The size of the equipment grounding conductor is determined by the size of the what?

The size of the equipment grounding conductor is determined by the size of the system overcurrent device. This principle ensures that the grounding conductor is adequately sized to carry any fault current that may occur before the overcurrent protective device, such as a circuit breaker or fuse, disconnects the supply.

When selecting the appropriate size for the equipment grounding conductor, it is important to consider the rating of the overcurrent protective device because this device will determine the maximum fault current that could potentially flow through the grounding conductor. Proper sizing of the grounding conductor is essential for ensuring both safety and compliance with electrical codes, providing a low-resistance path for fault current, which helps to clear the fault by tripping the overcurrent device.

This focus on the overcurrent device helps maintain system integrity and protects equipment and personnel by reducing the risk of electric shock or fire due to a fault condition.