plug-GFCI-Leakage-Protection-Safety-RCD-Socket-Adaptor-Home-Circuit-Breaker-Cutout/32809381193.html?spm=2114.search0104.3.249.3f7455a16UZQIF&ws_ab_test=searchweb0_0,searchweb201602_5_10152_10151_10065_10068_10344_10342_10325_10546_10343_10340_10548_10341_10696_10084_10083_10618_5723416_10307_10059_100031_10103_10624_10623_10622_10621_10620,searchweb201603_1,ppcSwitch_3&algo_expid=faca00cf-2f25-445f-a359-af1399592b7d-39&algo_pvid=faca00cf-2f25-445f-a359-af1399592b7d&priceBeautifyAB=0

[bankruatsteve]

11 minutes ago, ricklev said:

What about this?  https://www.aliexpress.com/item/16A-220V-240V-EU-Plug-GFCI-Leakage-Protection-Safety-RCD-Socket-Adaptor-Home-Circuit-Breaker-Cutout/32809381193.html?spm=2114.search0104.3.249.3f7455a16UZQIF&ws_ab_test=searchweb0_0,searchweb201602_5_10152_10151_10065_10068_10344_10342_10325_10546_10343_10340_10548_10341_10696_10084_10083_10618_5723416_10307_10059_100031_10103_10624_10623_10622_10621_10620,searchweb201603_1,ppcSwitch_3&algo_expid=faca00cf-2f25-445f-a359-af1399592b7d-39&algo_pvid=faca00cf-2f25-445f-a359-af1399592b7d&priceBeautifyAB=0

Looks good to me.  It seems to be a replacement plug of the Schuko type so you would have to adapt for the ground if your outlet has it.

[impulse]

I'm amazed that someone is actually using a dryer in Asia.  I couldn't even find one when I moved to China in 2000.  After 10 years without, I didn't bother buying one when I moved to Thailand in 2011.  I hope I can do without a dryer when I repatriate.  I haven't really missed one for 18 years, so...

 

But, I digress.

[ricklev]

1 minute ago, impulse said:

I'm amazed that someone is actually using a dryer in Asia.  I couldn't even find one when I moved to China in 2000.  After 10 years without, I didn't bother buying one when I moved to Thailand in 2011.  I hope I can do without a dryer when I repatriate.  I haven't really missed one for 18 years, so...

 

But, I digress.

I.like the convenience during rainy season and the soft towels and T-shirts.  

[impulse]

2 minutes ago, ricklev said:

I.like the convenience during rainy season and the soft towels and T-shirts.  

 

On a more helpful note, Crossy, what would be the pro's and con's of installing one of these locally available RCBO circuit breakers inline, into a single breaker panel installed on the wall near the dryer?

 

https://www.lazada.co.th/products/ac-rcbo-40a-i154191420-s181630252.html

[bankruatsteve]

When it's raining, we take the clothes rack inside, put under a ceiling fan and, with help from the AC, they dry just fine.  The softness comes from the stuff put in the rinse cycle of the washer, I think?

[lopburi3]

13 minutes ago, ricklev said:

I.like the convenience during rainy season and the soft towels and T-shirts.  

Are we talking about a hair dryer, (which one would normally power from an outlet and was stated) or a clothes dryer (which is normally hard wired and very high amperage)?

[Crossy]

2 hours ago, lopburi3 said:

which is normally hard wired and very high amperage

Clothes dryers in 220V countries are rarely hard-wired unless industrial strength.

 

16A @ 220V is 3.5kW

 

[lopburi3]

Perhaps just US models (which tend to be large size) my old 10.1kg Hoover requires - direct to bus bar on inside back of unit and requires 30 amp service.

[bankruatsteve]

2 hours ago, impulse said:

 

On a more helpful note, Crossy, what would be the pro's and con's of installing one of these locally available RCBO circuit breakers inline, into a single breaker panel installed on the wall near the dryer?

 

https://www.lazada.co.th/products/ac-rcbo-40a-i154191420-s181630252.html

I couldn't see what the trip current for the RCD.  You might want to verify for that.  Good price for a RCBO - maybe too good?

[bankruatsteve]

7 minutes ago, lopburi3 said:

Perhaps just US models (which tend to be large size) my old 10.1kg Hoover requires - direct to bus bar on inside back of unit and requires 30 amp service.

All the dryers I had did need 30amp circuit but were plug in with the 30a plug style.  Whatever.

[lopburi3]

4 minutes ago, bankruatsteve said:

I couldn't see what the trip current for the RCD.  You might want to verify for that.  Good price for a RCBO - maybe too good?

I see 30ma on the unit itself.

[bankruatsteve]

1 minute ago, lopburi3 said:

I see 30ma on the unit itself.

OK that's "normal".  My eyes not so good these days.