grounding new 12v branch circuit
My 12v dist. panel has a fused branch circuit that is not used. I would like to add a few small lights from that lead. My question is, what is the proper, safe way to ground it?. ...Hot wire to the sw...
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NEC? Low voltage DC? Damn I must have Alzheimer's disease. Personally I bond a trailer frame with ONE gauge cable and a 3/8" stainless bolt and stainless Stover lock nut and external tooth lock-washer. Then I smother it with corrosion preventative.
It is poor practice to "ground" small accessories like lights to a trailer skin. Instead, I run the wires to a ground BUSS (Go to home depot and buy the tin plated aluminum ground buss bar to do this). I use two or three in a medium size rig, strategically placed. Then I run an EIGHT gauge yellow wire from the buss bar to the rig's frame. Same principle only I use 1/4" stainless steel bolts. I use YELLOW FOR 12 volt GROUND not black. Black is reserved for 120vac HOT.
The 120vac green earth ground service cord "plug in" from the power pedestal should NEVER be joined to anything except ground circuits leading to 120vac accessories. In short shore power grounds should be GREEN and they should be kept STRICTLY isolated from the frame.
It is poor practice to "ground" small accessories like lights to a trailer skin. Instead, I run the wires to a ground BUSS (Go to home depot and buy the tin plated aluminum ground buss bar to do this). I use two or three in a medium size rig, strategically placed. Then I run an EIGHT gauge yellow wire from the buss bar to the rig's frame. Same principle only I use 1/4" stainless steel bolts. I use YELLOW FOR 12 volt GROUND not black. Black is reserved for 120vac HOT.
The 120vac green earth ground service cord "plug in" from the power pedestal should NEVER be joined to anything except ground circuits leading to 120vac accessories. In short shore power grounds should be GREEN and they should be kept STRICTLY isolated from the frame.
