I have a number of submersible pumps that I use in my hydroponic greenhouse. Most have grounding pins (green conductor) on the plugs. This means that there is likely to be some salt solution on the floor. There is some leakage from the hot to the ground internal to the pump. Sometimes, this is enough to trip the GFCI, especially with an inductive kick. This leakage ordinarily does not give a problem except for the tripping.
GFIC protection would still be present if the ground wire were clipped off. That is, if there was leakage to ground, there still would be an imbalance between neutral and hot currents that would cause tripping. With the ground open, there would be no where for the leakage current to flow.
It looks like, with the leakage present, one can have either the protection of a ground or that of GFIC but not both.
What does the Electrical Code have to say about that kind of a situation?
Bill
-- Fermez le Bush--about two years to go.