USCG Exam PracticeElectrical safety and general safety
A vessel has a nonmetallic hull. Which of the following grounding requirements applies to its electrical system?
- A. Each piece of electrical equipment must have its own independent ground rod driven into the keel.
- ✓ A continuous, non-current-carrying grounding conductor must connect equipment enclosures and metallic items such as engines and fuel tanks to a common ground point.Correct
- C. Grounding is not required on nonmetallic hulls because there is no conductive path to sea.
- D. Metallic enclosures must be grounded individually to the engine block only.
Why B is correct
46 CFR §28.350(f) specifically addresses nonmetallic hull vessels, requiring a continuous, non-current-carrying grounding conductor that connects equipment enclosures and metallic items such as engines, fuel tanks, and equipment enclosures to a common ground point. Grounding is not waived simply because the hull is nonmetallic.
Cited:46 CFR §28.350