46 CFR §120.380
Verified against eCFR.gov as of June 20, 2026View official text on eCFR.gov ↗
- (a)Overcurrent protection must be provided for each ungrounded conductor for the purpose of opening the electric circuit if the current reaches a value that causes an excessive or dangerous temperature in the conductor or conductor insulation.
- (b)The grounded conductor of a circuit must not be disconnected by a switch or circuit breaker, unless the ungrounded conductors are simultaneously disconnected.
- (c)A conductor of a control, interlock, or indicator circuit, such as a conductor for an instrument, pilot light, ground detector light, or potential transformer, must be protected by an overcurrent device.
- (d)Conductors must be protected in accordance with their current carrying capacities. If the allowable current carrying capacity does not correspond to a standard device size, the next larger overcurrent device may be used provided it does not exceed 150 per cent of the conductor current carrying capacity.
- (e)Steering gear control system circuits must be protected against short circuit.
- (f)Each steering gear feeder circuit must be protected by a circuit breaker that meets the requirements of § 58.25-55 in subchapter F of this chapter.
- (g)Each lighting branch circuit must be protected against overcurrent either by fuses or circuit breakers rated at not more than 30 amperes.
- (h)Overcurrent devices capable of carrying the starting current of the motor must be installed to protect motors, motor conductors, and control apparatus against:
- (1)Overcurrent due to short circuits or ground faults; and
- (2)Overload due to motor running overcurrent, in accordance with § 111.70-1 in subchapter J of this chapter. A protective device integral with the motor, which is responsive to both motor current and temperature, may be used.
- (i)An emergency switch must be provided in the normally ungrounded main supply conductor from a battery. The switch must be accessible and located as close to the battery as practicable.
- (j)Disconnect means must be provided on the supply side of and adjacent to all fuses for the purpose of de-energizing the fuses for inspection and maintenance purposes.
- (k)If the disconnect means is not within sight of the equipment that the circuit supplies, means must be provided for locking the disconnect device in the open position.
- (l)Fuses must be of the cartridge type only and be listed by Underwriters Laboratories or another independent laboratory recognized by the Commandant.
- (m)Each circuit breaker must meet UL 489, “Molded-Case Circuit Breakers and Circuit Breaker Enclosures,” or other standard specified by the Commandant, and be of the manually reset type designed for:
- (n)Each circuit breaker must indicate whether it is in the open or closed position.