In an electrical installation should the circuit breaker automatically trip when hot and neutral touch or only when hot and ground touch?

100% current flow between hot and neutral or ground will trip a breaker. That's because the current flow will exceed the ampacity of the breaker. You always need something in between-lights, motor, heater etc. In older panels, ground and neutral were conneced to the same bar so it didn't make any difference, any contact would trip the breaker.

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Originally Posted by ma0641

100% current flow between hot and neutral or ground will trip a breaker. Thats because the current flow will exceed the ampacity of the breaker. You always need something in between-lights, motor, heater etc. In older panels, ground and neutral were conneced to the same bar so it didn't make any difference, any contact would trip the breaker.

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Thank you for your help