GFCI Did Not Trip - Cord fell to ground and current melted plug

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sd105

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Outdoor GFCI with HD extension cord feeding Mosquito Magnet bug light (total load about 20W) fell to ground and was covered by water during storm.

Current proceeded to travel through side of cord socket/ receptacle and melted plastic body. Eventually panel breaker tripped, but GFCI never did.

Thoughts???
 
Provided that the current went from the hot conductor to the grounded conductor without touching any external grounds, the GFCI rightfully won't trip. This is the other issue with wiring is that in certain places enough current can flow to cause a hazard even without tripping the breaker. This is why connections need to be made in boxes, wires joined with listed airtight connectors, arc faults exist, etc...
 
The GFCI failure rate if fairly significant (google "GFCI failure).
Standards on the newer GFCIs require they "self-check" but the older ones did not have this feature.
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Current from line to line is seen as normal circuit current.

Only current from line to earth, EGC, or other surface is seen as a shocking current.
 
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