Does a 12v shortstop beaker need to be grounded?

[Meili]

I am designing my 12v underhood electrical panel and have a question.

The actual panel material is non-conductive.

Does a 12v shortstop type breaker need to be grounded to work?

Normal fuses obviously don't, but since these reset I thought they might?

Let me know.

Thanks

 

[Meili]

Could not find the direct answer searching the net but...

I found similar breakers with plastic housing so I am going to assume the answer to my question is NO.

 

[reidbailey]

No ground needed


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[dwh]

Only GFI breakers need to be grounded. Normal fuses and breakers don't.

Auto reset shortstops reset when the overload goes away. They also make shortstops that have to have the power turned off before they reset, but those usually have to be special ordered, most places don't carry them.

 

[dwh]

And they aren't waterproof, so mount them so the housing can't fill up with water.

 

[doug720]

And they aren't waterproof, so mount them so the housing can't fill up with water.

This is important if these are mounted anywhere water can reach them, even in the engine compartment. I had under the hood and water traveled to it and it internally shorted out and burnt a hole in the case.

 

[dwh]

I am surprised dwh !! Common misconception.
Excepting a grounding connection is normally required for its test button to operate...
GFI breaker simply wants to see balanced current of two or more conductors. Neither grounding or grounded conductor is required for its GFCI function.

I did _not_ say, "GFI needs to be grounded".

I said, "only GFI breakers need to be grounded" (other breakers and fuses don't).

You ever see a GFI breaker with no grounding pigtail? I haven't.

(But yes, I do know it's to create a path for the test button to be able to work by leaking a little to ground to create a current imbalance between hot and neutral. )

 

[verdesard0g]

What's all this nonsense about house wiring? The question was about a 12V breaker. Come on guys focus......

 

[dwh]

The pigtail is not a ground, Otherwise it would be green or bare. Its a grounded conductor.

Hah! You are on a roll today! Here we go again!

I did _not_ say it was a ground. I said it was a "grounding pigtail". I.e. a "grounded conductor".

Btw, depending on design, test button can also leak current bypassing the balance sensor without leaking it to ground, polyphase GFI for example.

Theoretically, but like I said, I've never actually seen one. Have you?

 

[dwh]

What's all this nonsense about house wiring? The question was about a 12V breaker. Come on guys focus......

The OP's question was asked and answered. Now it's Miller Time.