GFCI issue

[RVBuff]

My electric drill works fine when plugged directly into the campground's 20-amp GFCI outlet, but the outlet trips every time I try to use the drill with an extension cord. It has happened several times at different campground pedestals. I have tested the cord with a tester and it checks out OK. The drill has only a two-prong plug, without the separate grounding prong. What's going on?

[Dwilcox]

Have you tried a different cord. Just cuz it tests ok, does not seem that nothing is wrong with it., and I assume the drill is a double insulated tool, not a you made it a 2 prong cord? If there is a mild contact between the ground and neutral on the cord it could cause the GFCI to trip.

[RVBuff]

Thanks for the suggestion. I can't check it out right now, because the cord and drill are in a trailer which is in storage.

[Craigmkd]

Originally Posted by RVBuff

My electric drill works fine when plugged directly into the campground's 20-amp GFCI outlet, but the outlet trips every time I try to use the drill with an extension cord. It has happened several times at different campground pedestals. I have tested the cord with a tester and it checks out OK. The drill has only a two-prong plug, without the separate grounding prong. What's going on?

If you know your cord is good it might not be heavy enough gauge creating voltage drop and increased amp draw. I would suggest min 14 gauge extension cord 12 even better if it is long.