Overview

Equipment grounding conductors (EGCs) are required by the NEC to provide a purposeful path for fault current to effectively return to the source, and actuate the appropriate overcurrent protection device. Two changes have taken place in the 2023 NEC regarding EGCs. The first change is simply clarification regarding multiple circuits in a single box, has been reversed several times throughout the code cycles. The second change is in regards to bonding conductor sizing within a junction box. The electrical professional will need to be aware of these two changes to properly apply this version of the Code.

Applying the 2023 Code

Two changes have been made in Section 250.148 in the 2023 code cycle. The first change occurs in Subdivision 250.148(A), which now requires all equipment grounding conductors spliced or terminated in a box, regardless of if they are different circuits or not, to be spliced together. This rule has been added and removed numerous times in previous code cycles, and can be confusing to keep straight. The second change occurs in Subdivision 250.148(C), and now requires that all equipment bonding jumpers be sized in accordance with Table 250.122. This change is quite significant from the perspective that many electrical professionals use pre-fabricated ground tails, regardless of what ampere-rating is associated with the device(s). Generally, these ground tails are 12AWG in size. Moving forward, the proper-sized bonding jumpers will have to be selected/fabricated in order to meet the requirements of the 2023 NEC.

What’s New for the 2023 NEC?

2020 NEC

In the 2020 NEC Section 250.148(A) and (C) read as follows:

250.148 Continuity of Equipment Grounding Conductors and Attachment in Boxes.

(A) Connections and Splices.

Connections and splices shall be made in accordance with 110.14(B) except that insulation shall not be required.

(B) [excluded from this preview]

(C) Metal Boxes.

A connection used for no other purpose shall be made between the metal box and the equipment grounding conductor(s) in accordance with 250.8.

(D) [excluded from this preview]

2023 NEC

In the 2023 NEC Section 240.148(A) and (C) now read as follows:

250.148 Continuity of Equipment Grounding Conductors and Attachment in Boxes.

(A) Connections and Splices.

All equipment grounding conductors that are spliced or terminated within the box shall be connected together. Connections and splices shall be made in accordance with 110.14(B) and 250.8 except that insulation shall not be required.

(B) [excluded from this preview]

(C) A connection used for no other purpose shall be made between the metal box and the equipment grounding conductor(s). The equipment bonding jumper or equipment grounding conductor shall be sized from Table 250.122 based on the largest overcurrent device protecting circuit conductors in the box.

(D) [excluded from this preview]