(a) All metallic enclosures and frames of electrical equipment must be permanently grounded to the hull on a metallic vessel. On a nonmetallic vessel, the enclosures and frames of electrical equipment must be bonded together to a common ground by a normally non-current carrying conductor. Metallic cases of instruments and secondary windings of instrument transformers must be grounded.

(b) On a nonmetallic vessel, where a ground plate is provided for radio equipment, it must be connected to the common ground.

(c) Equipment grounding conductors must be sized in accordance with Section 250-96 of NFPA 70 (incorporated by reference; see 46 CFR 175.600), or other standard specified by the Commandant.

(d) Each insulated grounding conductor of a cable must be identified by one of the following means:

(1) A green braid or green insulation;

(2) Stripping the insulation from the entire exposed length of the grounding conductor; or

(3) Marking the exposed insulation of the grounding conductor with green tape or green adhesive labels.

(e) Cable armor must not be used to ground electrical equipment or systems.

[CGD 85-080, 61 FR 997, Jan. 10, 1996, as amended by USCG-2003-16630, 73 FR 65210, Oct. 31, 2008]