[A/S] Re: GFI Resolution

[dash7_@xxxxxxxxxxx]

Hi Jack et all, 

I get this list via the digest and I'm a few days behind in my 
reading so I just your first posting on the GFI "problem".  You are 
correct in that it is in the design of the TV.  Some TV's have 
capacitors from the power leads to the internal chassis to supress 
line noise.  There is a small "AC leakage" through these capacitors 
to that chassis.  The threaded part of the antenna connector is also 
tied to this chassis. Normally this is not a problem as the chassis 
is isolated from the outside world by the insulating case and the 
shield of the antenna cable goes to an antenna or cable box that is 
also isolated from the power lines.  However, in your airstream, the 
shield of the antenna cable is probably connected to the frame or 
skin, which is also tied to the "ground" wire of the power system.  
This provides a path for the leakage to ground.  You can prove this 
by connecting an ohmmeter between the shield on the antenna casble 
and the frams or skin of the trailer and see if there is a connection.

If there is a connection between this shield and the trailer, the 
question becomes, should there be.  Your Airstream dealer should be 
able to obtain this info for you. The shield and antenna should not 
require a connection to the trailer skin/frame for proper operation 
and it may be that the antenna cable is "pinched" somewhere in it's 
routing, breaking the insulation and grounding the shield.  Hope this 
helps.

Don (MI)

PS: Back in the early 60's I lived not far from your dealer, just off 
Natural Bridge Rd near St Chas. Rock Rd.  I have many fond memories 
from those days!