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What size ground wire on a 50 amp 230V four wire circuit?
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bleedred
Posted 1/1/2014 10:33 (#3563209 - in reply to #3563077)
Subject: Re: What size ground wire on a 50 amp 230V four wire circuit?



East Central Ia
Gerald J. - 1/1/2014 08:58

Old codes did allow a reduced size ground but I think that's no longer true. The function of the ground is to carry current IF there is a short to the case and to do that with a low enough voltage drop to prevent a shock hazard to people and critters and a fire hazard from the ground wire heating up. A reduced size ground does NOT accomplish that.

Gerald J.


A properly sized circuit breaker will trip long before a reduced size ground wire will heat up. That is why the NEC allows reduced and shared grounds... They only carry current in an emergency fault situation.

That being said... I find it interesting that all wires in romex are of equal size. Probably to make things more idiot proof for the residential week end warriors.
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