GFCI socket keeps tripping because of too many strip centers

[Build-A-Burger]

I have an off-grid cabin which I supply electric power via a 6500 watt generator. I have a 10ga wire w/gnd going into the cabin and it goes to a strip center which have plugs to other strip centers. When I have all the appliances off and the strip centers on, and try to plug into the generator (after it has had time to warm up), it trips the GFCI socket. All I can figure is that there's some kind of capacitance inside the strip centers that causes a sharp current draw, initially, enough to make the GFCI socket think there's a short or ground. Is there anything I can do to remedy this?

 

[betwixt]

If you have a test meter: with all the power off and all appliances off, measure the resistance between each AC line and from each AC line to ground. You should have a very high resistance, ideally infinitely high between each test points. I assume you have an Earth wire between the generator and sockets as well as the AC lines, it might be worth checking it is connected and also that there is a real 'ground beneath your feet' Earth connection back at the generator.

Brian.

 

[Build-A-Burger]

No earth ground. I gathered from the manual for the generator that I didn't need one unless I was hooking up to a house on the grid but with no power. I can put one in just the same. I have some rebar I could pound into the ground.

 

[crutschow]

Sounds like you have some leakage from the Hot wire to the safety ground (that's what the GFCI responds to).
Make the resistance measurements that betwixt suggested.

 

[RCinFLA]

GFI's require the current on the hot line precisely matches the neutral line current. You can draw 15-20 amps and have less then 1 mA mismatch and trip a GFI.

Power strips that have surge protection devices to ground often trip GFI because the surge suppressors have a little leakage current.

 

[betwixt]

The current has to be going somewhere and 'Build-a-burger' says there is no ground connection!
Obviously that can't be the case or the GFCI couldn't operate.

Brian.