Paul
I understand that, my only point was that a test outside of the 'Internal Electronics', would be a sure way to test it, aside from pushing the button.
Don
dont know how many amps/miliamps it draws to energise it, the point is the GFCI is suppose to trip when the comparator inside the gfci is switched, and that happens at about 6ma, as a matter of fact any differential amp will switch at that current, my whole idea was to use something other than the internal test button, and yes the grounded surface could become energised, but I am not making a permanent connection there either only for the purpose of a test.
The internal test is sort of a sterle test unto itself, the internal resistor is calibrated to set the device of at the trip point, I was suggesting a way to test it without an egc being present, where in old construction there is no equipment ground but oft times there is plenty of grounded surfaces available.
mark
